Jobs in Western Australia - Trades Recognition TRA

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

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. TRA operates nationally, with its central office in Canberra and an office in Melbourne.

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The TRA (Trades Recognition) Body

TRA is the nominated assessing authority for a range of trade and associate professional occupations for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) for skilled migration purposes. For further information on TRA pre-migration skills assessment requirements including application form and how to apply, please click on the following link:

* International Skills Assessment - Pre-Migration

TRA provides national recognition including Australian Recognised Trade Certificates (ARTC’s) in metal and electrical trades for permanent residents in Australia. For further information on TRA ARTC application processes and how to apply for skills assessment, please click on the following link:

* Domestic Skills Assessment

TRA applies a UAC in assessing international stream applications. A new version of the UAC has been released and came into effect from 1 July 2005. TRA invites all applicants and/or their agents to read the document.

Further Changes to TRA Uniform Assessment Criteria (UAC)

In response to feedback on the UAC TRA wishes to advise of an amendment to Section 10, Skill Pathway E (Australian Qualification (AQ) Holders).

Effective as of 12 July 2005 paragraph 10.3.2 no longer applies and is deleted.

This change will be incorporated into the UAC at the next scheduled release in January 2006.

This means that AQF applicants requiring 900 hours work experience may gather that experience at any time either before, during or after acceptable formal training (see UAC Section 10.1).

For more information on the requirements relating to AQF III - 900 hours please see the Frequently Asked Questions.
Relocation of Sydney and Queensland Offices

Trades Recognition Australia would like to advise that its Sydney and Brisbane operations will be relocating to Melbourne on 1 July 2005. For all enquiries concerning applications for Australian Recognised Trade Certificates, please contact (03) 99542537.

Melbourne office postal address is:

Trades Recognition Australia
GPO Box 9879
Melbourne VIC 3001

Trades Recognition Australia would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to its clients.
Changes to TRA requirements for pre migration assessment

From 1 July 2005, applications for international skills assessment - pre-migration which include an AQF qualification obtained through acceptable formal training that commenced after 31 January 2005, must also provide evidence of relevant and directly related work experience equalling not less than 900 hours. For more information click on AQF 900 hours requirement.
Enquiry Line change of operating hours

As of 17 June 2005, TRA's Enquiry line will change it's operating hours on Fridays. Operating hours will now be 9am to 12 noon on Fridays and will remain at 2pm to 5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, Australian Eastern Standard time.

Qualifications Recognition

Australian Education International (AEI), through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), provides official information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with Australian qualifications. This aims to help overseas qualified people work and study in Australia.

Country Education Profiles (CEPs) are now available online! CEPs provide well researched guidelines for comparability of overseas qualifications to Australian qualifications. These guidelines can assist a variety of stakeholders to assess overseas qualifications in relation to Australian qualifications. The CEPs are used by educational institutions, employers, recruitment agencies, professional bodies and government agencies along with individuals wanting to know the educational level of their qualification from an Australian perspective.

Teaching qualifications assessment online – AEI-NOOSR is the relevant assessing authority for teachers who wish to migrate under the General Skilled Migration program.

Educational qualifications assessment online - From 1 July 2005, AEI-NOOSR will be able to receive all applications for an assessment of educational qualifications gained overseas online. In order to ensure that AEI-NOOSR continues to deliver a high quality service to clients and to enable the assessment process to be carried out in a timely manner, it has been necessary to increase the fees for providing this service.
APARNET (The Asia-Pacific Academic Recognition Network)
APARNET was established to promote and facilitate discussion on matters relating to qualifications recognition amongst the National Academic Recognition and Information Centres (NARICs) of the Asia-Pacific region. APARNET assists in the promotion, collection, dissemination and exchange of information on issues relating to higher education systems, assessing authorities and the recognition of educational qualifications within the region.

Frequently asked questions about trade recognition and recognition of overseas qualifications

Can my qualifications be assessed if I did an apprenticeship overseas?
Can I use referees who are not qualified in my trade?
Can I be assessed before migrating?
How many years full-time experience do I need in my trade?
What happens if I have less than 6 years experience after age 21 in my trade?
When would I need to do a trade test or be assessed by an industry assessor?
Can I get a discount or fee exemption if I receive maximum unemployment benefits?
Can my qualifications be assessed if I did an apprenticeship overseas?

Yes. If your trade is one that requires a licence (construction, electrical) you should apply for recognition of your overseas training. All licences require proof of Australian trade certification. Check the list of trades we recognise and if appropriate complete this form .

You must provide evidence of your apprenticeship and any training you have done. You should also include evidence of your work experience in this trade. If your trade skills have been assessed pre-migration, please include a copy of the Trades Recognition Australia letter issued to you. Find out more about recognition of work or training (trade recognition).

Can I use referees who are not qualified in my trade?

No. Your referees should have completed an apprenticeship, because they will then have a better understanding of what is involved in such an apprenticeship. Referees must also have worked with you, so they can comment on your level of skill and knowledge in your trade. Referees should give you a written reference including details of your trade (work) duties.

All applicants must complete the self assessment questionnaire for your trade and include it with the application for trade recognition.

Your referees within Australia are interviewed and asked to assess your skills against this questionnaire list. All applicants will have their skills assessed by an industry assessor or a trade test at a training provider or TAFE college.

Can I be assessed before migrating?

No. The Skills Recognition unit of the Department of Employment and Training cannot assess people for migration purposes. The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs provides information on migration requirements. If you are planning to migrate as a skilled tradesperson please contact Trades Recognition Australia.

How many years full-time experience do I need in my trade?

You need to have 6 years full-time work experience in the trade you are applying for, gained after age 21. This applies if you do NOT hold an overseas apprenticeship.

Training such as apprenticeship training which is completed under the age of 21 may reduce the sixe year full-time work experience criterion. If you have completed some formal training in your trade, you must provide evidence with your application.

If you cannot apply for recognition of work or training because you do not have enough time in your trade, you may be eligible for an apprenticeship or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

If you want to enter into an apprenticeship, your current skill level will be taken into account. The advantage of this process is that you will not be required to learn skills that you already have. It may also lead to earlier completion of your apprenticeship.

What happens if I have less than 6 years experience after age 21 in my trade ?

You need to have 6 years full-time work experience after age 21 in your occupation unless you have completed an apprenticeship overseas. If you do not meet this criteria you may get credit from a training organisation for your knowledge and experience in an apprenticeship, or your prior learning may be recognised. Contact your local departmental office for a list of training organisations that can help you with recognition of prior learning (RPL) in your trade or occupation.

If you need recognition in engineering or electrical trades, please telephone Trades Recognition Australia on (07) 3223 1425 or (07) 3223 1423.

When would I need to do a trade test or be assessed by an industry assessor?

1. All applicants (except those in section 2 below) must undergo a practical assessment. Your local Skills Recognition officer will tell you in writing who will do your practical assessment. This assessment may be done in your workplace or in a training institute such as a TAFE college. The type of workplace and range of work you are performing will determine which location is used.
2. If you have a current AQF Certificate III in your trade you may not require a practical assessment. Please contact your local Skills Recognition officer to find out if your qualification is the current qualification.

Can I get a discount or fee exemption for my application fee if I receive maximum unemployment benefits?

Yes. To apply for a fee reduction, please enclose a current Income statement from Centrelink, stating that you are receiving maximum unemployment benefits, with your application for trade recognition.