TRA Skill Assessment Overview

The Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Skill Assessment service is designed for prospective migrants who have acquired trade skills overseas or for international students who have completed their trade qualifications in Australia.

TRA Skills Assessments Programs

TRA offers various assessment programs tailored to your specific occupation, country of passport, educational background, and the type of visa you are seeking.

TRA Job Ready Program (JRP)

The TRA Job Ready Program (JRP) is an employment-based skills assessment initiative for international student graduates who hold an Australian qualification. The JRP provides applicants with the opportunity to enhance their skills and gain valuable work experience in an Australian environment before applying to the Department of Home Affairs for a skills migration visa.

The JRP consists of four key steps:

1. Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA): Applicants must complete 360 hours of workplace training before applying. The fee for this step is AUD 300.
2. Job Ready Employment (JRE): Applicants must complete 1,725 hours of workplace training during this step. The fee is AUD 500.
3. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA): Applicants are required to complete 863 hours over six months, commencing from the start date of JRE. The fee is AUD 2,000.
4. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA): Applicants must complete 1,725 hours over 12 months, starting from the commencement date of JRE. The fee is AUD 150.

TRA TSS Skills Assessment Program

The Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Skills Assessment Program caters to applicants who need a skills assessment to apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). There are two pathways available under this program:

• Pathway 1: For applicants without Australian qualifications in their trade.
• Pathway 2: For applicants holding Australian qualifications in their trade.

TRA Offshore Skills Assessment

The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is available for applicants requiring a skills assessment to apply for a skilled migration visa through the Department of Home Affairs.

TRA Migration Skills Assessment

The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Program is intended for applicants who need a skills assessment for skilled migration visa applications with the Department of Home Affairs.

TRA Migration Points Advice

The Migration Points Advice (MPA) Program is available for applicants who have received a successful TRA skills assessment outcome and are applying for a points-tested, independent skilled migration visa.

1. JRP Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)

To qualify for a PSA, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an international student visa (as the primary visa holder) to study in Australia.
• Possess a qualification relevant to an occupation assessed by TRA, awarded by a CRICOS-registered training organization (RTO) in Australia.
• Provide evidence of a minimum of 360 hours of employment and/or vocational placement relevant to the qualification and nominated occupation, completed in an Australian workplace within the three years prior to submitting the PSA application.

A successful PSA outcome can be used to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). It is essential to obtain a successful PSA outcome before proceeding to Step 2, Job Ready Employment (JRE) of the JRP.

Required Documents for PSA Application

Applicants must upload their PSA application documents in PDF format, which should include:

• A copy of the passport identification page of the current passport. If the qualification was completed under a different passport, include a copy of the identification page from the previous passport.
• A copy of the Australian qualifications relevant to the nominated occupation, along with the full academic transcript of results for all qualifications, including commencement and completion dates of study in Australia.
• Evidence of a minimum of 360 hours of employment and/or vocational placement relevant to the qualification and nominated occupation. This evidence must be submitted as a single PDF document containing pay slips in chronological order.

Employment Evidence Requirements

For employment to be considered eligible for PSA purposes, it must have been undertaken at an Australian workplace within the three years prior to the PSA application date. Employment evidence must include both pay evidence and work statements, as outlined below:

Pay Evidence:

• For employees: Copies of pay slips or payroll printouts must demonstrate the following minimum information: employee name, employer name, employer ABN (if applicable), hours worked and/or hourly rate, gross pay, and dates worked.
• For subcontracting arrangements: Copies of invoices must show the minimum required details, including the subcontractor’s ABN, dates worked, hours billed for each job, total hours billed, and the business name and ABN of the other party involved in the arrangement.

Work Statements:

• A signed and dated work statement from employers/contractors must be on the employer’s business letterhead, stating the occupation, start and finish dates, total hours of employment, and a description of the work performed, including regular tasks, tools, and equipment used. The statement must also include the name, position, and contact details of the individual authorizing the statement.

Vocational Placement Evidence Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• Copies of time sheets or logbooks supporting any claimed vocational placements completed in Australia in the last three years.
• Work statements from the RTO confirming that the vocational placement was a requirement of the submitted qualification, detailing start and finish dates, total hours, and location, as well as a description of the nature and content of the work undertaken. The statement must be signed and dated by an authorized person, including their name, position, and contact details.

