TRA Skill Assessment for Australian migration

Get your skills officially recognised for an Australian visa.

If you're a chef, baker, cook, carpenter, electrician or skilled tradesperson, a TRA Skill Assessment is the document that opens the door to a 482 visa, permanent residency and a real career in Australia.

280+
Successful assessments
95%
First-time approval rate
12+
Trade occupations covered
73+
Australian sponsor employers
Why It Matters

No assessment, no visa.

For most skilled trade visas (482, 186, 494, 491), the Australian Department of Home Affairs requires a positive skill assessment from the relevant authority before they'll even consider your application. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing authority for chefs, bakers, cooks and the major construction trades.

A poorly prepared assessment costs you time, money and sometimes your shot at the visa entirely. We've spent four years working with TRA-aligned assessors and migration specialists to get applications right the first time.

What a positive assessment unlocks

  • Eligibility for 482 TSS, 186 ENS and 494 regional visas
  • Skilled migration points (15 points for occupations on MLTSSL)
  • Recognition by Australian employers as a qualified tradesperson
  • Faster processing through priority occupation streams
  • A clear pathway from offshore worker to permanent resident
Trades We Cover

TRA-assessed occupations.

Every occupation listed here is one we've successfully assessed candidates for. If yours isn't here, ask, we may still be able to help.

Chef

ANZSCO 351311

Cert IV Commercial Cookery, 3+ years post-qualification experience.

Cook

ANZSCO 351411

Cert III Commercial Cookery, 2+ years experience post-qualification.

Baker

ANZSCO 351111

Cert III in Bakery, 3+ years working in commercial bakery roles.

Pastrycook

ANZSCO 351112

Cert III in Patisserie, 3+ years pastry kitchen experience.

Carpenter

ANZSCO 331212

Cert III Carpentry, residential or commercial framing experience.

Electrician

ANZSCO 341111

Cert III Electrotechnology, A-Grade or equivalent licence required.

Plumber

ANZSCO 334111

Cert III Plumbing, gas/water/drainage licence requirements vary by state.

Painter

ANZSCO 332211

Cert III Painting and Decorating, commercial or residential experience.

Other Trades

Tilers, glaziers, cabinetmakers

Get in touch if your occupation isn't listed, we cover most TRA trades.

Assessment Pathways

Two routes, depending on your situation.

TRA offers different pathways based on whether you're applying from offshore or already in Australia. We'll match you to the right one and guide you through.

PATHWAY 1

Offshore Skills Assessment (OSA)

For applicants outside Australia or in Australia on a non-eligible visa. The assessor reviews your qualifications and work history, then conducts a technical interview.

Typical timeline: 8 to 12 weeks
PATHWAY 2

Job Ready Program (JRP)

For graduates of Australian trade qualifications. Four-stage program including provisional skills, employment registration, workplace assessment and final assessment.

Typical timeline: 12 months minimum (1,725 paid hours required)
Real Outcomes

From assessment to Australian visa.

Skilled tradies who got their TRA assessment through us and went on to work and settle in Australia.

★★★★★
I'd been cooking for nine years in Manila but kept getting visa applications knocked back. Jobs Recruiter walked me through the whole TRA process in plain English. Got my positive assessment, then a 482 visa for a Sydney restaurant within five months.
MR
Marco R.
Chef · Philippines → Sydney
★★★★★
The TRA paperwork is no joke. They told me exactly what evidence I needed and helped me prepare for the technical interview. Passed first time and now I'm working as a baker in Brisbane on a 482, with PR pathway in two years.
PK
Priya K.
Baker · India → Brisbane
★★★★★
I'd been a carpenter in Vietnam for eleven years but had no formal Cert III. They guided me through TRA's RPL pathway, sorted out the evidence, then matched me with a builder in Adelaide who sponsored my visa.
DT
Duc T.
Carpenter · Vietnam → Adelaide
How It Works

From enquiry to positive assessment.

A clear path with us coordinating between you, your employer (if applicable) and the TRA-aligned assessor.

1

Eligibility chat

You submit the form. Within 1 business day, our specialist calls you to confirm your trade, qualifications and the right pathway.

2

Document prep

We send you a tailored evidence checklist. CV, references, qualifications, payslips, photos and videos of your work.

3

Assessment

Application lodged with TRA. Documentary review followed by a technical interview (video, around 60 to 90 minutes).

4

Outcome

Positive assessment letter issued, valid for 3 years. Use it for visa nomination, points test or skilled migration.

Free Eligibility Check

Tell us about yourself.

No fees, no commitment. Our specialist will review your details and call within 1 business day.

Get your free assessment review

Six quick fields. We handle the rest.

Your details are private and never shared. We respond within 1 business day.
Common Questions

Skill assessment, answered.

How much does a TRA skill assessment cost?
TRA charges its own application fees, currently around $1,150 for the OSA pathway and around $3,500 for the Job Ready Program. We charge a separate professional fee for our service, which covers eligibility review, document preparation, interview coaching and case management. We'll quote you an exact fee before you commit.
How long does it take to get a positive assessment?
For the Offshore Skills Assessment pathway, expect 8 to 12 weeks from lodgement to outcome. The Job Ready Program is longer, a minimum of 12 months due to the 1,725 paid hours requirement. We'll give you a realistic timeline based on your situation during the eligibility chat.
What if I don't have a formal qualification?
You may still qualify through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you have years of demonstrable trade experience, we can help you complete RPL to obtain a Certificate III or IV first, then proceed to skill assessment. Take our RPL eligibility quiz to find out.
Can I do the skill assessment from my home country?
Yes. The Offshore Skills Assessment pathway is designed for applicants outside Australia. Your documents are submitted electronically and the technical interview is conducted by video. You only need to be in Australia later if your visa pathway requires it.
Do I need IELTS or another English test?
TRA itself does not require an English test for skill assessment. However, the Department of Home Affairs requires English evidence at the visa stage (typically IELTS 5.0 average for 482, higher for PR). We'll guide you on which English test to take and the score you need.
How long is a positive TRA assessment valid?
A positive TRA skill assessment is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. You must lodge your visa application within that period. If it expires, you can apply for a re-assessment with updated evidence.
What happens if my assessment is unsuccessful?
Unsuccessful outcomes are rare when applications are properly prepared, our first-time approval rate is 95%. If gaps are identified, the assessor explains exactly what's missing. Options include providing additional evidence, completing gap training, or in some cases re-applying after more experience.
Will Jobs Recruiter charge me upfront?
The eligibility chat is always free. Our professional fee is paid in stages, not upfront, and we never start chargeable work without your written agreement. TRA's own fees are paid directly to TRA when applications are lodged.

Get your skills officially recognised.

Free eligibility check. Honest answer about your chances. Clear plan to your visa.