ACWA skills assessment: requirements and how to apply

Key facts

Assessment types: Three pathways: general skilled visa occupations (MLTSSL/STSOL), Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) occupations, and Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) occupations. Some occupations are DAMA only.
Qualification: Set per occupation. For Community Worker (411711): a Community Work Australia accredited diploma or higher, a recognised relevant bachelor's degree, or a relevant community services diploma or higher (AQF level 5). No more than 40% recognition of prior learning (RPL) is accepted. Welfare Worker needs a relevant bachelor's degree.
Experience: For Community Worker with a relevant diploma or higher: at least 1 year of full-time (30+ hours a week) or part-time equivalent paid post-qualification experience in the last 4 years. Accredited qualification holders are deemed to have it through field placements. Currency is also needed, such as a qualification under 4 years old.
English: A test within 3 years of applying: for tests from 7 August 2025, IELTS (General or Academic) 7 in each band, or PTE Academic Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76 (other tests listed). Or a bachelor's or higher degree studied in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or a previous suitable outcome.
Main documents: At least three identity documents (passport plus two others), English evidence (general skilled occupations), qualification and transcript, field placement evidence where relevant, a resume with two referees, position descriptions and employer letters for all work claims, and industry currency evidence. High-resolution colour scans only.
Fee: As printed on 4 October 2026 (GST inclusive, no date shown on the page): full skills assessment for general skilled occupations AUD 965; DAMA AUD 965; ACILA AUD 595; internal review AUD 500; external appeal AUD 750; Migration Points Test Advice or renewal AUD 150 to AUD 300; reissue AUD 80.
Processing time: General skilled visa occupations 10 to 12 weeks; DAMA 6 to 8 weeks; ACILA 4 to 6 weeks (page last updated 22 November 2025). These are approximate. There is no paid fast-track; priority requests with evidence can be emailed after submitting and are considered case by case.
Validity: A skills assessment is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. After it expires, a new application under the current guidelines is needed.
How to apply: Create an account in the Community Work Australia skills assessment portal, select the program (general skilled, DAMA or ACILA), complete the online form, upload documents and pay on submission. One occupation per application. Applications are not accepted by email, and outcomes are sent by email.

What ACWA assesses

Community Work Australia, formerly the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA), says it is the government-approved authority for assessing community work professionals who want to migrate to Australia under select occupations (get a skills assessment). It adopted its current name in 2024 (our history), and the Department of Home Affairs lists it as Community Work Australia Limited (assessing authorities). The full list is on its occupations page.

Assessment pathways

General skilled visa occupations (MLTSSL/STSOL): the full skills assessment, including English (source).
Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA): for DAMA occupations, including some assessed for DAMA only, such as Parole or Probation Officer and Refuge Worker (source).
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA): for Aged or Disabled Carer (source).

Requirements

Each occupation has its own criteria for qualification, English, and employment and currency.

Qualification: diploma-level occupations such as Community Worker need a relevant diploma (AQF level 5) or higher (Community Worker). Welfare Worker needs a relevant bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) and 2 years of full-time industry experience in the last 4 years (Welfare Worker).
English (general skilled occupations): a recent accepted test taken at a test centre, study in English in a listed country, or a previous suitable outcome. Employment is no longer accepted as English evidence from 7 August 2025 (Community Worker).
Employment and currency: paid, direct-service work at the required skill level after qualifying, plus evidence that skills are current (Community Worker).

How to apply

Check the occupations and read the criteria for the nominated occupation.
Gather documents using the document checklist.
Create an account in the skills assessment portal.
Select the program, complete the online form and pay the fee on submission (how to apply).
Track progress in the portal and receive the outcome by email. Reviews and appeals must be lodged within 28 days of the outcome.

Common reasons for delays or unsuitable outcomes

Community Work Australia says applications can take longer when documents are missing, or when documents can't be verified or referees and employers can't be contacted (processing times). Submitting the wrong documents delays processing, and certified copies, black and white scans and low-resolution scans are not accepted (document checklist). Once an application is "In progress", additional documents can no longer be accepted (FAQs).

Common questions

Is ACWA now Community Work Australia?

Yes. The organisation says it was the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) and adopted the name Community Work Australia in 2024. Home Affairs lists Community Work Australia Limited as the assessing authority.

What occupations does ACWA assess?

Community Work Australia assesses occupations including Welfare Worker, Community Worker, Disability Services Officer, Family Support Worker, Residential Care Officer, Youth Worker, Welfare Centre Manager and Aged or Disabled Carer. Some, such as Refuge Worker, are assessed for DAMA only.

How long does an ACWA skills assessment take?

Community Work Australia lists about 10 to 12 weeks for general skilled visa occupations, 6 to 8 weeks for DAMA and 4 to 6 weeks for ACILA. Missing documents or problems contacting employers can make it take longer.

How much does an ACWA skills assessment cost?

As printed on 4 October 2026, a full skills assessment for general skilled occupations is AUD 965 (GST inclusive). A DAMA assessment is also AUD 965 and an ACILA assessment is AUD 595.

What English score does ACWA need?

For tests from 7 August 2025, IELTS (General or Academic) 7 in each band, or PTE Academic Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69 and Speaking 76, taken within 3 years of applying. A degree studied in English in certain countries can be used instead.

How long is an ACWA skills assessment valid?

Community Work Australia says a skills assessment is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

Community Work Australia (ACWA) skills assessment