If you’re qualified in a trade in your country—for example, as an electrician, plumber, chef, or welder—you may be looking to take your skills over to Australia. Certain skills are in big demand, so it could be the perfect fit. But how do you carry your trade qualification over?
At Remitly, our goal is to help immigrants find their feet in their new home. For us, this means finding the right job, bank, and ensuring you have the info for anything else you might need. In this guide, we’re looking at getting your trade skills recognised, which trades are in demand, visa considerations, and more.
Using your skills for a certified trade job in Australia
Australia has strict rules about qualifications and licensing—especially in trades—so that they can be sure people’s skills match their standards.
Nevertheless, it’s completely possible to transfer your skills as a tradesperson and find work there—you just need to follow the right steps.
Check if your skills are in demand
First off, find out if Australia needs the skills you have. Due to economic growth and workforce challenges in certain industries, there are skill shortages in certain occupations. These currently include:
- Electricians
- Carpenters and joiners
- Plumbers
- Aircon/refrigeration technicians
- Quantity surveyors
- Automotive mechanics
- Renewable energy technicians
- Energy efficiency specialists
To address this, the Australian government released a Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for 2025. It lists 456 in-demand occupations, many of them certified trade jobs. You can also check their Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Get a skills assessment
As mentioned, Australia needs proof that your skills meet their national standards. You’ll need a formal skills assessment through an Australian assessing authority. For most trades, this is done through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
Most tradespeople from outside Australia go through what’s called the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) or the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)—the one that you need will depend on your trade and country of origin. If you have no formal qualifications, you’ll need to go through another route called RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).
Find an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Before starting your application, you’ll need to find a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation to carry out your assessment. You’ll need the right RTO for your specific trade, and can apply directly to them. They’ll help you through the whole process.
Provide paperwork
For the OSAP, you’ll need to show your qualifications and provide proof of your work experience, your CV, and identity documents.
Do a technical interview
If all of your documents are accepted, you’ll then go through a technical interview, where you talk to an assessor via a video call or in person. They’ll ask you questions about your trade to check that you understand your job.
For example, an electrician might be asked how to wire up a switchboard, or a carpenter might be asked how to frame a wall or install doors.
Do a practical assessment (if required)
Depending on your trade, you may also need to do a practical test where you physically show your skill by doing a task that’s required in your trade.
This could be building something if you’re a carpenter, doing some wiring if you’re an electrician, or showing mechanical work if you’re an auto mechanic.
This is usually done at an assessment centre in your country, but sometimes, you might need to travel to Australia to be assessed.
Get your outcome
If you pass your technical and/or practical assessment, you receive an assessment outcome report that proves you’re qualified at the Australian standard. You’ll need this for your visa applications and for applying for licenses to work in Australia.
Get licensed for certified trade jobs in Australia (if required)
Some trades require a trade license—for electrical, plumbing, and building work, this is almost always the case. Licenses are issued state by state, so you’ll need to apply for a license in the state you’re moving to. In New South Wales, for instance, you’ll apply via NSW Fair Trading. In Victoria, builders and plumbers apply to the Victoria Building Authority (VBA), and electrical workers to Energy Safe Victoria (ESV).
Importantly, you may need to do extra training units, local codes courses, or gap training, depending on your state’s needs. Applying for a license involves paying a fee, which varies by trade and state. Your license will only be valid for a set period of time—typically between one and five years—and you’ll need to apply for renewal each time your license is due to expire.
You may also be required to demonstrate continued competence in your trade when you apply for renewal.
Job hunt for certified trade jobs in Australia
Once you’ve passed a skills assessment and been licensed (if required), you can start job hunting on job boards or through agencies to get a certified trade job in Australia.
Note that it’s not required to find work before applying for a visa, but in some cases it can make it easier to get a visa.
Apply for a visa
Once you’ve passed a skills assessment and obtained a license (if needed), you can apply for an Australian visa. For a certified trade job in Australia, your visa options include:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) if you haven’t secured work yet but are qualified, have passed the required skills assessment, and are licensed to operate in your trade.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) if you’ve been nominated by an Australian state or territory because your skills are in demand there. You don’t need a job offer.
- Employer-Sponsored Visa (subclass 482 or 186) if an Australian employer has offered you a job and sponsors you because they can’t find a local worker.
Visas are awarded on a points basis, with your age, English language ability, work experience, qualifications, and state/territory sponsorship taken into account.
Arrive and register
Once you arrive in Australia and have settled in, there are some important additional steps to take. These include:
Getting a White Card if you’re in construction
This is a nationally recognised certificate that shows you’ve completed construction safety training.
Joining a trade union (optional)
Joining a trade union isn’t mandatory in Australia, but it’s common, as there are certain benefits.
Making sure you have insurance (if you’re contracting)
If you’re a contractor or sole trader, you’re responsible for your own work, and any clients, builders, and developers won’t hire you unless you show you have public liability insurance. It protects you financially if your work accidentally injures someone (who’s not an employee) or damages someone’s property. If you’re employed by someone, you won’t need this insurance as you’ll generally be covered by the company’s insurance.
Getting a certified trade job in Australia can be a lengthy process, and there are many procedures you’ll need to go through to prove that your skills are up to standard. However, once you have everything sorted, there are plenty of work opportunities for you to take advantage of.
FAQs
How do I get a trade certificate in Australia?
You need to go through a skills assessment process. TRA is the main body that assesses trade qualifications from overseas, and depending on your visa pathway, you’ll go through different TRA programs.
How much is it to get your trade recognised in Australia?
The costs depend on the assessment program you apply for. A skills assessment can cost around $1,280–$4,000 AUD, depending on your trade and pathway, but always check the TRA site for price updates.
You then need to pay licensing or registration fees, which can vary by state. In New South Wales (NSW), for instance, the application fee for a trade or specialist contractor license is currently $312 AUD for a one-year license.
How do you qualify for the JRP?
The Job Ready Program (JRP) is not for offshore applicants looking to get a certified trade job. It’s for international students who have completed a trade qualification in Australia and want to apply for permanent residency. You can read about how to qualify for a JRP here.
What skilled trades are in demand in Australia?
In-demand jobs include those within construction and building, engineering, automotive trades, hospitality, and more.