TRA

Updated on 02 Jan 2025

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is a skills assessment service provider specializing in assessments for people with trade skills gained overseas or in Australia, for the purpose of migration and skills recognition in five Programs 

Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)
Job Ready Program (JRP)
Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS)
Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP)
Migration skills Assessment Program (MSA)

The Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) is the initial step for recent international graduates who have completed an Australian qualification and are intending to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It's also a prerequisite for the Job Ready Program (JRP). Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the relevant assessing authority for many trade occupations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA), you must:

• Hold a current and valid passport.
• Have completed an Australian qualification that is directly relevant to the occupation you are applying for.  
• The qualification must be from a CRICOS Provider (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).  
• Nominate an trade occupation for which TRA is the relevant assessing authority.
• Ensure your qualification is at the Certificate III or Certificate IV for your nominated occupation.

Requirements

To submit a decision-ready PSA application, you will generally need to provide the following documents

Passport Identification

Full Qualification Details

Official Certificate: The certificate of your Australian qualification.

Official Academic Transcript/Record of Results: This must show the commencement and completion dates of your study and all units undertaken.  

Evidence of Supervised Work Placement (if required for your occupation): For some occupations, you may need to provide a letter from your education institution or other evidence confirming the required hours of supervised work placement completed in an Australian workplace as part of your qualification.

Application Fee: Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) is AUD $300.

In summary, the PSA is a crucial first step for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants with Australian trade qualifications. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, gather all the required documents.

Apply Online: https://extranet.employment.gov.au/trades/Interface/Pages/Security/Logon.aspx

Job Ready Program

Job Ready Program (JRP)

Step 2: Job Ready Employment (JRE)

Purpose: To gain paid employment experience in your nominated occupation in an Australian workplace.
Requirements:

• Successful PSA outcome (within the last 3 years).
• Hold or have applied for a visa with full (unrestricted) work rights and sufficient time to complete all JRP steps (minimum 12 months validity remaining generally required). This often involves holding a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
• Secure eligible employment in your nominated occupation with a TRA-approved employer. The employment must be:
• Undertaken with the first employer you register for JRE.
• In your nominated occupation.
• Commenced no more than three months immediately before your online JRE application.
• Not used to meet the work requirements for your PSA
• Acceptable pay evidence either on TFN and ABN.
• Your employer must be willing to meet JRP requirements and complete an Employment Verification Report (EVR).
• You need to complete at least 1725 hours of paid employment in your nominated occupation over a minimum of 12 calendar months from your JRE Start Date.  

Step 3: Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)

Purpose: To assess your skills in an Australian workplace.

Requirements:

• Your employment arrangements have been approved by TRA.
• You have completed at least 863 hours of paid employment over a minimum of six
• months from your JRE start date with a TRA-approved employer.
• Provide acceptable Skills Progress Reports (SPRs) and EVRs confirming you are performing relevant tasks and developing the required skills. 
• Be working in a TRA-approved workplace that can facilitate the assessment.
• Your employer must consent to the workplace assessment.  

Step 4: Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)

Purpose: To finalize your skills assessment upon completion of the required employment.

Requirements:

• Successful JRWA outcome.  
• Completion of a minimum of 12 months of full-time paid employment (or equivalent part-time employment), totalling at least 1725 hours, in your nominated occupation with TRA-approved employers from your JRE start date.  
• Provide acceptable pay evidence for the entire employment period.

Provisional Skills Assessment:                $130  

Job Ready Employment:                         $490

Job Ready Workplace Assessment:       $2,845
Subsequent JRWA, if required,              $2,845

Job Ready Final Assessment:                  $75

Maximum Program Duration: You have a maximum of three (3) years to complete the entire JRP from your JRE Start Date.  

Employment: You can have up to five employers throughout the JRP, but at least 6 months of full-time equivalent paid employment must be completed with one employer.

Decision-Ready Applications: Ensure you provide all required documents and complete all sections of the online application to avoid delays.  

