DIA vs VETASSESS: Skills Assessment Guide for Nigerian and African PR Applicants
If you’re an African professional applying for an Australian skilled visa (189, 190, 491), one of your first and most critical steps is getting a skills assessment. This assessment proves your qualifications and experience match Australian standards.
Two of the most common assessing bodies are DIA (Design Institute of Australia) and VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). In this guide, we explain the difference between the two, who they’re for, and how to get it right the first time.
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment is an official evaluation of your qualifications and work experience against Australian requirements for your nominated occupation.
Without a skills assessment:
You cannot submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a skilled visa
Your points for work and education won’t be counted
DIA (Design Institute of Australia)
Who It’s For
Creative professionals such as:
Interior Designers
Graphic Designers
Industrial Designers
Fashion Designers
What DIA Looks Like
Academic qualifications in design or related field
Work experience in your design profession
Portfolio showcasing your work
Processing Time
- 8 to 12 weeks
Cost
- AUD 1,000-1,200 (approximately)
Afrovo Tip: DIA is very portfolio-focused. Your work samples must be professional, high-quality, and relevant to your nominated occupation.
VETASSESS (Vocational Educational and Training Assessment Services)
Who It’s For
General professional and trade occupations not covered by other authorities, over 350 occupations, including:
Business & Management Professionals
Marketing Specialists
Education Professionals (except teachers assessed by AITSL)
Hospitality Managers
Community and Welfare Workers
What VETASSESS Looks At
Qualifications matching AQF levels
Relevant work experience (varies by occupation)
Employment references and detailed role descriptions
Processing Time
- 8 to 12 weeks (fast track: 10 business days)
Cost
- AUD 1,020-1,500 (approximately)
Afrovo Tip: VETASSESS often requires at least 1–3 years of post-qualification experience.
Key Differences Between DIA and VETASSESS
Occupation Scope
- DIA: Creative/design fields only
- VETASSESS: Wide range of non-trade & some trade occupations
Evidence Focus
- DIA: Qualification and portfolio
- VETASSESS: Qualifications and work experience
Portfolio Requirement
- DIA: Yes
- VETASSESS: No
Processing Time
- DIA: (8 to 12 weeks)
- VETASSESS: 8 to 12 weeks (fast track available)
Cost
- DIA: AUD 1,000-1,200
- VETASSESS: 1,020-1,500
How Afrovo Helps You Pass First Time
We guide you through:
Choosing the right assessing body
Preparing and formatting documents
Portfolio curation for DIA applicants
Reference letter drafting for VETASSESS
Submission and follow-up
Result: Higher approval rate, no wasted time or money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Choosing the wrong assessing body for your occupation
❌ Submitting incomplete or inconsistent documents
❌ Using unverified employment references
❌ Overlooking portfolio quality for creative fields
❌ Missing deadlines for fast-track processing
“I was confused about whether to go with DIA or VETASSESS. Afrovo explained the difference, helped me prepare my documents, and I got my positive assessment in 5 weeks!”
— Adaeze, Graphic Designer from Nigeria
🖋 Not sure which skills assessment body applies to you?
👉 Book a Skills Assessment Consultation with Afrovo
📂 Need portfolio or reference letter help?
👉 Get Afrovo’s Document Preparation Support
📊 Want to know if you meet the assessment criteria?
👉 Take the Skills Assessment Readiness Quiz
Achieve Your Migration Journey Today with Afrovo.
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