If you are planning a skilled visa application and VETASSESS is your assessing authority, the new fee change from 9 September 2026 matters. VETASSESS has announced that application fees for Professional Skills Assessments will increase from that date, with the change also affecting several related services.

This update is relevant to both onshore and offshore applicants who need a VETASSESS assessment for migration pathways such as skilled independent, state nominated, employer sponsored or DAMA-linked applications. It is also worth noting that Home Affairs may change visa application charges separately, so skills assessment fees and visa fees should be checked as two different costs. Home Affairs fees are listed separately from VETASSESS charges, and the VETASSESS announcement is available on the official VETASSESS notice.

What VETASSESS has announced

On 7 August 2026, VETASSESS published a notice confirming that fees for Professional Skills Assessments will increase from 9 September 2026. VETASSESS says the increase will apply in line with inflation and Australian Government guidance. The organisation also states that applications received before 9 September 2026 will be charged at the current rates.

The fee update covers a wider range of services than the main skills assessment product alone. According to VETASSESS, the increase also applies to Priority Processing, Skills Assessment Support, Chinese Qualification Verification, non-migration skills assessments and administration fees. The full fee schedule is published on the professional occupations fees page.

Which applicants are affected

This change affects applicants using VETASSESS for professional occupations. It is particularly relevant for skilled migration applicants whose visa pathway depends on a positive skills assessment, including many applicants for subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 491 and employer-sponsored or agreement-based pathways where VETASSESS is the nominated authority.

VETASSESS has also made clear that the fee increase does not apply to trade occupations. If your occupation is assessed by another authority, such as Trades Recognition Australia, you should check the relevant authority’s own fee schedule instead of relying on VETASSESS pricing.

• Professional occupations assessed by VETASSESS
• Priority Processing requests for eligible applications
• Skills Assessment Support services
• Chinese Qualification Verification and other related assessment products
• Non-migration skills assessments and administration fees

How the new VETASSESS fees work

VETASSESS publishes its own fees separately from visa application charges. That means an applicant may need to budget for both the skills assessment fee and the visa application charge. If you are also paying for English tests, police checks, health examinations or state nomination charges, these should be treated as separate costs as well. Home Affairs publishes visa fees on its fees and charges page.

The practical point for applicants is simple: if your VETASSESS application is expected to be lodged near the changeover date, timing matters. Lodging before 9 September 2026 may preserve the current fee, provided the application is actually received by VETASSESS before that date. Applicants should not assume that payment alone is enough if the application itself is incomplete or not successfully submitted.

For professional occupations, VETASSESS has published updated prices for several products. As listed on its fee schedule, a full skills assessment for applicants inside Australia is AUD 1,205.60, while the non-resident price is AUD 1,096.00. Priority Processing is listed separately at AUD 907.50 inside Australia and AUD 825.00 for non-residents. Other published amounts include reassessment, reissue, appeal and renewal charges, each with its own conditions.

Because VETASSESS may update the exact fees again, applicants should check the live fee schedule rather than relying on older copies or third-party summaries. The best source is the current VETASSESS fee chart, together with the relevant service page for your occupation.

What this means for skilled visa applicants

A skills assessment is often one of the first practical steps in a skilled migration strategy. For many applicants, it is needed before submitting an Expression of Interest, state nomination application or visa application. A fee increase can therefore affect both the overall budget and the timing of the migration plan.

Applicants should also be aware that a positive skills assessment does not, by itself, mean a visa will be granted. The assessment is only one part of the broader migration process, which may also involve points testing, invitation rounds, state or territory criteria, English language evidence, age limits, work experience, registration requirements and health and character checks.

Applicants who may need to act sooner

If you are preparing to lodge within the next few weeks, the new fee date matters more than if you are still gathering documents. In practice, applicants who already have employment references, qualification evidence, identity documents and any required translations ready are in the best position to decide whether to lodge before 9 September 2026.

