Skills assessment

Overview of assessment process

The CCEA skills assessment process is completed in two stages. Depending on your situation, you may only need to complete part of the skills assessment process.

Stage 1: Desktop Audit

The first stage is a desktop audit application that needs to be completed by all candidates seeking to migrate and/or register in Australia/New Zealand. This stage is undertaken from the candidate’s country of residence. A desktop audit is used to assess a candidate’s qualifications and skills to determine their eligibility to complete the Stage 2: Competency Based Assessment process. This is required for the purpose of migrating to Australia/New Zealand and becoming eligible to register as a chiropractor.

Candidates must ensure they complete the Stage 1: Desktop Audit application form that is relevant to their situation. There are five different types of applicant. Please choose the appropriate form based on your country of citizenship and the accreditation status of the chiropractic program you have completed.

If the candidate is initially unable to provide documentation to substantiate their application, the Desktop Audit Team will endeavour to work with the candidate through a review process to find alternate documentation to support their claims. Maintaining open dialogue between the candidate and the Desktop Audit Team supports this process.

Stage 2: Competency Based Assessment

The second stage is used to determine a candidate’s ability to practise safely and competently against current Australian and New Zealand entry-level chiropractic competencies. Successful completion of the Stage 2: Competency Based Assessment is one of the requirements for overseas qualified chiropractors applying for migration and/or registration in Australia/New Zealand.

The Stage 2: Competency Based Assessment is a three-part assessment process that takes place over multiple consecutive days in Australia or New Zealand. This includes:

• Part 1 – Written Basic Competency

• Part 2 – Written Clinical Competency

• Part 3 – Practical Clinical Competency

Further information about the qualification and skills assessment process, along with sample exam questions is available in the CCEA Candidate Guide.

Applying for a visa

Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Stage 2: Competency Based Assessment are undertaken in Australia or New Zealand and are scheduled over four consecutive days with candidates required to be in attendance for portions of each of the scheduled days. Candidates who are not residents of Australia or New Zealand should ascertain whether they are required to obtain a visa, at their own expense, enabling them to travel to Australia or New Zealand to attend the assessments.

There are various types of visas that are available. Please refer to the following websites to find the relevant visa.

Australia – Department of Home Affairs

New Zealand - Immigration New Zealand

Candidates may also contact a migration agent for assistance.

Ensure all visa arrangements are made to travel to the scheduled assessment venue, as failure to undertake an assessment due to an inability to obtain the necessary visa or travel arrangements etc. will be considered a withdrawal and fees will apply.

Apply to complete a chiropractic skills assessment

Please review the Skills assessment requirements page and the Applicant resources and documentation page. Forms and fees applicable to your application are available here. 

When you are ready to apply, please submit your application form to CCEA electronically. The academic transcript and letter of good standing will need to be emailed directly to the CCEA Skills Assessment Team as per the instructions in the relevant application form. 

CCEA is aware that some institutions will not provide electronic copies of these documents. If this applies to you, please ask for a hard copy to be posted to CCEA at GPO Box 622, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.