In a standard VETASSESS or ACS skills assessment, any week in which you work at least 20 paid hours counts as full-time. In terms of outcome, part-time work of 20 hours a week is therefore no different from full-time work, but weeks of fewer than 20 hours are not counted. If you change your nominated occupation, your current positive assessment does not carry over, and you will need a new assessment against the criteria for the new occupation.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0854826), looks at this question from the perspective of the assessing authorities’ official rules. The applicant’s question has two parts: does part-time work change the outcome of the assessment, and what are the consequences of changing the occupation code? The answer to both lies in the rules of the assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs.
The “Full-Time” Threshold in a Skills Assessment
According to Dr. Ahmadi, the minimum is exactly 20 hours a week. VETASSESS and ACS treat paid work of 20 or more hours a week as full-time. Work below that threshold is not accepted. Irregular hours are also not averaged, which means that light weeks are not offset by heavier ones. The 20-hour threshold must be met in every week.
The equivalence between part-time and full-time work applies only to standard migration skills assessments by VETASSESS and ACS. In a DAMA assessment, VETASSESS calculates part-time work on the basis of 38 hours a week. In other words, two years of work at 20 hours a week is treated as equivalent to one year of full-time work.
Years of Experience Required and the Effect on Points
There is no single fixed general rule on how much experience is required. It depends on the assessing authority, the occupation group and how closely your qualification relates to the occupation. For example, some ACS pathways require five years of experience in the last ten years, or six years of experience at any point in your work history.
Additional years of experience have two specific effects. First, they help you meet the requirements of pathways that call for more experience. Second, they determine the date from which you are considered skilled (the Date Deemed Skilled). Experience that is used to satisfy the assessment requirements does not earn points in the points test. The Department of Home Affairs also separately requires at least 20 hours of work per week for work experience to count towards points.
Changing Your Nominated Occupation: A New Assessment Is Required
A positive assessment you obtained on the basis of full-time experience for your current occupation does not transfer to the new occupation. You must undergo a new assessment against the criteria for the new occupation, with the assessing authority responsible for that occupation. Your work experience must also fall within the same ANZSCO Unit Group to which the new occupation belongs.
If you are considering changing your nominated occupation, it is wise to have your work history, weekly hours and the appropriate assessing authority reviewed with a specialist before you take any step. Dr. Sirous Ahmadi is available to review your situation individually so that you can make your decision with confidence.
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This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on November 5, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.