Australia's leading independent skills assessment authority, VETASSESS has cancelled all offshore assessments in line with Commonwealth Government guidelines around the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Highlights:
- VETASSESS has cancelled some offshore practical trade assessments for migration.
- Skills assessments for professional occupations are continuing as normal.
- Applicants in four countries, including India, are affected.
A statement by the VETASSESS said that it has decided to cancel all offshore assessments effective immediately.
VETASSESS provides assessment outcomes for applicants, governments and countries across the globe.
It is an independent skills assessment authority in Australia.
Assessments for professional occupations are not affected by this, but it will affect planned offshore assessments for some trades.
In India, the evaluation was scheduled from May 19-22, 2020 for the Electrician (general) trade.
Brisbane-based migration expert Suman Dua says this change will affect many applicants as until they clear the practical assessment, they cannot get their full skills assessments.
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“It will also mean that now they will have to wait longer to become eligible to lodge their Expression of interest in the skills select system. Also, they do not have any alternative and will have to wait until VETASSESS reopens the offshore assessments,” Ms Dua told SBS Hindi.
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Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and VETASSESS will contact the affected applicants who were planning to attend the VETASSESS offshore assessment venue.
VETASSESS says it will monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and will advise Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) when offshore assessments can resume.
Source: AAP
Other countries affected by this decision are South Africa, the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