Apply Online: https://extranet.employment.gov.au/trades/Interface/Pages/Security/Logon.aspx

2025 Processing Times 

Program Registration	We will write to confirm your registration in the program within 30 days of your online submission date.
Invitation for a Workplace Assessment	We will provide a decision on your eligibility to proceed to a Workplace Assessment within 6 months of your Job Ready Program application.
Workplace Assessment Application	Once you have applied for a Workplace Assessment, we will contact you within 6 weeks to confirm that you have been referred to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). An RTO will contact you to schedule a Workplace Assessment within 2 weeks of our referral.  If you are unable to attend your Workplace Assessment you must contact the RTO directly to cancel or reschedule before your appointment.
Workplace Assessment Outcome	The RTO will provide us with the outcome following your Workplace Assessment.  We will contact you about your Workplace Assessment 11 weeks after the date of your Workplace Assessment.
Final Assessment	Once you have met your participation requirement in the program, we will invite you to the Job Ready Final Assessment.
Document Processing	We may ask you to provide additional or missing information throughout your participation in the program. It can take up to 14 days to process this information from the date it is received.

TSS Skills Assessment

The Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) offers skills assessments for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482). This assessment determines if you possess the necessary skills and experience to work in your nominated trade occupation in Australia at the required level.  

Eligibility

To be eligible for a TRA TSS Skills Assessment, you generally need to:

• Nominated Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations for the TSS Skills Assessment Program and be one that TRA assesses.
• Passport: You must hold a passport from one of the nominated countries.  
• Work Experience: You need to have the required amount of employment experience in your nominated occupation. The specific duration will depend on your occupation and whether you have a relevant Australian qualification. Generally, this includes:
  • Pathway 1 (No relevant Australian qualification): Evidence of at least 3 years of full-time paid employment in a directly related trade, including at least 12 months of full-time paid employment in the nominated trade in the last 3 years before applying.
  • Pathway 2 (With a relevant Australian qualification or a current identified Australian occupational license): Evidence of at least 3 years of full-time experience or part-time equivalent, including current employment in the trade area for at least 12 months in the last 3 years.

Requirements

When applying for a TRA TSS Skills Assessment, you will typically need to provide the following:

Application Form: Completed online application form through the TRA Online Portal.

Identification: Certified copy of your passport.

Qualifications/Training Evidence:

• • • Pathway 1: Evidence of any formal training qualifications (certified copies).
    • Pathway 2: Evidence of your relevant Australian qualification

Employment Evidence:

• • • • • Employer Statements: Employment reference letters from employers on company letterhead, including job description, employment dates, job title, duties, hours worked per week, and salary.
        • Payslips: Verifiable documentary pay evidence (e.g., payslips, bank statements showing salary deposits, tax returns).  
        • Resume/Work History: A current resume outlining your work experience.
        • Photographic/Video Evidence: May be required by the RTO to show you performing work tasks using the appropriate tools and PPE.  

The specific documentary requirements can vary depending on your chosen RTO and assessment pathway.

Application Fee: The fees for the TRA TSS Skills Assessment Program are paid directly to TRA through their Online Portal. The fees vary depending on the assessment pathway and any subsequent reviews or reassessments that may be required.  

Pathway 1 (No relevant Australian qualification):

• Documentary Evidence Assessment:  AUD $1,120
• Technical Interview:                             AUD $2,000
• Practical Assessment (if required):       AUD $2,200

Pathway 2 (With relevant Australian qualification):

• Documentary Evidence Assessment: AUD $1,120
• Technical Interview:                            AUD $900

Offshore Skills Assessment

The Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) offers the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) for individuals applying for a skilled migration visa to Australia, who are currently working in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country. This program assesses if you have the skills and experience necessary to work in Australia at the required level for your nominated occupation.  

Here's a breakdown of the eligibility, requirements, and application fees for the TRA Offshore Skills Assessment Program:

Eligibility:

To be eligible for OSAP, you must:

• Be applying for a skilled migration visa to Australia  
• Be working in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country
• For certain licensed occupations (Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, Electrician, or Plumber), this requirement applies regardless of your passport country.
• Need a skills assessment through OSAP if your country of passport is listed next to your occupation in the relevant table provided by TRA.
• If your country of passport is not listed, you may still be eligible if you can travel to Australia or another OSAP-nominated country for an assessment and obtain the correct visa for that travel.

