TRA Skills Assessment: Job Ready Program and Trades Recognition for Skilled Migrants

TRA Skills Assessment for Trades Professionals

Trades Recognition Australia is the designated assessing authority for skilled trade occupations in Australia's migration program. TRA assesses whether a person's trade skills meet Australian standards through multiple assessment pathways designed for different applicant circumstances.

TRA Assessment Pathways

TRA offers five assessment pathways. Pathway 1 is the Job Ready Program for international student graduates who hold a relevant Australian trade qualification. Pathway 2 is the Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment for applicants with a valid job offer and employer sponsorship. Pathway 3 is the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) for overseas applicants without Australian qualifications. Pathway 4 is the Migration Skills Assessment for applicants seeking independent skilled migration. Pathway 5 is the Skills Pathway Program for applicants without formal trade qualifications but with extensive work experience.

Job Ready Program Stages

The Job Ready Program consists of four stages. Stage 1: Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) costs AUD 2,670 and verifies your Australian qualifications and skills. Stage 2: Job Ready Employment (JRE) requires 12 months of paid employment in your trade with an approved employer. Stage 3: Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) involves an on-site assessment by a TRA-approved assessor observing your trade skills. Stage 4: Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA) confirms completion of all stages. The entire program typically takes 12-18 months to complete.

Offshore Skills Assessment Program

The OSAP is for tradespeople outside Australia seeking skilled migration. It requires: trade qualifications from your home country, three or more years of relevant employment, and a positive skills assessment through document review and technical interview. OSAP covers trades including chef, cook, bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, motor mechanic, hairdresser, and pastry cook. The assessment involves a document review stage (AUD 2,670) and if passed, a practical technical interview (AUD 2,000).

Trade Occupation Categories

TRA assesses over 40 trade occupations. High-demand trades include: Chef (351311), Cook (351411), Bricklayer (331111), Carpenter (331212), Electrician (341111), Plumber (334111), Welder (322313), Motor Mechanic (321211), Fitter (323211), Sheetmetal Trades Worker (322211), Hairdresser (391111), Cabinetmaker (394111), Painter (332211), and Floor Finisher (332211). Each trade has specific qualification and experience requirements. Trades on the Medium and Long-term Skills List are eligible for independent migration while others require employer sponsorship.

Evidence Requirements

TRA requires detailed evidence of trade qualifications and supervised work experience. Acceptable evidence includes: trade certificates or diplomas, apprenticeship completion certificates, detailed employer references describing specific trade tasks performed, wage records, training records, and photographic evidence of work completed. Self-employed tradespeople require business registration, client contracts, and statutory declarations. All evidence must show progression from apprentice-level tasks to independent trade-level work.