TRA Skill Assessment
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Skill Assessment – Your Pathway for Skilled Trades Migration to Australia
If you are a skilled trades professional planning to work or settle in Australia, the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Skill Assessment is a critical step in your migration journey. TRA is the official skills assessment authority for a wide range of trade occupations and plays a key role in Australia’s skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa programs.
A positive TRA assessment is often mandatory for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) and employer-sponsored visas such as Subclass 482 and Subclass 186.
At GIEC Global, our migration specialists and Australian migration lawyers assist trade professionals worldwide to prepare strong, compliant, and occupation-specific TRA applications.
What Is the TRA Skill Assessment?
The TRA Skill Assessment evaluates whether your:
- Trade qualifications, and
- Hands-on work experience
meet Australian standards for your nominated trade occupation under the ANZSCO system.
TRA assessments apply to occupations such as:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters and Joiners
- Motor Mechanics
- Welders and Fabricators
- Chefs and Cooks
- Fitters, Turners, and Machinists
Without a positive TRA outcome, most trade-based visa applications cannot proceed.
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Why TRA Skill Assessment Is Important?
✔ For Australian Permanent Residency (PR)
A positive TRA assessment is required to:
- Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Claim skilled migration points
- Apply for PR visas such as Subclass 189, 190, and 491
✔ For Employer-Sponsored Visas
TRA assessments are also essential for:
It confirms that your trade skills meet Australian workplace standards and supports employer nomination.
TRA Skill Assessment Pathways
TRA offers different assessment pathways depending on your background, including:
- Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)
- Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP)
- Job Ready Program (JRP)
- Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment (TSS-SA)
Choosing the correct pathway is crucial to avoid refusal or delays.
Step-by-Step TRA Skill Assessment Process
Step 1: Select the Correct ANZSCO Trade Occupation
Your work duties must closely match Australian trade standards for the nominated occupation.
Step 2: Assess Qualification and Experience Eligibility
TRA reviews whether your qualification and employment history meet Australian trade competency requirements.
Step 3: Prepare Trade Employment Evidence
Applicants must submit:
- Detailed employment reference letters
- Proof of paid employment
- Trade certificates or apprenticeship documents
- Workplace evidence (tools, duties, job scope)
Step 4: Technical Assessment (If Required)
Some pathways require:
- Practical skill assessments
- Technical interviews
- Workplace simulations
Step 5: Lodge the TRA Application
Once documents are complete, the application is lodged online. Accuracy and consistency are essential.
Step 6: Receive TRA Outcome
TRA issues:
- A positive skills assessment, or
- A request for additional information, or
- A negative outcome if requirements are not met
A positive outcome can then be used for visa applications.
Common Reasons for TRA Skill Assessment Refusal
- Incorrect occupation selection
- Insufficient trade experience
- Weak or generic employment evidence
- Missing qualification or apprenticeship proof
- Failure to meet Australian trade standards
Professional preparation significantly reduces these risks.
How GIEC Global Supports TRA Applicants
GIEC Global provides end-to-end TRA assessment support, including:
- Occupation and pathway selection
- Eligibility assessment and strategy
- Trade reference letter guidance
- Document review and compliance checks
- Assistance with technical assessment preparation
- Alignment of TRA outcome with PR, 482, or 186 visa strategy
Our focus is to ensure your trade skills are presented clearly, accurately, and in line with Australian requirements.
Who Should Apply for a TRA Skill Assessment?
TRA assessments are suitable for:
- Licensed and unlicensed trade workers
- Apprenticeship-trained professionals
- Experienced tradespeople without formal Australian qualifications
- Offshore and onshore trade applicants
If your occupation is trade-based, TRA is usually your assessing authority.
Final Thoughts
The TRA Skill Assessment is a vital gateway for skilled trades professionals seeking to live and work in Australia. Whether your goal is Permanent Residency, a Subclass 482 work visa, or employer-sponsored PR under Subclass 186, a properly prepared TRA application is essential.
With expert guidance from GIEC Global Melbourne, Australia, trade professionals can proceed with confidence, knowing their assessment is accurate, compliant, and strategically aligned with Australian migration pathways.
📞 Contact GIEC Global today to assess your eligibility for the TRA Skill Assessment and take the next step toward Australian migration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The TRA Skill Assessment evaluates whether a tradesperson’s qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for skilled migration and employer-sponsored visas.
Trades professionals applying for Australian PR or employer-sponsored visas under trade occupations assessed by Trades Recognition Australia require a TRA Skill Assessment.
Yes. A positive TRA Skill Assessment is required for PR visas such as Subclass 189, 190, and 491 when the occupation is assessed by TRA.
Yes. TRA assessments are commonly required for Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas for trade occupations.
Documents typically include trade qualifications, apprenticeship records, employment reference letters, proof of paid work, and identity documents.
Processing times vary depending on the pathway and application completeness. Well-prepared applications reduce delays.
Yes. GIEC Global provides full support for TRA assessments, including occupation selection, document preparation, and visa strategy alignment.
