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Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU)

Our Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU) offers a free assessment service to have your tertiary or higher education qualification/s recognised, which could help you to secure employment in Western Australia. 

Assessments are used as qualification evidence to show potential employers the level of your overseas education compared to Australian standards, and may also assist you in enrolling for further studies.

    Current processing time is 20 working days

 Apply for an OQU assessment(opens in a new tab)

Overseas qualification unit.
Please note that an OQU assessment will not detail the qualification study area, nor compare competency standards between countries.

Assessment eligibility

Am I eligible for this service?

To have your qualifications assessed by OQU, you must be: 

  • an Australian or New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia and currently residing in Western Australia; or
  • a temporary resident who has permission to work or study in Western Australia. and currently residing in Western Australia.

We can assess many post-secondary qualifications including:

  • formal technical and vocational qualifications (comparable to an Australian Certificate IV and above); and
  • formal higher education qualifications (Bachel​or Degree and above). 

  Apply for an OQU assessment(opens in a new tab)

What is not eligible for assessment?

Some types of qualifications are not eligible for assessment by OQU.

 

OQU cannot provide advice on or assess occupational registration, licensing or professional memberships. You need to make your own investigation and seek advice from a relevant industry or licensing body.

For more information view our frequently asked questions

How to apply for an OQU assessment

To apply for an OQU assessment, you must:

  • live in Western Australia and be one of the following:
    • ​an Australian citizen;
    • ​a New Zealand citizen;
    • a permanent resident of Australia; or
    • ​a temporary resident with permission to work or study in Western Australia.
  • have completed a formal tertiary or technical qualification such as a diploma, bachelor degree or masters degree.

For a list of qualifications not eligible for assessment, view our frequently asked questions  

The following documents need to be certified before you commence your application.

For information on how to certify a document, view our frequently asked questions

Residency

  • Certified copy of passport or Australian citizenship certificate
  • Copy of your visa document (or allow us to check VEVO online)
  • Certified copy of your immigration card (for refugees only)                                                  

Personal details

  • Certified proof of name change (if applicable; for example a marriage certificate)                   
  • Statutory declaration for spelling inconsistencies between documents (if applicable)    

Qualification award

  • Certified copy of the final diploma, degree or qualification certificate in original language
  • Certified copy of English translation from an approved translator (if applicable)

Academic record

  • Certified copy of academic transcript (student book or marks sheets) showing all years of study - this is a report from the awarding institution with information on examinations/courses completed, credits and grades/score 
  • Certified copy of English translation from an approved translator (if applicable)

Secondary school certificate

  • Certified copy of secondary school certificate in original language
  • Certified copy of English translation from an approved translator (if applicable)

If you are unable to supply your award certificate or academic transcript/s, in certain cases, we may be able to accept a statutory declaration. 

Statutory declaration
In certain circumstances, if you do not have a copy of your award certificate or academic transcript, and are not be able to get a copy, we may be able to accept a statutory declaration. You will need to provide an official signed statutory declaration using the WA Department of Justice form(opens in a new tab), and include the following information.

  • The qualification awarded
  • Year awarded
  • Year study commenced, and the year study completed
  • The number of years of study in total
  • Whether the study was taken full time or part time
  • Why you are unable to provide the original document

Important
It is an offence to intentionally make a false statement in a statutory declaration under section 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959. 

Complete our online application form below, and attach your documents as instructed

Please note that all documents you provide must be in portable document format (PDF). 
We cannot accept other electronic formats such as JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG or photos of documents.

  Apply for an OQU assessment(opens in a new tab)

You will receive the outcome of your assessment from OQU via the email address that you provide in your application. 

For more information on assessment outcomes, including a review of your outcome, view our frequently asked questions 

OQU frequently asked questions

Filters

The OQU assess post-secondary qualifications including: 

  • Formal technical and vocational qualifications (comparable to an Australian Certificate IV and above); and
  • Formal higher education qualifications (bachel​or degree and above). 
Overseas Qualification Unit

​ The OQU is not able to assess the following.

  • For recognition of overseas apprenticeships or trade qualifications you will need to contact the WA Apprenticeship Office or a registered training organisation such as a WA TAFE college
  • Qualifications for migration purposes – If you are applying for a visa and need a skills assessment, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website(opens in a new tab)
  • Secondary school qualifications – To have you secondary school certificates assessed visit the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website(opens in a new tab)
  • Incomplete qualifications and/or short courses (less than one year full time study) and single subject certificates
  • Professional registration or memberships, work experience
  • Australian qualifications 

For occupational registration, licensing or professional memberships, clients need to make their own investigation and seek advice from a relevant industry or licensing body

Overseas Qualification Unit

The Overseas Qualifications Unit is unable to assess overseas qualifications for migration purposes.

