Overseas Qualification Assessment
Are you a professional living in Queensland with post-secondary qualifications from overseas? If so, the Overseas Qualification Unit of the Department of Education may be able to help you have your qualifications recognised. This unit provides a free general academic assessment that can indicate how your qualifications compare to those in Australia, assisting people with higher-level vocational and university qualifications alike. Read on for more information about what this unit can do for you.
What the Overseas Qualification Unit Does
The Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU) is a service of the Department of Education that helps people from overseas gain recognition for their post-secondary qualifications. The OQU’s main purpose is to provide an indication of how academic qualifications obtained by an applicant outside Australia compare with current Australian standards. This assessment can be used to support applications for immigration and employment. It should also be noted that not all universities and other education facilities are eligible for assessment; only those approved by the OQU will be considered.
Applicant Requirements
To apply for an assessment, applicants must submit their original documents as well as certified copies, a completed application form, and applicable fees. All documents must be provided in English; if they are not originally written in English, they must include translations certified by either a registered translator or authorised person such as a solicitor or Justice of the Peace (JP). Applicants should note that processing times vary depending on whether or not additional documentation is required, so it is important to submit all materials promptly and accurately when applying.
The Advantages of Assessment
Having your post-secondary qualification assessed through the OQU has several advantages. For one thing, it puts your qualification on par with those from Australia, which can make it easier to find employment or pursue further education here. Additionally, having your qualification assessed may help reduce the amount of time it takes to complete certain processes like visa applications; without an assessment, there is no guarantee that your qualification will be recognised by authorities like Immigration New Zealand or The Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Plus having your qualification recognised may also ease any anxiety associated with making career moves abroad and give you greater peace of mind knowing that you’re taking advantage of every opportunity available to you.
If you hold a post-secondary school qualification from overseas and currently live in Queensland, the Department’s Overseas Qualifications Unit may help assess and recognise these qualifications – which can open up even more avenues towards career progression or further study opportunities here in Australia. To get started on having your qualifications recognised through this service, simply apply using all necessary forms and documents and remember that certified translations might also need to be provided if materials are not originally written in English. With timely submission of all materials combined with accurate documentation requirements met, there’s no telling just how far recognition through this service could take you.