TRA Skills Assessment: Guide for Skilled Workers Migrating to Australia

What is TRA Skills Assessment?

The TRA Skills Assessment is your skills passport to Australia. It’s run by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), the official authority that checks if your trade skills and qualifications match Oz standards.

Whether you’re a mechanic, electrician, chef, or any other skilled tradesperson dreaming of an Aussie life, this Australian Skill Assessment is your first big step.

Now, depending on your situation, TRA offers a few different pathways like:

Which one applies to you? Well, that depends on things like where you’re currently living, how much experience you have, and what qualifications you hold.

And yep, if you’re aiming for skilled migration under visa subclasses like 189, 190, or 491, a positive TRA assessment isn’t just helpful, it’s mandatory.

Still scratching your head? Don’t stress, we’ll walk you through it!

Who needs a TRA Skills Assessment?

If you’re a skilled worker aiming to migrate to Australia and your job is in the trades, the TRA Skills Assessment is for you. Here’s a quick look at who needs to complete a TRA Skills Assessment:

Skilled tradespeople like:

International students in Australia who’ve completed a trade qualification from a local training provider (RTO).

Overseas-qualified professionals who want to get their trade skills officially recognised for migration.

Visa applicants applying for:

It is important to ensure that your work experience is closely aligned with the nominated trade occupation to avoid rejections or delays.

Types of TRA Skills Assessment Programs (TRA Pathways)

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) offers multiple skills assessment programs tailored to different visa types, applicant backgrounds, and qualifications. Whether you’re an international student, a skilled worker offshore, or applying for temporary or permanent migration to Australia, there’s a specific TRA pathway designed to assess your trade skills against Australian standards.

Explore the table below to find the right assessment program for your situation:

TRA Occupation List

The TRA Occupation List is an Australian Skilled Occupation List refers to the list of trade and technical occupations eligible for skills assessment by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) — one of the Australian government’s authorized assessing authorities for skilled migration.

TRA Occupation List (as of 2024–2025)

Here are some of the most commonly assessed occupations by TRA (aligned with ANZSCO codes):

Construction & Building Trades

Automotive Trades

Electrical & Electronics

Metal & Engineering Trades

Hair & Beauty

Hospitality Trades

The full list is available on Australian Government TRA Website.

TRA Assessment Checklist

Before applying for a TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) skills assessment, it’s important to prepare and organise all required documents. This checklist will help you understand what you need to submit and ensure your application is complete, accurate, and ready for processing. Whether you’re applying through MSA, OSAP, or another pathway, use this step-by-step guide to stay on track.

1. Choose the Correct TRA Pathway

Identify which assessment pathway applies to you –

2. Confirm your Occupation and ANZSCO Code

Check if your trade is listed on the TRA Occupation List and note your ANZSCO code (e.g., 334111 for Plumber).

3. Passport Copy (certified)

Submit a certified copy of your passport bio page to prove your identity.

4. Educational Certificates and Transcripts

Provide copies of your trade qualifications and academic records.

5. Course Syllabus or Content (if required):

Include details of your course subjects/modules to help verify your training.

6. Work Experience Documents

Submit proof of work, including:

7. English Language Test Results (if required)

If your visa or pathway requires, include results from IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.

8. Application Form Filled Online

Complete and submit the official TRA application on their portal.

9. Payment Receipt

Pay the applicable assessment fee and include a receipt for confirmation.

TRA Skill Assessment Processing Time

Before applying for migration to Australia as a skilled tradesperson, it’s important to understand the expected processing times for your TRA skills assessment. The timeframes vary based on the pathway you choose and how complete your application is. Here’s a quick breakdown of the TRA Skills Assessment processing time:

1. Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)

The official processing time for MSA is up to 120 days (around 4 months). However, due to a high number of applications, it can often take 6 to 9 months in real cases. Submitting a complete and well-documented application can help avoid further delays.

2. Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP)

For OSAP, the processing time is typically around 15 weeks after all required documents are submitted to the RTO (Registered Training Organisation). Timelines may vary slightly depending on the trade and the efficiency of the RTO chosen.

3. Job Ready Program (JRP)

TRA takes up to 45 days to register your JRP application. The overall process, including workplace assessments, may take 6 months or more. After the final assessment, it usually takes 11 weeks to receive the outcome.

4. Priority Processing

Priority or fast-track processing is not available for trade occupations under TRA pathways like MSA or OSAP. It is usually limited to general or professional skilled occupations only.

Important Tip

Always submit a complete, decision-ready application with all required documents to avoid back-and-forth communication. Allow extra time in your migration plan—3 to 9 months, depending on the pathway.