The Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand (IML ANZ) is the government-appointed assessing authority for senior management occupations under the Australian skilled migration program. To secure a skilled visa for Australia as a top executive, you must pass a rigorous professional review.
An IML skills assessment is the official process of evaluating your higher education qualifications and senior executive employment history to determine if your skills match the standards required to work in Australia.
Who Requires an IML Skills Assessment?
IML assessment is a mandatory requirement for executive-level visa applicants. If you are applying for skilled migration pathways. Specifically, this process targets:
👉 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) seeking independent skilled migration pathways.
👉 Senior executives managing large, complex operations.
👉 Managing Directors who report directly to a Board of Directors.
Scopes and Visa Pathways for Chief Executive or Managing Director
A positive outcome, which is valid for three years, unlocks several points-tested and employer-sponsored visa subclasses. The assessment will verify that the corporate leadership history matches with the ANZSCO Code 111111 formally.
Australia Visa Provision
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494), or various state-nominated visas, you will need a positive outcome.
Essential Document Checklist
It is important for the application to be complete and well-structured because missing and poorly formatted documents can lead to delays or rejection.
- Identification: High-quality colour scans of your passport biodata page.
- Qualifications: Award certificates with complete academic transcripts.
- Detailed CV/Resume: A resume that covers at least your last 10 years of employment.
- Official Statements of Employment: Letters on official company letterhead detailing your exact dates, salary, weekly working hours, and executive duties.
- Detailed Organisation Charts: A corporate chart for each role, signed by your supervisor or HR, clearly showing upward reporting to the Board and downward reporting through subordinate managers.
Chief Executive or Managing Director (ANZSCO 111111) Assessment Criteria
IML ANZ assesses your executive capacity based on strict parameters regarding the length of your career and the complexity of your past organisations.
Experience and Qualifications
- With a Highly Relevant Degree: If you hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree comparable to an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) standard, you need at least three years of senior management experience, including at least two years specifically as a CEO or Managing Director.
- Without a Highly Relevant Degree: If your degree is in an unrelated field, you must prove at least five years of senior management experience, with at least two of those years spent in the CEO or Managing Director role.
- Organisation Scale: Your experience must generally be within an organisation with a total headcount of at least 50 employees to satisfy complexity requirements.
Currency of Industry Skills
You must show that your executive skills are active. This requires proving at least one year of full-time, paid employment relevant to the CEO/MD role within the past five years.
Executive Responsibilities under ANZSCO 111111
Your daily duties must align closely with the official ANZSCO task definitions. The assessment authority expects to see active ownership of major corporate functions:
- Determining and formulating the general policy, objectives, and strategies of the organisation.
- Authorising human, material as well as financial resources to implement these corporate policies.
- Monitoring performance against strategic and financial goals.
- Consulting with and directing senior subordinate managers who run major functional departments.
- Representing the organisation in high-level negotiations, forums, and official external relations.
How to Demonstrate Competency via Written Responses for Chief Executive or Managing Director (ANZSCO 111111)?
IML Management Competency Framework
To prove your leadership capability, you must complete written responses addressing the IML Management Competency Framework. You must select and address one core competence from each of the three foundational areas:
- Manage Self: (e.g., decision-making, professional development, or emotional intelligence).
- Manage and Lead Others: (e.g., managing people, delegation, or conflict resolution).
- Manage and Lead the Business: (e.g., developing organisational vision, culture, or strategic change).
Writing with the STAR Method
For each selected competence, you should write a practical, structured response of 500 words or less using the STAR method. This layout ensures you remain specific and results-oriented.
| Step | Focus Area |
| Situation | Outline the exact executive challenge or business scenario you faced. |
| Task | Define your specific leadership responsibility and the objective. |
| Action | Detail the exact managerial steps you took to resolve the situation. |
| Result | Provide quantified business outcomes, followed by your professional reflection. |
Key Considerations for a Strong IML Application
Always prioritize accuracy and thoroughness in your submission to ensure a seamless assessment process:
- Avoid Generic Duties: Avoid copying task descriptions from ANZSCO or IML guides directly. Your statement of employment must reflect your unique corporate achievements.
- Clarify Reporting Lines: Your organization charts must explicitly show that you report directly to a Board, Head of State, or equivalent governing body, while directing managers who run departments below you.
- Ensure Verification: Provide active, professional contact details for all referees, as the assessing body routinely conducts background verification.