All employment and/or vocational placement evidence submitted must total a minimum of 360 hours.

2. JRP Job Ready Employment (JRE)

To be eligible for JRE, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have received a successful PSA outcome.
• Have less than four months remaining on their student visa.
• Hold or have lodged an application with Home Affairs for a visa with full (unrestricted) work rights that allows sufficient time to complete Steps 2-4 of the JRP (a minimum of 12 months).
• Have secured eligible employment.

Note: A student visa with more than four months remaining or a training visa is not accepted for this program.

Required Documents for JRE Application

The following documents must be submitted for the JRE application:

• An Employment Verification Report (EVR), signed and dated by the employer and nominated supervisor.
• A copy of the current Visa Grant Notification (TRA does not accept VEVO printouts). Any pending visa notices should also be provided.
• Pay evidence covering the prior employment claim period, if applicable. This must be presented as a single PDF document with pay slips in chronological order.
• A copy of the passport identification page if a new passport has been issued since the PSA application.

Additional Employer or Change of Employer: If there are multiple employers or if the applicant changes employers during the program, employment details must be submitted through the TRA Portal. This should be done as soon as possible after starting new employment.

Employment hours with additional or new employers will only be calculated from the date the employer’s details are registered in the TRA Online Portal. There is no JRE application fee for registering additional employers.

An EVR must also be completed for any additional employers, with a maximum of five employers allowed. At least 863 paid work hours must be completed with one employer.

JRE Start Date: The JRE Start Date is typically the date the applicant applied through the TRA Online Portal unless otherwise varied by TRA. The start date will be available in the TRA Online Portal account.

Claiming Prior Employment

Applicants can claim up to three consecutive months of paid employment immediately preceding their online JRE application. Claims must be submitted during the JRE application process and require acceptable pay evidence for the claimed period.

Prior employment will only be recognized if it meets specific criteria, including being undertaken with the first eligible employer registered for JRE, in the nominated occupation, and not already used to satisfy PSA application work requirements.

Applicants must complete at least 1,725 hours of paid employment in their nominated occupation over a minimum of 12 calendar months from their JRE Start Date. Leave periods (including paid leave) cannot be included in the 1,725 hours.

In cases of part-time employment, unemployment, or extended leave, completing the required hours may take longer than 12 months. Even if 1,725 hours are completed in less than 12 months, the applicant must still complete 12 months from their JRE Start Date to be eligible for the Job Ready Final Assessment.

TRA Skills Assessment Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Criteria for Different Streams

1. Job Ready Program (JRP):
   • Must have completed an Australian qualification related to an occupation on the Medium and Long Term Skills Shortage List.
   • Must be a primary holder of a student visa.
   • Must complete a minimum of 360 hours of employment and/or vocational placement directly related to your qualification and occupation within the three years immediately prior to submitting your JRP application.
2. TSS Skills Assessment Program:
   • Must show evidence of skills and experience, including training documents, employment evidence, and employment statements.
   • If licensed with no formal training: 6 years of experience.
   • If licensed with training: 4 years of experience.
   • For non-licensed trades with no formal training: 5 years of experience.
   • For non-licensed trades with formal training: 3 years of experience.

TRA Skills Assessment Checklist

To obtain a skills assessment, you will need to provide the following documentation:

1. Identity Documents:
   • Passport, and if applicable, proof of name change (e.g., marriage or divorce certificate).
2. Academic Certificates:
   • All academic certificates and transcripts after Year 12.
3. Employment Records:
   • Employment reference letters, payslips, tax records, superannuation payment records, and bank statements covering the last 10 years.
4. English Proficiency:
   • Some skills assessment authorities may require English test results.

TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)

TRA provides a skill assessment service for prospective migrants who gained trade skills overseas and for international students who completed their trade qualifications in Australia.

Important Notes

• Ensure all documents are current and accurately reflect your qualifications and experience.
• Keep track of any updates or additional requirements communicated by TRA throughout the assessment process.
• Submissions should be made through the TRA Online Portal, where necessary documentation can be uploaded for review.
• It’s essential to maintain communication with TRA and respond promptly to any requests for information or clarification during your assessment.

By understanding and preparing these requirements, you can enhance your chances of successfully completing your skills assessment and moving forward in the migration process. If you have any specific questions about any section or need further clarification, feel free to ask!