Table of Contents
- What Is VETASSESS & Why Is Grouping Important?
- What is VETASSESS?
- Overview of VETASSESS Groups A–E
- How to Identify Your VETASSESS Group (Step-by-Step)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Final Thoughts
Understanding VETASSESS Groups A, B, C, D & E: Which One Are You?
If you’re applying for the VETASSESS Skills Assessment for Australia, one of the first—and most confusing—steps is understanding which VETASSESS group (A, B, C, D, or E) your occupation belongs to. Your group determines qualification requirements, experience criteria, documentation rules, and how your employment is assessed.
For applicants in Dubai and across the UAE, this is especially important because many skilled professionals—especially those in HR, Marketing, Business, Management, Education, Hospitality, and Creative roles—are assessed by VETASSESS. Knowing your group early helps you prepare strong documents and avoid costly mistakes.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly what each group means, how to identify your category, what documents you need, and how VETASSESS evaluates your skill level.
What Is VETASSESS & Why Is Grouping Important?
VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) is Australia’s largest skills-assessment authority, responsible for evaluating more than 300+ professional occupations for skilled migration.
But not all occupations are judged equally. To maintain fairness and accuracy, VETASSESS sorts occupations into five groups (A–E) based on:
• Required qualification level
• Field of study relevance
• Years of experience
• Industry skill complexity
• Core vs. supporting responsibilities
Your VETASSESS group determines:
Required AQF equivalency
• How many years of experience you need
• Whether you need relevant education
• How your employment is verified
• Processing expectations
• Chances of approval
Understanding your group is crucial to success—especially if you’re applying from Dubai, where titles often differ from Australian standards.
What is VETASSESS?
VETASSESS is Australia’s largest vocational education and training assessment services provider, designated by the Department of Home Affairs to conduct skills assessments for specific occupations. Operating since 1990, VETASSESS evaluates whether your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation.
Primary Functions:
- ● Assessing overseas qualifications against Australian standards
- ● Verifying employment experience relevance and duration
- ● Determining occupational competency for skilled migration
- ● Providing skills assessment reports for visa applications
VETASSESS handles assessments for over 360 professional, managerial, and trade occupations not covered by other designated assessing authorities.
Why VETASSESS Groups Matter for Australian Migration
Understanding your VETASSESS group directly impacts your migration timeline and success rate. Each group has different educational requirements, work experience criteria, and assessment timelines. Applying under the wrong assumptions can result in:
● Application rejection and wasted assessment fees ($1,086 AUD as of 2025)
● Extended processing times while gathering additional documentation
● Visa ineligibility if you don’t meet minimum requirements
● Delayed migration plans by 6-12 months or more
Australian immigration authorities require positive skills assessment outcomes before you can lodge most skilled migration visa applications, including subclasses 189, 190, and 491.
Essential Points to Remember:
✅ VETASSESS divides occupations into 5 groups (A-E) based on qualification levels
✅ Group A requires bachelor degree or higher qualification only
✅ Groups B-D require specific qualifications PLUS relevant work experience
✅ Group E occupations don’t mandate formal qualifications
✅ Work experience must be post-qualification in most cases
✅ “Highly relevant” experience means 80%+ job duties match your nominated occupation
✅ All experience must be paid, full-time (or full-time equivalent), and within the last 10 years
✅ Assessment processing takes 12-20 weeks on average
Overview of VETASSESS Groups A–E
Here is a quick summary before we go deeper:
| Group | Qualification Required | Experience Required | Occupation Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Highly relevant Bachelor/Master | 1–3+ years | Management Consultant |
| B | Bachelor (some flexibility) | 2–4+ years | HR Advisor, Marketing Specialist |
| C | Any Bachelor (plus experience) | 3+ years | Sales Manager, Hospitality Manager |
| D | Diploma/Certificate | 3+ years | Technical roles |
| E | No formal degree (experience-heavy) | 5+ years | Certain creative or vocational roles |
✔ VETASSESS Group A Explained
What Is Group A?