If your file still needs significant preparation, rushing to beat a fee increase may not be sensible. Submitting an incomplete or weak application can create delays, extra costs, or an unfavourable outcome that is more expensive than the fee increase itself.

Onshore and offshore applicants should budget differently

VETASSESS lists different amounts depending on whether the applicant is an Australian resident for tax purposes. That means onshore and offshore applicants may not pay the same total fee. Applicants should check the correct price category before paying, especially where GST may apply.

Common VETASSESS fee-related mistakes

Fee changes often create avoidable mistakes. Some applicants rely on old screenshots or social media posts. Others assume the same fee applies to every occupation, every product or every assessment authority. Another common mistake is forgetting that a skills assessment fee is usually separate from visa, nomination and supporting-document costs.

• Using an out-of-date fee schedule instead of the live VETASSESS page
• Assuming trade occupations are affected when VETASSESS says they are not
• Lodging late and missing the pre-9 September 2026 fee window
• Confusing a VETASSESS assessment fee with Home Affairs visa charges
• Submitting documents without checking whether employment evidence meets the relevant assessment standard

Documents and evidence to prepare early

Although VETASSESS fee changes are the headline issue, applicants should not lose sight of the actual evidence needed for a successful assessment. The exact documents depend on the occupation and pathway, but professional applicants commonly need identity documents, qualification records, transcripts, employment references, organisational charts, position descriptions, payslips and tax or registration evidence where relevant.

VETASSESS states on its website that a skills assessment evaluates qualifications and employment experience to determine whether the applicant has the skills and knowledge needed for the nominated occupation in Australia. Applicants should therefore use the time before the fee increase to make sure the assessment file is complete and consistent with the occupation requirements shown on the VETASSESS homepage.

How to decide whether to lodge before 9 September 2026

A sensible decision usually comes down to three questions. First, is your occupation actually assessed by VETASSESS? Second, is your application document-ready now, or will it require more work? Third, does your broader migration plan depend on a fast skills assessment for invitation, nomination or employer sponsorship timing?

If the answer to all three is yes, lodging before the change date may be worth considering. If the answer is no, it may be better to focus on quality, accuracy and completeness rather than simply chasing the earlier fee.

Applicants should also remember that priority processing is not available for every case. Even where it is offered, it is a separate fee and does not override the need for correct evidence. A faster service is not the same thing as a stronger application.

Frequently asked questions

Do the new fees apply to trade occupations?

No. VETASSESS has stated that the September 2026 increase does not apply to trade occupations. Trade applicants should check the fee information published by the relevant trade assessing authority.

What if I lodge before 9 September 2026?

VETASSESS says applications received before 9 September 2026 will be charged at the current rates. Applicants should make sure the application is fully submitted and accepted by VETASSESS before relying on the old fee.

Is this the same as a visa fee increase?

No. This is a VETASSESS assessment fee change, not a Home Affairs visa charge change. Visa application costs are set separately by the Australian Government and can change on a different timetable.

Should I use a migration agent for a skills assessment?

That depends on the complexity of your case. If you are unsure about your occupation, evidence, timing or broader visa strategy, speaking with an OMARA-registered migration agent can help you understand the process and reduce avoidable errors.

What to do next

If you are preparing a skilled visa pathway, check three things now: whether VETASSESS is the correct assessing authority for your occupation, whether your documents are ready, and whether the 9 September 2026 fee change affects your budget or timing. If you are close to lodging, review the live VETASSESS fee page and the relevant Home Affairs visa information before you submit anything.

If you would like help understanding how a VETASSESS assessment fits into your broader migration plan, you can review AEMSA Migration’s services on the AEMSA Migration website and then seek advice from a registered migration agent about your individual circumstances.

General information only: this article provides general guidance about VETASSESS fee changes and related migration issues. It is not personal migration advice. Your circumstances should be reviewed by an OMARA-registered migration agent before you make decisions about lodging a skills assessment or visa application.