Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Changes Assessment Process
In September 2007, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), removed “Pathway D”, which enabled those without formal training in their chosen occupation, to be assessed and certified. The applicant could then apply for a Skilled visa, without actually having a formal apprenticeship or Tertiary Training.
Since this date, it has been very difficult for any skilled worker, without the required formal education to apply for an Australian Skilled visa.
On the 1st September 2008, TRA is intending to reduce the number of Pathways for assessment to two. This will be called the Migration Assessment Policy (MAP). They will be known as – Skill Stream “A” and Skill Stream “B”.
An announcement was made by TRA on the 25th August, saying that they have delayed the release of the MAP indefinitely. No further advice has been given, but it is assumed that after consultation with interested parties within the industry, fine tuning is still required.
Once an announcement is made this website will be up-dated immediately, but until this occurs, an outline of what TRA was intending to release on 1st September for Streams A & B is as follows:-
SKILL STREAM “A” is within Australia and requires the applicant to have:-
Formal Vocational Training (FVT) must be in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), by an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO), awarding an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or above. For those outside Australia, FVT will be done in accordance with AQFT and must result in an AQF Certificate III or above in the chosen occupation by a Training Organisation or Institute which will be recognised by TRA. For example, in the United Kingdom, this would equate to the NVQ III.
or
Formal Skills Recognition (FSR) which is obtained through completion of an AQFT workplace assessment in the chosen occupation, resulting in an AQF Certificate III or above. Similarly to the FVT, those outside Australia, their FSR will be done in accordance with AQFT and must result in an AQF Certificate III or above in their chosen occupation. For example, in the United Kingdom, this would equate to the NVQ III.
As from 1st January 2009, any training commenced must be delivered by an Australian RTO listed on the AusLIST Directory.
Employment.
Both FVT and FSR must show certain amounts of employment.
FVT must show no less than 900 hours of employment, showing a skill level transition and will not show any Institutional based workplace training.
FSR must show no less than 3 years employment
This employment can be before, during or after obtaining the AQF Certificate III or above.
Metal and Electrical Trades. The Australian Recognised Trade Certificate (ARTC) which is issued under the “Tradesmen’s Rights Regulations Act 1946 (TRR Act), will meet the requirements for Pathway “A”.
SKILL STREAM “B” is for International applicants and requires the applicant to have either FVT or FSR:-
FVT must consist of Structured Institutional Base Tuition, resulting in the awarding of a formally recoginised qualification in the chosen occupation. There is no restriction on the length of the study.
FSR must be as a result from a workplace assessment by an organisation accredited by an authorised Government Body, whose standards can be independently verified by TRA, which result in the award of a Formally Recognised Qualification applicable to the chosen occupation.
or
be confirmed through a recognised industrial or occupational licence. A Government Recognised Licence from the country of the applicant will surfice, providing evidence of this recognition can be shown.
Employment
Applicants must also demonstrate no less than 4 years employment in the chosen occupation. However, if the applicant can provide evidence that they have completed Formal Vocational Training, showing Skill Level Transition, they are able to claim a maximum of 12 months credit towards their 4 years employment.
<!–[endif]–>
