How to get your employment letter if your boss no longer works at the company for your skills assessment

One of the most important—and sometimes most complicated—documents in the Skills Assessment Australia process is the employment letter or Employment Reference Letter. This document demonstrates to the assessing body (such as Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS, or CPA Australia) that you actually worked in the positions and with the professional duties you claim.

But what if your former boss no longer works at the company, the company changed its name, or even closed? 😰 Don't worry. You're not alone. At SkillsPRO, we've helped hundreds of professionals in this situation, and yes, there are completely valid solutions for Australian agencies.

In this article, we explain how to obtain or reconstruct your employment letter even if your boss is no longer available.

💡 First: Why is the employment letter so important?

The Skills Assessment evaluates your professional experience, not just your qualifications. Therefore, the Employment Reference Letter is key to demonstrating:

That you worked in a profession related to the one you're applying for.

The duties and responsibilities you performed.

Your level of experience (full-time or part-time, years of employment, weekly hours).

The company name, position, dates, and verifiable contact information.

Without this letter (or a valid alternative), your evaluation may be delayed or rejected.

🧭 What to do if your boss no longer works there?

Don't worry. Australian agencies understand that companies change staff and that it's not always possible to obtain the original signature of a former supervisor. The important thing is to demonstrate the authenticity and traceability of your experience.

Here are three valid alternatives you can submit:

1. Letter signed by another supervisor, manager, or HR.

If your direct supervisor is no longer there, but someone else can confirm your employment (a manager, senior colleague, or HR representative), this letter is perfectly valid, as long as:

It is issued on official stationery or includes the company logo.

State your position, dates, and detailed duties.

Include verifiable contact information (corporate email, phone number, or professional LinkedIn)

👉 PRO Tip: Accompany the letter with an email or internal record confirming your employment relationship.

2. Letter drafted by you + supporting evidence.

If no contact is already available, you can draft the letter yourself with all the details and attach additional evidence. This option is commonly called a Statutory Declaration.

Include:

Exact dates of employment.

Company name and address.

Your job title, hours, and detailed job description (based on the ANZSCO Code occupation).

Reason why you cannot obtain a signed letter.

And accompany it with supporting documents, such as:

✅ Employment contracts.

✅ Payslips.

✅ Tax returns.

✅ Old employment certificates.

✅ Screenshots of corporate emails or written references.

📎 Official Statutory Declarations Guide: ag.gov.au/statdec

3. Letter from a former colleague.

Yes, this is also possible. If a former colleague worked with you at the same company and can confirm your duties, you can ask them to write a professional reference letter.

It should include:

Your full name and position.

Employment relationship with you (for example: "We worked together in the engineering department from 2015 to 2019").

Brief description of your duties.

Signature and contact information.

PRO Tip: Supplement this reference with additional documentary evidence. The key is consistency of information.

🧩 What to do if the company closed or no longer exists

If the company you worked for no longer operates, you can still present your experience by providing:

Copies of your ABN or business registration (if it was in Australia) or legal incorporation documents (if it was in another country).

Copies of payslips, contracts, corporate emails, or invoices (if you were working as a contractor).

A signed affidavit from you explaining the context and closure of the company.

Australian agencies value consistent evidence, even if the original entity no longer exists.

📚 Common mistakes to avoid:

❌ Sending a letter without detailed duties.

❌ Using a generic "employment certificate"-type document without a description.

❌ Not including precise start and end dates.

❌ Omitting verifiable contact or company details.

❌ Not translating letters with a certified NAATI translation, if they are in Spanish.

👉 Remember: NAATI translations are mandatory for all documents not in English. You can request them through Entrelingo Translations, our partner service specializing in immigration processes and skills assessments.

Getting your employment letter can seem like an obstacle when your boss is no longer there or the company has changed, but there are legitimate solutions.

At SkillsPRO, with our experience in Skills Assessment, we help professionals design the most effective strategy for their migration, minimizing costs and maximizing visa and employment opportunities in Australia.

Our services include:

✔️ Review and preparation of all required documents.

✔️ NAATI-certified translations of your academic and relevant documents.

✔️ Comprehensive guidance on what documents are essential for your specific occupation.

✔️ Free consultation to help you understand your case and provide the best options – Book your free consultation here

If you want more information about the Skills Assessment process, migration, or simply want to connect with other professionals, we invite you to join our WhatsApp group "Latinos Profesionales en Australia" 🇦🇺. Share experiences, ask questions, and find support on your path to residency in Australia. You can also join our Facebook group here.