Answers by experts in trade occupations - July 2024

For non-licensed trades, does the experience need to be earned post-qualification? 

We accept employment before or after you earn your qualification. 

For a Pathway 1 application, some highly skilled applicants from overseas are paid less than the market salary level and may not have evidence of payment. Will there be any consideration for those clients? 

All financial evidence submitted will be taken into consideration and where the applicant is working in Australia, their income will be compared to the Australian salary level for the nominated occupation. Official evidence of payment is required for employment in Australia and overseas. 

For self-employment with no company registration, such as a contractor working offshore, can my tax return with business income and a letter from my accountant be accepted as payment evidence? 

Yes, these documents are acceptable. Please make sure that your evidence covers the whole duration of self-employment that you are submitting for assessment. 

Can practical assessments for licensed trades be conducted online? 

We are guided by the government and the regulators of the licensed trades, which require us to conduct the practical assessments in person. 

Is a Bachelor of Hospitality Management a relevant qualification for someone who is seeking assessment as a cook? 

If applying for a Pathway 1 assessment, this will depend on how relevant the program of study is to your nominated occupation based on the analysis of the qualification’s transcript. 

For a Pathway 2 assessment, you must submit evidence for an accepted qualification from the list provided in the Pathway 2 Assessment Guide.

When choosing the country of assessment, should I choose Australia or the country where the applicant is located? 

You should select the country where the applicant will be attending their technical interview and, for licensed trades, a practical assessment. 

Is there any VETASSESS agency in Dubai/United Arab Emirates that carries out the technical tests for a commercial cook? 

We have a venue in Dubai where applicants can complete their technical interview. 

We have assessment venues around the world. You can find them listed on our website here