Skilled migration for tradespeople: assessment is not licensing
Trade migration combines occupation eligibility, a program-specific skills assessment and, for many jobs, state or territory licensing. A positive assessment can support a visa pathway but does not automatically authorise unsupervised work in Australia.
Key points
- Confirm the exact occupation and assessing authority on the Home Affairs combined list.
- TRA operates multiple assessment programs; use its current program guidance for the occupation and circumstances.
- Assessment evidence can include formal training, employment, payment and technical or practical competence.
- Check occupational licensing separately in the state or territory where work is planned.
Identify the exact trade
Electrician, plumber, carpenter, motor mechanic, chef, metal fabricator and other trades have different codes, tasks and authorities. Compare the real work and apprenticeship or qualification with the ANZSCO description. Do not choose a broader code because it appears on more lists.
Choose the correct assessment program
TRA publishes multiple pathways, including its Migration Skills Assessment program and programs for particular occupations or circumstances. The correct route may depend on passport country, where the applicant lives, the occupation and the intended visa. Use the current TRA selector and guidelines; old lists of “OSAP countries” can become stale.
Build authentic trade evidence
- Trade certificate, apprenticeship records and training transcripts.
- Employer references with dates, hours, duties, tools and level of independence.
- Payslips, tax, pension, bank and social-insurance evidence.
- For self-employment: registration, invoices, contracts, accounts and customer evidence.
- Technical interview, practical assessment or workplace evidence when the program requires it.
Licensing and registration
Regulated trades can require a local licence, provisional authorisation, Australian-context training or supervised employment. Check the regulator in the intended state or territory before accepting work or advertising services. Migration assessment, recognition and licensing documents have different purposes.
Visa and nomination checks
- Filter the occupation by the exact 189, 190 or 491 stream.
- Complete the suitable trade assessment and check validity.
- Audit English, age and work points against evidence.
- Check live state categories, including job, residence or licensing conditions.
- For 491, test regional living and work feasibility for the whole family.
Avoid “trade shortage equals visa” claims
Employer demand and a regional list can support research but do not guarantee nomination, invitation or grant. Keep employment licensing, skills assessment and immigration decisions separate.
Official sources to check before acting
These pages control over any summary on this website. Recheck them when you submit an EOI, accept a nomination or lodge a visa application.
Important Notice: The content on this page is for general information only. Australian visa policies and requirements are subject to change at any time. Always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most current and accurate information.