VETASSESS Group A includes occupations requiring high-level academic qualifications closely related to the nominated role.
Group A occupations demand:
● A highly relevant Bachelor degree OR
● A Master’s degree (highly relevant)
● Post-qualification experience
Examples of Group A Occupations
● Management Consultant
● Policy Analyst
● Economist
● Social Worker
●Business Analyst (non-ICT)
Who Typically Fits Group A?
Professionals with specialized academic backgrounds, often working in analytical, advisory, or research-driven roles.
Dubai Insight
In the UAE, job titles can be broad. For example, “Consultant,” “Advisor,” or “Analyst” may not match Australian ANZSCO responsibilities.
Group A applicants must ensure their job duties match Australian standards, not just UAE job titles.
✔ VETASSESS Group B Explained
What Is Group B?
Group B occupations require a relevant bachelor’s degree, with slightly more flexibility than Group A.
Examples of Group B Occupations
● Human Resource Advisor
● Marketing Specialist
● Recruitment Consultant
● Customer Service Manager
Requirements
● Relevant degree required
● Little to no flexibility
● Employment must align strongly with ANZSCO tasks
Perfect for Dubai Professionals
Many Dubai-based applicants fall into Group B, especially in HR and Marketing.
Because UAE job titles vary, applicants must highlight relevant responsibilities in experience letters.
✔ VETASSESS Group C Explained
What Is Group C?
This group includes occupations where any bachelor’s degree is acceptable, as long as the applicant has strong, relevant work experience.
Examples of Group C Roles
● Sales & Marketing Manager
● Hotel Manager
● Office Manager
● Retail Manager
Key Features
● Degree can be any field
● Experience is more important than qualifications
● Employment must show managerial duties
Dubai Tip
Group C is ideal for Dubai professionals with career progression but degrees in unrelated fields.
✔ VETASSESS Group D Explained
What Is Group D?
This group requires diplomas/certifications rather than university degrees.
Examples
● Medical Receptionist (certain roles)
● Some administrative or support-level occupations
Requirements
● AQF Certificate IV or Diploma equivalency
● 3+ years relevant work experience
Typical UAE Applicant
Mid-level professionals working in administrative or vocational fields.
✔ VETASSESS Group E Explained
What Is Group E?
This group is for roles where formal academic qualifications are not mandatory, but extensive work experience is required.
Examples
● Some creative roles
● Certain operational positions
● Niche occupations
Requirements
● 5+ years relevant work experience
● Proof of skills via portfolio or employment evidence
Dubai Insight
Many UAE-based professionals who worked their way up without a degree may fall into this group.
How to Identify Your VETASSESS Group (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Find Your ANZSCO Code
Visit the official VETASSESS website and search their occupation list using your job title or browse by industry category. Each occupation has a 6-digit ANZSCO code.
Example: Marketing Manager = 131112
Step 2: Check the Group Classification
The VETASSESS occupation list clearly states which group each occupation belongs to. This classification is fixed—you cannot choose your preferred group.
Step 3: Review Qualification Requirements
Read the specific qualification and experience requirements for your occupation. Some occupations have additional requirements beyond the standard group criteria.
Example: Education Advisor (Group B) requires a bachelor degree in education, counseling, or related field—not just any bachelor degree.
Step 4: Assess Your Documents
Gather evidence:
- ✔ Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- ✔ Employment reference letters
- ✔ Payslips and tax documents
- ✔ Job descriptions and employment contracts
Step 5: Verify Experience Relevance
Compare your actual job responsibilities against the ANZSCO description. Document how your duties align with the required tasks.
VETASSESS Group Requirements Comparison Table
| Requirement | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Required | Yes (Highly relevant) | Yes (Relevant) | Any degree | Diploma | Not required |
| Work Experience | 1–3 yrs | 2–4 yrs | 3+ yrs | 3+ yrs | 5+ yrs |
| Field of Study Flexibility | None | Very low | High | Medium | Highest |
| Typical Roles | Consultants, Analysts | HR, Marketing | Managers | Technicians | Vocational roles |
| Suitable for UAE Applicants | High | Very High | Very High | Medium | Moderate |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Counting Pre-Qualification Experience
Mistake: Including work experience gained before completing your qualification.
