Refers to an assessment of your skills and qualifications in regards to Australian standards for the applicant’s nominated occupation.  The applicant’s skills assessment is the first piece of evidence they need in order to progress with your General Skilled Migration application.  It must be a full General Skilled Migration skills assessment, provisional skills assessments (for example, 485) are not accepted. Skills assessments must have been issued within the last three years or if the skills assessing authority has specified a shorter validity period, the skills assessment is only be valid until that specified date. The skills assessment must be valid at time of nomination decision.  Links to relevant Skills Assessing Authorities can also be found on the State Nominated Occupation Lists. Copies of qualifications or certificates in lieu of a positive Skills assessment will not be accepted.