The Australian Government is planning to solve the recent housing shortage crisis in the country by inviting applicants in the construction industry. For this purpose they are going to speed up the skill assessment process in construction trades. Trade Recognition Authority (TRA) has consulted with construction industry representatives to accelerate the skills assessments process for certain occupations.

On May 8, 2024, the Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training, declared that skills assessments for construction industry-related occupations will be prioritized and streamlined.

This project is the major component of the 2024–25 Budget Program. This initiative will enable migrants to help meet the urgent need in the Australian housing construction industry.

TRA Initiatives To Prioritize Skills Assessment for the Construction Industry

In order to prioritize and streamline the skill assessments for construction industry occupations, TRA has taken following initiatives:

• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has decided to prioritize the processing of about 2,600 skills assessments in specific construction trades over the course of the next two years.
• Furthermore, TRA will accelerate skill evaluations for roughly 1,900 prospective immigrants from nations with comparable qualifications who want to work in Australia’s building and housing sectors.

Click here to find out the complete Construction Occupations List for Prioritisation and Streamlining.

• Starting on July 1, 2024, TRA began prioritizing skills assessments for construction industry occupations. The in-house assessment programs of TRA  that were assigned with this job of fast processing include:

• Provisional Skills Assessment 
• Job Ready Program
• Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) 

• Migrants do not need to apply for prioritization. TRA will automatically identify relevant applications based on the occupation selected during registration. 

Offshore Skill Assessment Program

The Trade Recognition Authority is going to remove the mandatory requirements for Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP).  Through this program, candidates will be able to apply for a simplified and less expensive Migration Skills Assessment (MSA). 

It will also facilitate those candidates who don’t have the required qualifications. They can also apply for the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP).

Occupations and Countries of Passport Eligible for a Streamlined Assessment

The jobs and passport combinations that qualify for the accelerated skill assessment are shown in the table below. Have a look

Keep in mind that you must have a license or registration to work in a construction-related job in certain Australian states and territories. Therefore it is advised to consult with the appropriate state or territory government department before submitting an application for a skills assessment to TRA.

Concluding Remarks

The Australian Government’s initiative to prioritize and streamline skills assessments for the construction industry is a significant step towards addressing the housing shortage crisis. By fast-tracking the assessment process, TRA aims to bring skilled migrants into the workforce more efficiently, ensuring that the construction sector can meet the urgent demand for housing.

If you’re a skilled worker looking to migrate to Australia and work in the construction industry, now is the perfect time to start your application. For personalized assistance and to ensure your application meets all requirements, contact us at The Migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a skill assessment test in Australia?

A skills assessment is a procedure that evaluates your education and professional background. It provides the evidence that you possess the abilities needed to carry out the duties of the position for which you are applying in Australia.

How do I get my skill assessment for Australia?

Follow these steps to get your skills assessment in Australia:

• Make sure that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Contact the appropriate assessing authority for your occupation. Trade Recognition is the assessing authority in Australia that evaluates your skills and qualifications.
• Provide all necessary documents, such as education and work experience.
• Follow the authority’s procedures to complete your skills assessment.

How many skills assessments will TRA prioritize over the next two years?

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has decided to prioritize the processing of about 2,600 skills assessments in specific construction trades over the course of the next two years.