If you are applying for a visa and need a skills assessment, visit the Department of Home Affairs website(opens in a new tab).

Overseas Qualification Unit

Yes, in some cases.

If you are unable to supply your award certificate / academic transcripts you will need to provide a signed statutory declaration, and include the following information.

  • The qualification awarded
  • Year awarded
  • The number of years of study
  • Whether the study was taken full time or part time
  • Why you are unable to provide the original document
Download a statutory declaration form(opens in a new tab)

This will be included as part of your application, and will be considered by Overseas Qualification Unit as a part of your assessment.

Overseas Qualification Unit

Overseas trade and apprenticeship qualifications are unable to be assessed by the Overseas Qualifications Unit.

Assessments can only be undertaken through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process called Trade Skills Recognition (TSR) at approved registered training organisations such as TAFE. TSR is often required for licensing in Western Australia. Please note, fees may apply. If you require TSR, you will need to contact an approved RTO, or contact the Trade Skills Recognition area at the Apprenticeship Office to discuss your needs. 

Please visit the Apprenticeship Office website(opens in a new tab) for more information regarding TSR and to find the approved list of registered training organisations.

Trade certificate 

Once you have completed TSR, you may be eligible to have a separate trade certificate issued. Trade certificates are recognised and sought after by many employers in WA.

A trade certificates may be issued by the Apprenticeship Office within the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (the Department) to individuals who have achieved an apprenticeship qualification if the individual has:

  • completed the qualification via a training contract registered in Western Australia;
  • met the Department’s TSR requirements; or
  • completed a qualification that is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in an Australian state or territory other than WA. The qualification must be equivalent to a qualification on the Classification of prescribed vocational education and training qualifications in WA with the title of apprentice, and must have been achieved through an employment-based training arrangement.

For more information regarding TSR and Trade Certificates, please visit the Apprenticeship Office website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/apprenticeship-office(opens in a new tab).

Licensed occupations and mutual recognition
If you hold a current trade licence from New Zealand or interstate, you may be eligible to have it recognised locally through the Mutual Recognition Act 1992(opens in a new tab)  or the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997(opens in a new tab) .

For more information on industry regulations, licensing and registration, please visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website(opens in a new tab).

Overseas Qualification Unit

Yes, you can apply on behalf of another person. However, the person authorising you to act as their agent must complete the Third party authorisation form below.

You must attach the signed and completed Third party authorisation form when you lodge the application.

Download the Third party authorisation form here(PDF document - opens in a new tab)[PDF 143 KB]

Overseas Qualification Unit

Unfortunately the OQU service is only available for residents currently in Western Australia. If you are living overseas, you can get your qualification assessed by the Australian Government Department of Education. 

Please visit the DOE website for more information.(opens in a new tab) 

Overseas Qualification Unit

Yes, our Information for employers – Assessment of overseas qualifications fact sheet outlines the value of your assessment outcome and can be shown to your existing or potential employer. 

Download the fact sheet here(PDF document - opens in a new tab)[PDF 182 KB] 

Your employer can also contact us to confirm the validity of your overseas qualification assessment if you provide them with a completed Consent to release form, available below.

Download the Consent to release form here(PDF document - opens in a new tab)[PDF 144 KB]

Overseas Qualification Unit

Yes, employers can confirm the validity of an overseas qualification assessment.

The applicant must provide you with a completed Consent to release form (available below), that you can email to us via oqu@dtwd.wa.gov.au(opens in a new tab).

We can then confirm the validity of the applicant's overseas qualification assessment.

Download the Consent to release form here(PDF document - opens in a new tab)[PDF 144 KB]

 

Overseas Qualification Unit

You can ask for a review.

Please email the Overseas Qualifications Unit (OQU) at oqu@dtwd.wa.gov.a​u​(opens in a new tab), making sure you include your contact details and reference number, and state why you disagree with your assessment outcome.

Your assessment will be reviewed and you will be advised of the outcome. 

Overseas Qualification Unit

A certified copy is a photocopied document that has been checked by a recognised, independent person who confirms that it is a true copy of the original document. To have your documents certified, you will need to take a photocopy (along with the original document), and have each page signed to confirm that it is a true copy of the original.

Each page must be certified, and must show:

  • the words “certified true copy of the original”; 
  • the signature of the certifying officer; 
  • the name, address, contact telephone number, and designation of the certifying officer legibly printed below the signature; and 
  • an official stamp (where possible). 

Please note that OQU must be able to contact the certifying person if needed. 

Overseas Qualification Unit

In Western Australia, the following people can witness and certify copies of documents.

