Paying for a skills assessment from overseas: methods, fees, and what to expect

Fees by assessing authority

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) charges approximately AUD 550 for a standard skills assessment for migration (ACS). Priority processing is available at a higher fee.

Engineers Australia charges approximately AUD 800–1,200 depending on the assessment pathway (Competency Demonstration Report, Washington Accord, or other pathways) (Engineers Australia).

VETASSESS (which assesses a wide range of professional and general occupations) charges approximately AUD 700–1,000 for a standard skills assessment (VETASSESS). Point-test advisory fees are additional.

AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registration fees for health professionals vary by profession. Medical practitioners, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other health professionals each have their own fee schedule, typically AUD 400–900.

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses trade occupations and charges fees in the range of AUD 300–600 for an initial assessment (TRA).

Other assessing authorities (AITSL for teachers, CPA/CA for accountants, AACA for architects) each have their own fee schedules. Check the specific authority for your nominated occupation.

Payment methods accepted

Most assessing authorities accept international credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) through their online application portals. This is the most common payment method for overseas applicants — you enter your card details as part of the online application and the payment is processed in AUD.

Some authorities accept PayPal, which can be convenient if you have a funded PayPal account. Bank transfers (wire transfers) are accepted by some authorities, though this is less common for individual applications due to the processing overhead.

Cheques and money orders are generally not practical for overseas applicants due to postal delays and clearing times.

Currency conversion costs

When you pay in AUD using a non-AUD credit card, your card issuer converts the charge at its prevailing exchange rate and may add a foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3% of the transaction amount). This adds to the total cost of the assessment.

To minimise conversion costs, use a card with low or zero international transaction fees (several Australian and international banks offer these), use a multi-currency card (Wise, Revolut) to convert at the mid-market rate, or if paying by bank transfer, use a specialist transfer provider to send the exact AUD amount rather than your bank's SWIFT transfer with its wider exchange rate margin.

For a AUD 800 assessment fee, a 3% card foreign transaction fee adds AUD 24. Using a zero-fee card or a Wise card eliminates this cost.

Timing

Skills assessment fees are paid at the time of application — they are not payable later or in instalments. The assessment begins only after payment is confirmed. Processing times vary by authority (four to eight weeks is common for standard processing, with priority options available at some bodies), so factor both the payment confirmation time and the assessment processing time into your visa application timeline.

If you are paying by bank transfer, allow additional time for the transfer to be credited and reconciled against your application. Card payments are typically confirmed immediately.

Can I get a refund if my assessment is negative?

Most assessing authorities do not refund the assessment fee regardless of the outcome. The fee covers the cost of the assessment process, not a guaranteed positive result. Check the refund policy of your specific assessing authority before paying.

Do I need to pay in AUD?

Yes. Assessment fees are denominated and charged in AUD. Your card issuer or bank handles the conversion from your local currency.

Can I pay for someone else's assessment?

Most authorities accept third-party payments (for example, a family member paying on behalf of the applicant). Ensure the payment is clearly linked to the correct application by including the applicant's name or reference number.

Is the assessment fee tax-deductible?

Skills assessment fees for migration purposes are generally not tax-deductible in Australia, as they are incurred before you are earning assessable income. Consult a registered tax agent if your situation is unusual.

What if my card payment is declined?

International card payments can be declined due to your bank's fraud controls blocking an unexpected overseas transaction. Contact your bank before making the payment to flag the upcoming AUD charge, or try a different card.