Reality: For Groups B, C, and D, only post-qualification experience counts. If you graduated in June 2023, employment before this date is excluded.
2. Overestimating Job Relevance
Mistake: Assuming similar job titles equal highly relevant experience.
Reality: VETASSESS assesses actual duties performed, not job titles. A “Marketing Coordinator” role might not meet Marketing Manager requirements if duties were primarily administrative.
3. Insufficient Employment Evidence
Mistake: Providing only basic employment letters without detailed job descriptions.
Reality: You need comprehensive reference letters detailing specific duties, hours worked, employment dates, and supervisor information on company letterhead.
4. Ignoring the 10-Year Rule
Mistake: Submitting experience older than 10 years.
Reality: Only employment within the past 10 years (from application date) is considered for skills assessment purposes.
5. Misunderstanding “Highly Relevant Qualification”
Mistake: Thinking any bachelor degree qualifies for any Group B occupation.
Reality: Your degree’s major field of study must directly relate to the occupation. An accounting degree won’t qualify you as a Marketing Manager.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding VETASSESS Groups A, B, C, D, and E is fundamental to successfully navigating Australia’s skilled migration pathway. Each group represents different qualification levels and experience requirements carefully designed to ensure migrants possess the skills Australia’s economy needs.
Your next steps:
✔ Identify your exact ANZSCO code and assigned VETASSESS group
✔ Verify you meet the minimum qualification and experience requirements
✔ Gather comprehensive documentation before applying
✔ Ensure employment evidence clearly demonstrates highly relevant duties
✔ Submit a complete application to avoid delays and rejections
The VETASSESS skills assessment is your gateway to Australian skilled migration. By thoroughly understanding which group your occupation belongs to and preparing detailed evidence of your qualifications and experience, you significantly increase your chances of receiving a positive outcome.
Whether you’re a recent graduate applying under Group A or an experienced professional navigating Group B requirements, proper preparation and attention to VETASSESS guidelines will position you for migration success.
Ready to start your Australian migration journey? Visit the official VETASSESS website to confirm your occupation’s group classification and begin gathering your assessment documentation today. With careful planning and comprehensive evidence, your skilled migration dream can become reality.
FAQs
Q1: What are VETASSESS Groups A–E?
They classify occupations based on qualification levels, relevance, and work experience requirements.
Q2: How do I know which VETASSESS group I fall under?
Check your occupation’s ANZSCO code and see the qualification/experience requirements on the VETASSESS website.
Q3: Which group is easiest?
Group C offers the most flexibility for degree relevance.
Q4: Can UAE degrees be used?
Yes, but they are assessed against Australian AQF levels.
Q5: Which group is best for HR or Marketing professionals?
Usually Group B.
Final Thoughts
Understanding VETASSESS Groups A, B, C, D, and E is fundamental to successfully navigating Australia’s skilled migration pathway. Each group represents different qualification levels and experience requirements carefully designed to ensure migrants possess the skills Australia’s economy needs.
Your next steps:
1. Identify your exact ANZSCO code and assigned VETASSESS group
2. Verify you meet the minimum qualification and experience requirements
3. Gather comprehensive documentation before applying
4. Ensure employment evidence clearly demonstrates highly relevant duties
5. Submit a complete application to avoid delays and rejections
The VETASSESS skills assessment is your gateway to Australian skilled migration. By thoroughly understanding which group your occupation belongs to and preparing detailed evidence of your qualifications and experience, you significantly increase your chances of receiving a positive outcome.
Whether you’re a recent graduate applying under Group A or an experienced professional navigating Group B requirements, proper preparation and attention to VETASSESS guidelines will position you for migration success.