    Architect 
Australian consular officer  Australian diplomatic officer Bailiff
Bank manager Chartered secretary Chemist
Chiropractor​ Company auditor or liquidator Court officer (judge, magistrate, registrar or clerk) 
Defence force officer (Commissione​d, Warrant or NCO with five years continuous Commonwealth service) Dentist Doctor
Electorate officer (State – WA only) Engineer Industrial organisation secretary
Insurance broker Justice of the Peace (any state) Lawyer
Local government CEO or deputy CEO Local government councillor Loss adjuster
Marriage celebrant Member of Parliament (State or Commonwealth) Minister of religion
Nurse Optometrist Patent attorney 
Physiotherapist​  Podiatrist Police officer
​Post officer manager Psychologist Public servant (State or Commonwealth) 
Public notary  Real estate agent Settlement agent
Sheriff or deputy sheriff  Surveyor Teacher​ 
Tribunal officer Veterinary surgeon​  

No person under the age of 18 is allowed to be a witness.​

Overseas Qualification Unit

To have your copies certified outside of Australia, you may approach:

  • ​the awarding institution; 
  • any consulate; 
  • the Australian Education International (AEI) Section at the Australian Diplomatic Mission; or
  • the Ministry of Justice.
Overseas Qualification Unit

All translations must be carried out by an accredited translator to be accepted.

Overseas Qualification Unit

People settling permanently in Australia can have up to ten eligible documents translated into English free of charge, within the first two years of their eligible visa grant date.   

To find out more information about the service, check your eligibility or start an online application, visit the Free Translating Service website(opens in a new tab) run by the Department of Home Affairs.

If you are not eligible for the free service, you can find an accredited translator in your area on the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters website(opens in a new tab).

Overseas Qualification Unit

Translations must be provided on the organisation’s letterhead with an official stamp and the translator’s signature with their name and contact numbers legibly printed for contact by the OQU if necessary. Acceptable organisations are:

  • the awarding institution; or 
  • ​accredited translators in the country concerned.
Overseas Qualification Unit

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)​(opens in a new tab) is an online facility developed by the Department of Home Affairs where organisations can confirm a person’s visa entitlements without having to refer to the visa grant letter or label in their passport.​​

If you have an electronic visa, you can give the OQU permission to access your visa details on VEVO. 

Overseas Qualification Unit

This is a free service available to Western Australian residents.

Overseas Qualification Unit

Useful OQU links

The Department of Training and Workforce Development's  Apprenticeship Office registers and administers training contracts and regulates the apprenticeship system in Western Australia, in accordance with Part 7 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1996(opens in a new tab) (the Act), the associated Regulations(opens in a new tab), and the WA Apprenticeship and traineeship policy(opens in a new tab).

For information on trade skills recognition (TSR) or applying for a trade certificate, visit the Apprenticeship Office section of the Department of Training and Workforce Development website(opens in a new tab).

WA's School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) can assess and provide an equivalence statement for secondary/high school level qualifications to an academic year level in the WA school system. It does not give a grade-for-grade comparison.

 Visit the SCSA website for further information(opens in a new tab).

The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) can assist with the assessment of early childhood qualifications. 

Visit the ACECQA website(opens in a new tab).

If you are migrating to Australia and require an assessment of your overseas engineering degree, visit the Engineers Australia website(opens in a new tab).

If you obtained your law degree overseas and wish to practice in Western Australia, the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) can assist with information.

Visit the LPBWA website(opens in a new tab)

In Western Australia; the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is the State Government agency responsible for the mining and resources industry.

For information on industry regulations, licensing and registration, visit the DMIRS website(opens in a new tab).

If your qualification does not meet OQU’s criteria for an assessment, or you have a trade qualification, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

RPL is a formal assessment process that can provide you with the opportunity to gain a full or partial qualification, without having to study subjects for which you already have skills and experience.

Visit the Jobs and Skills WA website for more information about RPL.(opens in a new tab)

The OQU not assess overseas qualifications for migration purposes.

If you are applying for a visa and need a skills assessment, visit the Department of Home Affairs website(opens in a new tab). 

All teachers who are teaching in WA schools must be registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). 

For more information visit the TRBWA website(opens in a new tab).

Western Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system offers quality courses and qualifications, with a range of training options and choices for students, industry and the community.

WA has five TAFE (technical and further education) colleges, with 70 campus locations and specialist training centres located across Perth and all regional areas of WA. There's also a number of private training providers who are registered training organisations (RTOs), operating across WA.

Visit the Jobs and Skills WA website for further information about WA TAFEs and RTOs(opens in a new tab)

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia's health industry.

For information on memberships and registering to work in the health industry, visit the APHRA website(opens in a new tab).