Skilled Migration For Trades FAQs

If applicable, evidence of name change must be provided to address any naming inconsistencies in the documents submitted. This is to support your identity.

For professional or trades occupations, find out more information on our refund policy here.  

For trades occupations, all fees for a skills assessment are paid directly to TRA. 

Check the Guidelines on the TRA website for information on fees and refunds.

You must upload your evidence online as part of the application process. You must submit all relevant evidence before you pay for your assessment.

You must upload colour scans of original documents. The minimum scan resolution is 150 dpi (dots per inch).

Processing time varies depending on the skills assessment program and other factors, such as whether all required documentary evidence has been provided. You can find the approximate processing times here. 

If you are or have been self-employed, you must provide evidence of your employment in your trade. Please refer to the Evidence Guide for more information about the types of evidence you should provide.

One recent passport-sized colour photograph is required. The photograph must be no more than six months old and of good quality (self-taken photographs are not acceptable). See requirements and specifications for taking and supplying a passport photo here.

For more information regarding the employment experience requirements for a Pathway 1 application, please refer to the Pathway 1 Employment Experience Guidelines.

Please refer to the Pathway 2 Candidate Guide for a list of accepted Australian qualifications for each occupation assessed by VETASSESS.

You must provide one of the accepted qualifications listed for your nominated occupation at the time of application. If you do not provide an accepted qualification (or if you provide a qualification listed for an occupation different to the occupation you are applying for) at the time of application, you will receive a negative outcome and no refund will apply.

If you do not meet the requirements for your nominated occupation, you will be issued with a letter that states that you have not met the pre-migration skills assessment requirements. The letter will indicate the assessment components where your application did not meet the requirements.

If you disagree with the outcome, you should discuss your case with the assessor who will advise you on the options available for a reassessment where applicable.

If your documents are not in English, you will need to have them translated into English. You need to submit copies of the original documents as well as the English translations. Please note that a registered translation service must be used.

Please refer to the Offshore Technical Skills Record Information Sheet.

USI stands for Unique Student Identifier. It is your individual education number and gives you an online record of your training and assessment undertaken in Australia.

VETASSESS collects USI details as part of the enrolment process if;

• You are applying for Pathway 1 Offshore Skills Assessment Program or TSS Skills Assessment Program
• You are going to undertake your assessment in Australia

The USI records Units of Competency completed against a National Recognised Training qualification or Statement of Attainment.

It is important to note that an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) does not form part of National Recognised Training qualification documentation but rather provides a pathway to obtain a qualification. As such, we will only be able to record your OTSR results against your USI when issuing you a qualification.

If you are currently licensed or registered to work as an electrician, plumber or refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic in Australia, you may be eligible to apply to be assessed under Pathway 2.

A Successful Skills Assessment Result Letter, and

If applying under Pathway 1:

• an Australian Certificate III or IV qualification in your trade area.
• a Statement of Results listing the units you are competent in

If you successfully complete Stage 2 you will receive the following: 

• a Successful Skills Assessment Result Letter
• an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR)

If you are unsuccessful in Stage 2 you will receive: 

• an Unsuccessful Skills Assessment Result Letter detailing the areas where you were not able to demonstrate the required trade skills and knowledge

Click here for a full list of our assessment locations