Changes to assessment for some Trade Occupations
As applicants are scrambling to prepare the requirements for visa applications which need to be lodged before 1st September 2007, the day major General Skilled Migration reforms would take effect, another significant change has been announced. This change would affect tradespersons who need to have their skills assessed for migration purposes. Those who would be affected are tradespersons from the United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines. The change would affect 10 occupations, namely: Bricklayer, Cable Jointer, Carpenter, Joiner, Carpenter and Joiner, Electrical Powerline Tradesperson (Lineworker), General Electrician, General Plumber, Motor Mechanic and Refrigeration/Air-conditioning Mechanic.
At the moment, the assessing authority for ALL trades occupations is the Trades Recognition Authority (TRA). Effective 1st September 2007, above occupations would be assessed by the Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services (VETASSESS).
What will change?
Pre-September 1st – at the moment, tradespersons wishing to apply for skills assessment for migration purposes, complete a TRA application form. Applicants for assessment provide all the information on paper form and these are submitted to TRA. In some cases, it may be necessary for TRA to call the applicant’s workplace to verify the authenticity of the information provided. There is usually no trades assessment required.
After September 1st – applicants would need to complete a Self-Assessment questionnaire which is available from the VETASSESS website. This questionnaire would assist the applicant to decide if he/she has completed the required training, whether he/she has the required work experience and whether he/she has the skills to meet the Australian standards for his/her trade. The applicant would be required to supply documented evidence to support his/her claim. If the evidence is accepted by VETASSESS as meeting the Australian standards for his/her trade, then the applicant would be requested to demonstrate his skills in a practical skills assessment.
Pre-September 1st – at the moment, all applications are assessed by TRA.
After September 1st – applications for assessment for above occupations would be assessed by VETASSESS, who would be working in a consortium with a number of Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s). The RTO’s involved in the VETASSESS Consortium are: Victorian TAFE’s (Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE, Kangan Batman TAFE, Victoria University) and Western Australian TAFE’s (Great Southern TAFE), South West Regional College of TAFE and Swan TAFE).
Pre-September 1st – at the moment, the assessment fee is A$300 for all trade occupations.
After September 1st – the initial application fee is A$600. This fee should accompany the Application for trade skills assessment to be submitted to VETASSESS. If the applicant is invited to undertake the practical skills assessment, the applicant would be asked to an additional fee of A$1600.
Electronic Lodgement of Visa Applications – Effective 1st September 2007, applicants have the option to lodge general skilled visa applications electronically. It would still be possible to lodge paper-based applications, if applicants choose to do so.
Q & A
| Q: |
What information should I provide on the Application for trade skills assessment to be submitted to VETASSESS? |
| A: |
You should provide personal details about yourself, your general school education, all formal training you have attended about your trade (this includes apprenticeships, training programs you have attended, and other courses/qualifications you have obtained). You would need to provide evidence of completion of training. You should also provide evidence of occupational license or registration, if this applies to you. It is also a requirement for you to provide evidence of written employment certificates from each employer you have worked for. |
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| Q: |
Where would the practical skills assessments be conducted? |
| A: |
This information would be available after 1st September 2007. The VETASSESS website would be updated continuously after this date. |
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| Q: |
When would the practical skills assessments be conducted? |
| A: |
This information would be available after 1st September 2007. The VETASSESS website would be updated continuously after this date.
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| Q: |
I am 44 years old. How will this change affect my application? |
| A: |
You would need to ensure that you lodge your application with VETASSESS as soon as possible. You should ensure that you provide all the evidence required to support your claims related to education, training and your work experience. You should also call VETASSESS on 1st September 2007 to obtain the schedule for the practical skills assessments. You should discuss your situation with VETASSESS so that you can obtain the results of your assessment before you turn 45. |
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| Q: |
Is there a phone number I can call if I have any questions regarding above changes? |
| A: |
You may call (03) 9655 4801 from 1st September 2007. |
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| Q: |
Can I email my inquiries? |
| A: |
You may email your inquiries to tradeskills@vetassess.com.au |
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Migration regulations are current at the time of writing this article. DIAC has the right to change these regulations at any time. This article has been written to provide general information only. Readers should seek professional advice to discuss their particular situations.
Estelle McNally, is a Registered Migration Agent MARN 9903113,
McNally Migration Solutions, Suite 1, 2nd Floor,
3 Avondale Street, Springvale 3171
(03) 9547 9055, 0418 171 951, (03) 5997-7450; Fax: (03) 9547 9066;
website: www.mcnallymigrationaustralia.com; Email: mcnallymigration@bigpond.com |
