Every year hundreds of thousands of foreign workers choose to live and work in Australia because of the lifestyle and employment opportunities offered.
The general skilled migration (GSM) visa is focused on a point-based system which is designed to attract highly qualified and experienced professionals to best meet Australia’s skills needs.
One of the key elements before one can apply in the GSM program is the skills assessment in the nominated occupation by a relevant assessing authority.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the assessing authority to obtain skills assessment in their nominated fields.
to obtain a complete list of against each occupation on the lists.
Ranbir Singh and Rohit Mohan of Lakshya Migration told SBS Punjabi with the recent ‘visa changes’ the focus has now shifted from the Employer Sponsored [ESM] visas to General Skilled Migration [GSM].
“Some of skilled migrants and international students are struggling to qualify for ESM visas, and hence now they’re more inclined towards GSM visa subclasses 489, 189 and 190,” he says.
Ranbir Singh suggests there is a ‘general trend’ where state nomination lists are becoming ‘very generous’ towards trade occupations.
Skilled migration Australia Source: qantara.com.au
“The prospective applicants especially that from the Indian community have recently been attracted towards trade occupations particularly that of Commercial Cookery, Automotive and Painting and Decoration,” he said.
He advised that the applicants should carefully check their conditions and relevant experience before applying for a skills assessment.
“It’s imperative that you provide ample documentation to substantiate your qualifications and relevant work experience,” he adds.
The two most common assessing authorities for the trade-related occupations are and (TRA).
Both these service providers offer assessment programs for people with skills gained overseas or in Australia.
The assessment is often based on your occupation, studies, country of passport and the type of visa you are seeking.
Ranbir explained the two most common pathways to obtain skills assessment in trade-related occupations.
Pathway 1 where assessing authority is TRA: An applicant, who has a qualification with Certificate III or beyond, will need to have 360 hours of work experience in a relevant field to be eligible for the Job Ready Employment. Additionally, one year of Job Ready Employment with 1725 hours of work experience and assessment makes you eligible for a full skills assessment program.
Pathway 2 where assessing body is VETASSESS: Three years of post-qualification full-time work experience in a relevant field and a practical assessment makes you eligible for a full skills assessment.
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Ranbir suggests that regardless of the pathways, the applicants should focus on the qualifications, relevant experience and documentation to substantiate their claims.
“An immaculate resume with the qualification summarised in a professional manner always helps. People who think it’s just a formality and those who usually provide a half-hearted resume may face delays in the assessments,” he says.
“The award certificates, academic transcripts and completion letters can be provided to support the academic qualifications.
The results for the English language test IELTS and PTE are not required for skills assessments.
Ranbir says the best way is to lodge the skills assessment, which usually takes up to 90 days, and then prepare for the English test in the meantime.
“For work-related experience, a focus should be on payslips, PAYG summaries, employer reference letters, group certificate, notice of assessments, salary credits in the bank accounts,” he adds.