Requirements:

The specific requirements depend on the assessment pathway you are eligible for:

Pathway 1: For applicants who do not have a relevant Australian qualification in their trade.

• You will need to provide documentary evidence of your employment, skills, and knowledge.  
• If your documentation meets the requirements, you will likely be invited to a practical assessment and/or a technical interview.

Pathway 2: For applicants who have either:

• A relevant Australian qualification.
• A current identified Australian occupational license (without restrictions).  
• You will need to provide evidence of your Australian qualification or license and relevant work experience.
• You may be invited to a technical interview.  

General Requirements (for both pathways):

• Passport: You will need to provide details from your valid passport.
• Employment Evidence: This will include pay slips, employment contracts, references from employers, and other relevant documents to prove your work experience in your nominated occupation. The specific requirements for employment evidence are detailed in the OSAP Applicant Guidelines.  
• Qualifications and Training Evidence: Provide any relevant qualifications, training records, or apprenticeship papers you hold.
• RTO Assessment Payment Code: You will need to choose a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to conduct your assessment and obtain a payment code from them before registering with TRA.  

Application Fee:

Pathway 1:

• Stage 1 - Documentary Evidence Assessment: AUD $1,120
• Stage 2 - Technical Interview: AUD $2,000
• Stage 3 - Practical Assessment: AUD $2,200
• Reassessment - Stage 1 Documentary Evidence: AUD $450  
• Reassessment - Stage 2 Technical Interview: AUD $1,000
• Reassessment - Stage 3 Practical Assessment: AUD $1,100

Pathway 2:

• Stage 1 - Documentary Evidence Assessment: AUD $1,120
• Stage 2 - Technical Interview: AUD $900
• Reassessment - Stage 1 Documentary Evidence: AUD $450  
• Reassessment - Stage 2 Technical Interview: AUD $450

How to Apply:

• Check your eligibility and ensure OSAP is the correct program for you and your occupation.
• Choose a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) from the RTO Finder on the TRA website that conducts assessments for your occupation and preferred location (if applicable).  
• Contact the chosen RTO to confirm your eligibility, discuss program requirements, assessment locations, and obtain a payment code.  
• Register for OSAP through the TRA online portal using the payment code provided by the RTO.  
• Pay the required Stage 1 Documentary Evidence Assessment fee through the TRA online portal.
• Undertake the Technical Interview and/or Practical Assessment if required by your pathway and occupation. These will be conducted by the RTO.

Migration Skills Assessment

The MPA program is for applicants with a successful Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) skills assessment outcome who want to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a points-tested, independent skilled migration visa. It is a paper based skills assessment of your qualification/s and employment history to determine comparability with Australian standards for a skilled worker in your nominated occupation.

The MSA program is for migration purposes only.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the MSA program if your nominated occupation is: 

• To be eligible to apply for MSA, you must have a successful skills assessment outcome from TRA in your nominated occupation.
• listed on the on the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) website with TRA as the relevant skills assessing authority. 
• Relevant to your qualification and/or apprenticeship 
• Relevant to your employment.

Fees

• Migration Points Advice based on a TRA Migration Skills Assessment or a skills assessment from another TRA program $410
• Migration Points Advice Review $350

Guidelines :

Apply Online:

Contact Details:

Enquiry line times

Monday to Friday
10.00 am to 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
Australian Eastern Standard Time, excluding public holidays (GMT +10 hours).

Phone (outside Australia): [phone]

Phone (in Australia): 1 300 360 992

Email: [e-mail]

Postal address

Trades Recognition Australia
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
GPO Box 9880
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

Courier address

Trades Recognition Australia
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Via Loading Dock 50 Marcus Clarke Street
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

50 Marcus Clarke Street
CANBERRA ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA