Questions and answers - new assessment service
Questions and answers about the new skills assessment service for people intending to migrate to Australia from India, Sri Lanka, UK, South Africa and the Philippines in certain trades.
To whom does the new skills assessment service apply?
The new skills assessment service applies only to residents of India, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, South Africa and the Philippines who wish to have their skills assessed for these trades:
- general electrician
- refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic
- motor mechanic
- general plumber
- carpenter and joiner
- bricklayer
- cable jointer
- electrical powerline tradesperson
Please note: The new skills assessment service does NOT apply to residents of Guernsey, Jersey (the Channel Islands) or the Isle of Man.
Which organisation will be conducting the new skills assessment service?
VETASSESS, in a consortium with a number of Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will be conducting the new skills assessment service. VETASSESS is an RTO that specialises in a range of assessment services in Australia and internationally. VETASSESS will be responsible for managing this new service and will lead a number of RTOs that will conduct practical assessments in the countries listed above.
Consortium members include Kangan Batman TAFE, Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Victoria University, Swan TAFE, Great Southern TAFE, South West Regional College and Central Gippsland TAFE.
When will VETASSESS start accepting applications from prospective migrants from the specified countries and trades?
From 1 September 2007.
Will TRA continue to accept applications from prospective migrants for the specified trades and countries until 1 September 2007?
TRA will continue to accept applications from applicants for the specified trades and countries until 31 August 2007. Applications post-marked on or before 31 August 2007 will be assessed by TRA. Applications post-marked on or after 1 September 2007 will be returned to the applicant with the fee and advised that they will have to reapply to VETASSESS in order to have their trade qualifications assessed.
If I am a resident of one of these five countries and have made an unsuccessful application to TRA in one of these eight trades, will I still be eligible for a review of my application after 1 September 2007?
Applications for review by TRA will be accepted within 60 calendar days of finalisation of an original application. If following an unsuccessful original application to TRA, an individual elects to lodge a new application with VETASSESS, the right to a review from TRA is no longer available.
How will I be assessed in this new assessment service?
The assessment will involve:
- a free self-assessment tool that will help the applicant determine if they have the skills required. This self assessment tool will describe the critical competencies and major skill sets required to meet Australian standards.
- a paper based assessment to review the applicant’s training and work experience evidence
- a practical assessment and technical interview conducted in country.
More information is available on the VETASSESS website. Go to Skills assessment for migration at www.vetassess.com.au
Will all applicants have to do a practical assessment?
Yes. A practical assessment that includes a technical interview is a mandatory requirement for a successful outcome.
The technical interview will involve a series of interview questions developed for each occupation. Questions will focus on the critical aspects of key skill sets, will be written in plain English and will use a mix of open ended questions and questions requiring specific answers.
The practical assessment will involve a series of ‘challenge tests’ or simulated activities that integrate a number of the key skill sets required for the occupation and relevant Australian qualification.
Appropriate assessment facilities will be used in each country for the practical assessment and technical interview.
Will these assessments require English language skills?
Yes, all elements of the assessment will be conducted in English.
How long will it take to assess my application under the new arrangements?
This information is on the VETASSESS website. Go to Skills assessment for migration at www.vetassess.com.au
How much will it cost to be assessed under the new arrangements?
This information is available on the VETASSESS website. Go to Skills assessment for migration at www.vetassess.com.au
Will I have to pay all of the fees up front?
This information is available on the VETASSESS website. Go to Skills assessment for migration at www.vetassess.com.au
What are the benefits of the new arrangements?
Some of the benefits are:
- Successful applicants will have more certainty than they do now that they will be able to work in their nominated occupation upon arrival to Australia.
- Applicants in the licensed electrical and plumbing occupations will receive an outcome that will entitle them to a provisional licence which will allow them to work under supervision without having to undertake additional skills testing once they arrive in Australia.
- Applicants in non-licensed occupations will receive an Australian qualification that demonstrates they have the full range of skills of the trade.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with a detailed assessment outcome. This will provide them with guidance on additional training and/or work experience required to meet the standard.
What documentation will I get if I am successful?
If you apply for skills recognition as a motor mechanic, bricklayer or a carpenter and joiner and are successful, you will be awarded an Australian qualification. You will also receive a letter from the VETASSESS that states that you have met pre-migration skills assessment requirements.
If you are a general plumber, general electrician, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic, cable jointer or electrical powerline tradesperson you will receive a document called an “Offshore Record of Technical Skills”. This document will entitle the holder to a provisional licence in that trade (subject to meeting any non-skill requirements). It will also detail the gap training the successful applicant will need to undertake when they get to Australia. You will also get a letter from VETASSESS that states you have met pre-migration skills assessment requirements.
Unsuccessful applicants will get a record of assessment that details where they have met the assessment standard and where they have not met the assessment standard.
Can any Registered Training Authority assess my application for pre-migration purposes under the General Skilled Migration program?
No. Only VETASSESS has the authority to assess applications in the COAG specified countries and trades for pre-migration purposes under the General Skilled Migration program.
Where can I find more information on the requirements for migration visas?
Please go to the immigration website (visas) at: www.immi.gov.au/immigration.htm