Can my freelance experience be counted for skills assessment?

eggnog__01

I’m an Electrical Engineer with 4.5 yrs work experience. 2 yrs sa local company (solar) and 2.5 yrs freelance jobs (1 yr solar and 1.5+ yrs for an electrical utility in AU). Possible ba na macount yun experience ko for skills assessment? Balak ko sana magpaassess as Electrical Draftsperson or Electrical Engineer. I don’t have an ITR but planning to register next yr. Complete ang hulog sa SSS for the last 3 yrs. Thank you for the response.

MechaGodZillaEnGR

eggnog__01 Based sa bakikita ko sa ibang online forums, Yes, puwede ma-count ang freelance experience — basta kaya mong i-prove na paid at legit.
For skills assessment:

Electrical Engineer (Engineers Australia)

Mas flexible sila. Freelance / self-employed work is accepted kahit walang ITR, as long as may:
invoices or proof of payment
contract / email trail
sample outputs (drawings, designs, reports)
reference letter from the client
evidence na registered ka as a freelancer (DTI/ABN etc., kung meron)

Hindi required ang SSS or ITR — bonus lang sila. Ang importante is proof na 1) paid, 2) skilled, 3) relevant sa ANZSCO duties.

Electrical Draftsperson (TRA)
Mas strict. Self-employment is accepted but you need:

contracts + invoices
bank proof
work samples
client verification
stat dec
TRA likes verifiable paid work. Walang ITR is okay, pero dapat kompleto ang supporting docs.

This is not a migration advice pero puedeng

2yrs PH solar (company) - counted
1yr freelance solar - counted kung my docs
1.5+ freelance sa AU utilitt - very strong exp if may contract + outputs

Sss contribution - hindi counted as evidebce of skilled work

No ITR - ok lang, pero mas magnda kung mag register ka this yr para may clean paper trail.

MiEn2Straya

eggnog__01 During my 2024 EA assessment, my 17‑month freelance/independent contractor experience was not counted. Although I provided invoices, bank deposits, a contract, a COE, a reference letter, and proof of SSS and Pag‑IBIG contributions, the assessor required BIR‑stamped tax forms to accept the employment. Because I had not paid taxes during that period, the entire 17 months was denied. Based on their feedback, EA expects freelance work to appear in official tax records to demonstrate proper tax compliance, similar to what is required in Australia. Outcomes may vary for others, as this can depend on the assessing officer assigned to the case.

Below is the comment and feedback I received from EA. I have omitted the company name. “Company 3” refers to the period when I was working as an independent contractor.

Company 1 (January 2010 to September 2013)
Based on submitted secondary document evidence I can not record employment period from August 2011 to June 2012. Please note that we do not accept email, salary slips for secondary document evidence. Notice of Assessment, you provided does not shows employer name hence I can not accept this document.
Please provide one of the Secondary Documentary evidence [must cover employment period and employer name] from January 2010 to July 2011.

Certificate of Compensation Payment or Tax Withheld must be validated by BIR
-Social Security Statement (SSS) monthly contribution AND Employee static information
Insurance & Pag-IBIG Fund Monthly Contribution
Please note that both, primary and secondary documents are mandatory for the successful Relevant Skilled Employment assessment.

Company 3:
Based on submitted secondary document evidence I can not record employment period from September 2020 to April 2022. Please note that we do not accept bank statements, salary slips for secondary document evidence.

eggnog__01

MechaGodZillaEnGR Hello! Thank you for answering! Super late reply, saan particular forum po ninyo nakita yung same case ko? Naghahanap kasi ako pero wala ako makita masyado.

I am hoping macredit pa din yun work experience ko although I only have payment transfers sa bank and Paypal/Wise. I also registered sa BIR this year for an ITR.

RheaMARN1171933

MARA agent here…I would still include ITR as this means it’s done formally. Cash payments will jot be considered by assessing authorities and the Department. The only way to provide this is to provide ITR.

eggnog__01

RheaMARN1171933 it means po na hindi na possible na macredit yun freelance experience due to lack of documents? I only have proof via bank transfer and payment channels. This year lang ako nagregister to BIR.

eggnog__01

MiEn2Straya Hi! Thank you so much for sharing! Got a bit sad since I worked entirely as an independent contractor.

I will still try to submit although I read from numerous applicants that their work experience were not counted by EA due to lack of tax records. On a positive note, I already registered to BIR for this year.

RheaMARN1171933

MiEn2Straya that’s correct, you can’t claim work experience when it’s not backed up with legal documents. If you’ve not paid tax on your work then it means your breaching order of law hence you cannot use such as evidence of your claim. That’s already a question of character which is one of the criteria to apply for a visa.

MiEn2Straya

eggnog__01 I understand how you feel — I went through something similar myself, since 17 months of my experience was also as an independent contractor. It can be discouraging to read that EA often doesn’t count experience without tax records, but it’s still worth submitting whatever evidence you have.
It would help to include a detailed Letter of Explanation with your documents. Just outline your situation, your work arrangement, and the steps you’ve taken — especially now that you’re already registered with the BIR for this year. EA values transparency, and an LOE gives them the proper context behind your documents.

MiEn2Straya

RheaMARN1171933 I understand the requirement, and I agree that work experience must be supported by proper documentation. In my case, I was an OFW before the pandemic, and when I shifted to full‑time independent contracting, I wasn’t aware that I needed to update my status with the BIR. Because of the lockdowns, it was extremely difficult to visit government offices, and when I finally engaged an accountant, I was informed that my status had to be updated first before any tax filing could proceed.
I started preparing the required forms and the re‑registration process even though I already had a TIN, but I was not able to complete and submit everything due to the long processing times and limited access to government services during the pandemic. As a result, there was not enough time for my accountant to file and pay the taxes within the deadline. It was never my intention to breach any law; the delays were caused by the circumstances at that time and the restrictions that made compliance difficult.

I’d honestly advise anyone doing freelance or independent contracting to make sure they’re paying their taxes-especially if they plan to migrate. Lesson learned! 🙂

Fortunately, my other years of work experience were recognized, and I received a positive outcome from EA.