Can RA/TA work during a PhD be counted as skilled employment for VETASSESS?

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are in the middle of the Australian PR/work visa process and are trying to clarify something that seems to have very mixed answers online.

We both completed our PhDs in the US — hers in Biotechnology/Molecular Biology and mine in Geography. During our PhDs:

- She worked as a Research Assistant (RA), which was explicitly stated in her funding/offer letter.

- I worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA), also stated in my funding/offer letter.

- Our stipends were tied to these RA/TA roles.

We’ve both already passed our VETASSESS skills assessments — she as a Biochemist, and me as Other Spatial Scientist — but the assessments only counted our post‑PhD employment.

The big question is:

Can RA/TA work done during a PhD be included as skilled employment for VETASSESS?

If it could, it would significantly increase our years of experience and therefore our points.

Some people say RA/TA work is considered part of “training” and doesn’t count. Others say it can count if it’s paid and matches the ANZSCO tasks. We’re hoping to get clarity from people who’ve gone through this or have professional experience with VETASSESS.

Any insight would be hugely appreciated!