Trades Skils Recognition

Article by: Elizabeth
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

To aid with Trades Recognition one of your first tasks is to ensure all your professional qualifications and certifcates have been assessed by the relevant professional organisation or by NOOSR - the national office of overseas recognition. If you have appointed a migration agent, they may have already carried this out as part of your migration assessment. The action can be carried out only for migration purposes. However, when you apply to join an Australian professional or trade body or gain a license for your profession, your qualifications may have to be reassessed by that particular body.

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If applicable, your partner should also have their qualifications assessed whilst still in the UK which will save time and effort once in Western Australia

It is worth contacting your UK professional body as they may have an affiliation with the relevant Australian professional body.

It would be wise to find out whether the occupation you wish to undertake in Western Australia requires you to be registered or licensed. A number of professions do need to be licensed by the State of Western Australian i.e. health professionals as an example.

Some other occupations requiring registration and licensing are:

Aircraft maintenance workers Air conditioning engineers Builders Electricians Gas fitters Plumbers Refrigeration engineers

This list is not exhaustive so you really do need to check with your relevant professional or trade organisation.

Getting a Positive Skilled Assessment Skills Recognition

To migrate to Australia as a skilled trades migrant under the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) General Skilled Trades Migration Program you will need to obtain a positive skills assessment.

The ‘Skilled Trades’ program is specifically designed to target migrants who have skilled or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy.

General Skilled Trades Migration Program

If you want to apply to live permanently in Australia under one of the General Skilled Trades Migration visa categories, you must:

Be under 45 years of age at the time you apply (unless you have been invited to apply for a General Skilled Trades Migration visa)
Have your occupation listed on the Skilled Trades Occupation List
Have your skills assessed as being suitable for this occupation (in Australia organisations known as nominated assessing authorities carry out this role)
Have a high level of English - Have recent skilled trades work experience or have recently completed an Australian qualification as the result of two years full-time study in Australia, or be an eligible Occupational Trainee or Working Holiday visa holder

If you do not meet all of the above requirements, you should not apply for a General Skilled Trades Migration visa. There may be other skilled trades visa options that better suit you.

Skilled Trades Assessment

To apply for a General Skilled Trades Migration visa you must nominate an occupation that is on the Skilled Trades Occupation List at the time you apply.

Please note that there are limited opportunities for teachers and computer professionals. Further information is available on DIMIA website.

This document lists all eligible occupations for General Skilled Migration, the number of points awarded for each occupation and is available from DIMA's website.

However, if your nominated occupation is Medical Practitioner, specific information on skills assessments for this profession is also available.

Each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges. You are strongly advised to contact the appropriate organisation well before you intend to lodge your visa application.

Some of DIMIA’s key assessing authorities include:

Trades Recognition Australia

This organisation is the nominated assessment authority for a range of trades and associate professional occupations for skilled trades migration purposes.

For more information please visit www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Migrant/TradesRecognitionAustralia.htm