What is Trades Recognition Australia?
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is a division of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). It is the Australian Government's nominated assessing authority for trade and technical occupations under the skilled migration program.
TRA assesses whether an applicant's overseas trade qualifications and work experience are comparable to the equivalent Australian qualification — typically a Certificate III or IV in the relevant trade. This comparison is necessary because trade training standards vary significantly between countries, and Australian visa pathways require evidence that overseas-trained tradespeople meet local competency benchmarks.
TRA assessments are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for all skilled migration visa subclasses that list TRA-assessed occupations. TRA does not issue licences or registrations — those are managed by individual state and territory licensing authorities after arrival.
Which visas require a TRA skills assessment?
A TRA positive skills assessment is required for trade occupations across the main skilled migration pathways:
For points-tested visas (SC189, SC190, SC491), your TRA assessment must be positive before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. For employer-sponsored visas (SC482, SC186), your employer lodges the nomination, but a positive skills assessment is still a requirement for most trade occupations before the visa can be granted.
How TRA assessment works
The TRA assessment process follows six steps from initial eligibility check through to receiving your outcome:
- Verify your occupation — Confirm your ANZSCO code and that TRA is the nominated assessing authority. TRA covers 90+ trade and technical occupations.
- Choose a pathway — Select Overseas Qualifications, Australian Apprenticeship, or RPL based on your qualifications and experience.
- Gather your documents — Collect identity documents, trade certificates, employment references (minimum 3 years), payslips, and any trade licences.
- Lodge online — Apply through online.tra.gov.au. Pay the fee at time of lodgement. Ensure all documents are certified and translated if not in English.
- Await assessment — TRA reviews your documents. Additional evidence or a trade test may be requested. Standard processing is 12–16 weeks from the date TRA confirms your application is complete.
- Receive outcome — You will receive a Positive, Negative, or Further Assessment Required result in writing.
Assessment pathways
TRA offers three assessment pathways. The right pathway depends on whether you have formal trade qualifications, completed an Australian apprenticeship, or have extensive work experience without formal qualifications:
For applicants with trade qualifications completed outside Australia. TRA assesses whether your overseas certificate and experience are comparable to the Australian trade qualification standard.
For those who completed an Australian apprenticeship and require a formal skills assessment for visa purposes. Requires a Certificate III or above in the relevant trade.
For experienced tradespeople without formal qualifications. Assessment is evidence-based — your work history and competencies are assessed against Australian trade standards. Generally takes longer and costs more than other pathways.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copy of passport or national identity document
- Trade qualification certificate(s) and academic transcripts — translated into English if issued in another language
- Employment references from each employer — minimum 3 years relevant post-qualification experience, signed on employer letterhead, dated within the last 6 months
- Payslips, bank statements, or statutory declarations corroborating employment references
- Any current trade licences or registrations (state/territory)
- English language test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or CAE) if applicable to your pathway
- Statutory declaration confirming the accuracy of all documents provided
All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations from a NAATI-accredited translator. Employment references must be detailed — vague references citing only job titles and dates are commonly rejected. TRA expects references to describe specific duties, tools used, and competency in the relevant trade tasks.
TRA assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Overseas qualifications assessment | AUD 500 |
| Australian apprenticeship assessment | AUD 500 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | AUD 1,000 |
| Priority processing (additional, optional) | AUD 500 |
| Review of assessment decision | AUD 250 |
Assessment outcomes
TRA issues one of three outcomes:
Your assessment is comparable to the Australian trade standard. You will receive a Positive Skills Assessment letter, valid for 3 years, which can be used to submit an EOI or support a visa application.
Your qualifications or experience do not meet the Australian standard. You can apply for a formal review (AUD 250). If unsuccessful, options include additional training, further work experience, or alternative visa pathways.
A third outcome — Further Assessment Required — may be issued where TRA needs additional documents or a trade test before reaching a final decision. Respond promptly to any TRA requests to avoid delays.
Occupations assessed by TRA
TRA is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.