Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Job Ready Program
From 1 January 2010 there is a requirement that applicants for Subclass 885, 886 and 487 visas who nominate a
trade occupation must be assessed through the Job Ready Program (previously referred to as the Job Ready Test).
Applicants for Skilled – Independent (Subclass 885), Skilled – Sponsored (Subclass 886) and Skilled – Regional
Sponsored (Subclass 487) visas must have their skills assessed as suitable for their nominated occupation before
the visa application is lodged.
Subclass 885, 886 and 487 applicants who have nominated a trade occupation must have had their skills assessed
by the relevant assessing authority, on or after 1 January 2010.
Applicants for a Skilled – Independent (Subclass 175), Skilled – Sponsored (Subclass 176) or Skilled – Regional
Sponsored (Subclass 475) visa, who nominate a trade occupation, must have worked in the skilled occupation for at
least 12 months in the period of 24 months ending immediately before the day on which the application was made.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Job Ready Program
From 1 January 2010 TRA has a new skills assessment program, the Job Ready Program.
The Job Ready Program is a four step process, and all four of the steps must be completed to satisfy the Job Ready Program.
Step 1 – Apply for a Provisional Skills Assessment
A successful outcome will enable you to apply to DIAC for a 485 skilled graduate temporary visa.
TRA says the requirements for this Provisional Skills Assessment are similar to the previous TRA skills
assessment process.
To be eligible to apply for a Provisional Skills Assessment you must:
?hold a valid visa
?hold an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification in an occupation assessed by TRA
?have an IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the four bands of the IELTS test (or hold a valid passport from
and are a citizen of the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, New Zealand, United States of America (USA),
Republic of Ireland
?pay the AUD $300.00 Provisional Skills Assessment Fee
?have relevant work experience performed in Australia that demonstrates a range of tasks and duties of the
occupation you are qualified in.
Supporting documentation required include a statement from your employer about your work experience in Australia over at least six months. The statement must detail the occupation in which you were employed; exact periods of employment; and a description of the nature and content of your work along with the machines, tools and equipment used.
Stage 1, the Provisional Skills Assessment:
?Amount of work experience: 2 days per week for 6 months. TRA will be flexible about this and look at it on a
case-by-case basis. It could be work on a regular basis or in holiday periods.
?Work as part of a course (for example, industry placement) can be counted towards the requirement, providing
it is in a commercial environment.
?Overseas work experience does not count – must be in an Australian workplace.
?Unpaid work can be counted, providing this was legally conducted.
?Level of work experience expected is at about the 1st/2nd year apprentice level. For example, work as a kitchen
hand may be counted for a skills assessment as a cook. A range and variety of tasks is the important thing.
?IELTS results up to 2 years old can be submitted.
Step 2 – Complete the Job Ready Employment
On a 485 visa you will have 18 months to complete the required 12 months of full time employment that will enable
you to gain more skills and experience in an Australian workplace. You will also gain valuable training in
Australian workplace culture and language.
Compliance with this step will include Employer Registration, an Employment Contract and a Workplace Log.
Stage 2: Job Ready Employment
?TRA will accept up to 60 working days of employment prior to registration – this is to cover off the period
where the necessary documentation is being finalised by TRA and any current 485 holders.
?Full time employment in accordance with industry awards, usually 38 hours per week. Part time work experience
will not be accepted.
?Salary level – must be paid in accordance with industry awards.
?The “contract” referred to on TRA website would more accurately be described as an agreement signed by the
employer to participate in the Job Ready Program. An employer would still have a separate contract with the
employee.
?The agreement (“contract”) between TRA and the employer must be made within 30 days of the employment being
registered.
?Change of employer is possible during this period of 12 months employment.
?Logbook will need to be completed by employer regularly. This can be done online.
?Monitoring will be conducted on a risk assessment basis to determine whether the workplace is genuine and the
employment is genuine. However all workplaces will be visited at least once.
?Self-employment will not satisfy requirements here, due to credibility issues in relation to supervision.
Step 3 – Complete a Job Ready Workplace Assessment
You will have an opportunity to demonstrate your trade skills in the workplace to a TRA approved assessor.
Stage 3: Workplace Assessment
?Workplace assessment would generally take about one day. However, if a review is required, a second day may be
involved.
?Students will be expected to be able to show the full range of duties involved in the trade in the test.
Step 4 – Apply for a Job Ready Final Assessment
You will have collected all the evidence required during Steps 1, 2 & 3 to apply for a final assessment which
can be used as the skills assessment required to apply for permanent migration.
To gain a successful skills assessment as an onshore applicant with a trade qualification to enable you to
apply to DIAC for a residence visa, you must successfully complete all four steps of the Job Ready Program.
Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via our email address – david@emigrateaustralia.com.au .
Would you like to have a FREE Skills Assessment, please click on the section at the top of the front page.
