Your Career Australia
Does Your UK or Irish Experience Count in Australia?
“I’ve been through this process from both sides,as a recruiter assessing overseas candidates, and as someone who made the move myself. Here’s what actually matters.”
Jane Donnelly, Founder, Axia Bridge
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment is Australia's official confirmation that your UK or Irish qualifications and experience meet their standards. Not a test. Not an interview. In most cases it's a straightforward documentation process and it's what turns a job offer into a visa.
Here's what most people don't realise: you don't need one until you have a job offer. We get you ready in advance, so when that offer comes, nothing slows you down.
Not sure this is your first step? If you're under 35, a Working Holiday visa may suit you better. We'll help you work out which route fits before you commit to anything.
What a positive skills assessment unlocks
Your visa.
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the points-tested independent route (subclass 189), and regional pathways (subclasses 190 and 491) all require a positive skills assessment before your Australian visa can be approved.
Your right to practise.
Teaching and care work are regulated professions in Australia. Your skills assessment is the foundation document for registration with the relevant Australian authority.
Employer confidence.
Official confirmation on Australian regulatory letterhead tells employers that someone credible has already verified your experience. It removes doubt and moves things forward.
Which organisation assesses you?
Applying to the wrong assessing authority means lost time and non-refundable fees. Here's who handles the three sectors Axia Bridge works in.
Care Workers
Your role determines the authority.Nursing Support Workers and Personal Care Assistants are assessed by ANMAC. Aged and Disabled Carers go through ACWA.
UK Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Health and Social Care, and Irish QQI Level 5, are widely recognised as meeting the Australian standard.
Most care workers come through a sponsored route that includes a two-year pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Early Childhood
Your assessing authority is ACECQA. Important: ACECQA replaced AITSL for early years assessments in December 2024. If a guide still points you to AITSL, it's out of date.
The assessment fee is around AUD $1,000, paid directly to ACECQA. Processing takes roughly 80 days.
One thing many UK applicants miss: you need at least 10 days of supervised practice with children under three on your record.
Technology Professionals
Your assessing authority is ACS (Australian Computer Society). UK and Irish Computer Science degrees are well recognised.
Fees sit between AUD $500 and $1,500. Most complete applications are assessed within four to six weeks.
Choosing the right ANZSCO occupation code before you apply is the single most important decision in the process. We help you get that right first.
Where most people make costly mistakes
Knowing which authority assesses you is only half the picture. Knowing which occupation code to apply under is where mistakes happen.
We review your background, responsibilities and qualifications before you spend anything. We match you to the right authority and the right occupation code for your specific situation — not just the obvious one based on your job title.
This single step saves time, money and the frustration of starting again.
Four things that make the difference
Get the occupation right
Assessors look at what you actually do day to day, not your job title. Getting this wrong is the most expensive mistake you can make. We identify the right match before you start.
Get the references right
Generic references won't pass. Every authority wants detailed, specific references covering actual tasks, responsibilities and outcomes. We provide structured templates that give assessors exactly what they need.
Get the documents right
The clock only starts when your application is complete. Every missing document resets the timeline. We review everything before you submit.
Watch the expiry
Most positive assessments are valid for two years and must be valid on the day you lodge your visa. We keep track of this so you don't have to.
How Axia Bridge guides you through
1
Upload your CV and complete your profile.
2
We tailor your CV, document your experience, and prepare your references
3
Your Verified Profile enters the Talent Mobility Hub.
4
You receive a job offer from an Australian employer.
5
We guide you through the skills assessment — everything already prepared, so it moves quickly
The authority fee (typically AUD $500–$1,500) is paid directly to the assessing body at step 5. Never to us. And only once you have a job offer.
Common questions
How long does it take?
ACS (tech): 4–6 weeks. ACECQA (early years): around 80 days. ANMAC and ACWA (care): 8–16 weeks. The clock starts when your application is complete, which is exactly why we make sure it is before you submit.
What if I don't qualify yet?
We'll tell you what's missing and what it takes to get there. No pressure, no sales pitch.
What if I get a negative outcome?
Most authorities allow an appeal within 60 days with additional evidence. It's rarely the end of the road and we'll help you work out the best next step.
How do Axia Bridge make money?
Good question — and we like to be upfront. When an employer hires a verified candidate from our Talent Hub and they start work in Australia, the employer pays us a fixed fee. You never do.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Upload your CV, tell us about your background, and we'll take it from there.Free. Clear from the first click. And the moment everything else begins.
In thirty years of international recruitment, the one thing we’ve learned is that the right preparation makes all the difference. We’ve built Axia Bridge around that single idea — and we’re here to make sure you go in ready.