FAQ - for Australian residents
If I am an Australian permanent resident, how can I obtain an application form for an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate (ARTC)?
You can obtain a TRA application form for an ARTC by contacting the TRA Melbourne Office.
Can I get my skills assessed if I haven't done any formal training?
You can have your trade skills assessed whether you have learnt them through formal training or on-the-job experience.
How does the assessment process work?
The assessment process examines your formal qualifications and the length, nature, breadth and depth of your skills and work experience.
If I haven't received any formal training or was never indentured as an apprentice, how will the assessment process work?
TRA’s assessment criteria require applicants to have sufficient training, skills, knowledge and experience equivalent to an Australian trained tradesperson. Applicants who have not successfully completed formal training recognised by TRA must have been employed for not less than 6 years (7 Years for electrical trades) on work ordinarily performed by a tradesperson in the occupation being assessed and be capable of performing that work in Australia.
What are tradespeople in Australia expected to be capable of?
You must demonstrate that you are capable of doing the broad range of work normally done by, and to the same level of skill as, a tradesperson trained in Australia.
The work of a tradesperson includes:
- reading work instructions and technical drawings common to the trade;
- planning independently the method and order of doing a job;
- using measuring instruments correctly;
- marking out, laying out and setting up trade work;
- selecting appropriate materials, tools, machines and equipment;
- making appropriate settings on tools, machines and equipment;
- performing trade work independently; and
- checking and /or testing work against established standards.
You must also demonstrate that you have adequate background/theoretical knowledge.
Am I required to speak and understand English as part of the assessment process?
No, however English is a migration requirement. Furthermore, to be recognised in the electrical trades, you will need to have a standard of English sufficient to ensure you can read instructions and perform that work safely.
Can my relatives in Australia seek information from TRA on my behalf?
TRA normally deals directly with applicants seeking an assessment of their training and experience. Australia’s privacy legislation prohibits TRA from discussing your application with other people (third parties) unless specifically authorised to do so.
If I am self employed, what evidence must I supply to support my application?
- evidence of trade or trade-related self employment, including:
- a personal statement on a properly signed statutory declaration, affidavit, sworn statement or similar legal declaration (with your signature witnessed by a legal authority in your country), providing full details on:
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the exact commencement and completion date of each period of self employment
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the occupations in which you were self employed
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the nature and content of the work tasks you personally performed
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the number of staff employed and their occupations
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your workshop and the tools and equipment you used
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your business registration certificate covering each period of self employment;
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a statement on letterhead paper from your accountant or legal representative certifying the name and nature of your business, the exact dates of the period of self employment and the capacity in which you have been self employed;
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at least three statements from suppliers, on letterhead paper (if applicable) confirming the nature of your business, dates of trading periods, the total amount of all material/equipment purchased over a 12 month period and the types of all material/equipment supplied;
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at least three statements from clients, on letterhead paper (if applicable), confirming full details of the work you did for them and the dates, including the total amount of contracts executed over a 12 month period;
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evidence of any current trade licensing or registration and the prerequisites you had to meet to obtain the licence or registration; and
If I am employed by a company and have had a period of self employment, what evidence must I supply?
IMPORTANT: THIS EVIDENCE IS ESSENTIAL IN ESTABLISHING YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE EQUIVALENT TO AN AUSTRALIAN TRADESPERSON
You must support all claims by submitting certified copies of the following documents with your application:
- evidence of your identity and age; such as a birth certificate or passport;
- evidence of completing trade or trade related courses (and for supervisors), such as final certificates, diplomas, evidence of the nature and content of the training, including details of the duration, dates of commencement, completion (month and year) and subjects covered, describing the content of each subject studied, and the machines, tools and equipment on which you were trained;
- verifiable statements from your employers to support all your employment as a tradesperson. These statements must be on company letterhead paper signed and dated by a person authorised by your employer; and must include the classification in which you were employed, details of the periods of employment, and a full and detailed description of the nature and content of your work tasks and the tools and equipment you used. STATEMENTS FROM YOUR EMPLOYERS WILL BE VERIFIED;
- evidence of trade training undertaken during service in the armed forces, eg training and employment record (if applicable) and evidence of the nature and content of the training, including details of the duration, date of completion and subjects covered, describing the content of each subject studied, and the machines, tools and equipment on which you were trained.
ALL STATEMENTS MUST BE SIGNED BY A PERSON AUTHORISED TO AND CAPABLE OF MAKING THE STATEMENT AND THEIR NAME, POSITION AND CONTACT DETAILS MUST BE CLEARLY INDICATED.
Can I pay the application fee on behalf of a relative or friend seeking a skills assessment?
Yes, but the application fee must accompany the application form and associated documents.
Which occupation should I select?
If you are unsure of an occupation under the Tradesmen's Rights Regulation Act schedule that best suits your qualifications/training/experience you should either leave the 'trade classification' entry on the front page of the application form blank or seek guidance from TRA by contacting the enquiry line or by email. In any event you will be assessed against all trades. The classification you receive will match your skills and experience.