If you work in a trade and want an Australian skilled visa, you need a trades skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia, known as TRA. TRA is the government body that checks the skills of trade workers, such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, chefs and cooks. A positive TRA result confirms that your training and experience meet the Australian standard for your trade. You need it before you can be invited to apply for most skilled visas.

This guide explains which trades TRA assesses, the two main pathways, how the Job Ready Program works, and how long a result lasts in 2026. The most important thing to understand first is which pathway fits you, because the wrong one wastes time and money.

What is the TRA Job Ready Program?

The Job Ready Program is the TRA pathway for international graduates who hold an Australian trade qualification and are already in Australia. It checks your skills in a real workplace over time. It has four stages and usually runs for at least twelve months. You start it after you receive a Provisional Skills Assessment from TRA.

Which trades need a TRA skills assessment

TRA assesses over 150 trade occupations. The most common ones for migration sit in three groups.

Construction trades include electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and bricklayers. Hospitality trades include chefs and cooks. Automotive trades include motor mechanics, diesel mechanics, and panel beaters.

If your job is a licensed or hands-on trade, TRA is very likely your assessing authority. To confirm the authority for your exact occupation, start with our skills assessment guide.

Two pathways: onshore Job Ready Program or offshore assessment

TRA runs two main programs. The right one depends on where you are and where you trained. This is the single most important choice in the whole process.

The Job Ready Program (for trade graduates in Australia)

The Job Ready Program, or JRP, is for people who studied a trade in Australia and are in the country. You usually need an Australian qualification at Certificate III level or higher from a registered provider. Many people enter this pathway while holding a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which gives them the work rights to complete it.

The program has four stages:

  1. Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA), which checks your qualification and confirms you can start.
  2. Job Ready Employment (JRE), where you complete a minimum of twelve months of suitable full-time paid work in your trade.
  3. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA), where an assessor checks your skills on the job.
  4. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA), the final review that leads to your result.

No English test is required at the Provisional Skills Assessment stage. You can read more about the graduate visa that supports this pathway in our 485 Graduate visa guide.

The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (for applicants outside Australia)

The Offshore Skills Assessment Program, or OSAP, is for trade workers who are outside Australia and trained overseas. It is a different process. It reviews your documents and then tests your practical skills, often through a technical interview or a hands-on assessment. OSAP applies to specific occupations and countries, so you must check that your trade and country are covered before you apply.

The simple rule is this. If you trained in Australia and are here, the Job Ready Program is usually your path. If you trained overseas and are outside Australia, OSAP is usually your path.

Experience and qualification requirements

TRA wants evidence that you can do the trade, not just that you studied it. For most trades, you need a qualification that matches your nominated occupation and relevant paid work experience.

As a general guide, you need at least three years of full-time relevant work experience, with at least twelve months completed in the last three years. The exact requirement depends on your occupation and pathway, so check the rule for your trade before you apply. Strong evidence is essential. Keep payslips, references, contracts, and photos of your work where allowed.

How long it takes and how long it lasts

The Job Ready Program takes time because it includes a real work stage. From start to finish, it often runs twelve to eighteen months. OSAP is usually shorter, but it still involves a documentation review and a skills test. Treat all timeframes as approximate, because they change with demand.

A positive TRA result is valid for three years from the date of issue. Your assessment must be valid when you are invited to apply for your visa. Plan the assessment around your visa timeline so the result does not expire before your invitation arrives.

Trades and your pathway to permanent residency

A trades skills assessment opens several visa options. Many trade workers use the points-tested visas, such as the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), which gives extra points for living and working in a regional area. Others move through employer sponsorship, using the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and then the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) for permanent residency.

Construction trades have been a priority area in 2026 to support housing and infrastructure. That focus can help trade applicants, though rules and lists still change, so check your occupation at the time you apply. Our regional migration pathways guide explains the regional points, and our Australian skilled visas guide compares the pathways side by side.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few errors cause most delays for trade applicants. Choosing the wrong program is the first, for example trying to use the offshore program while living in Australia. Nominating the wrong occupation is the second, because your trade must match your real duties and your qualification. Weak work evidence is the third, since TRA needs clear proof of paid, relevant experience. Starting the Job Ready Program without the right visa or work rights is the fourth. Letting the result expire is the fifth, because the three-year window can pass before your invitation.

Frequently asked questions

Which trades need a TRA skills assessment? TRA assesses over 150 trades, including electricians, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, chefs, cooks, and motor mechanics. If your occupation is a licensed or hands-on trade, TRA is very likely your assessing authority. Check your exact occupation on the skilled occupation list to confirm.

What are the four stages of the Job Ready Program? The Job Ready Program has four stages: the Provisional Skills Assessment, Job Ready Employment of at least twelve months of suitable full-time work, the Job Ready Workplace Assessment, and the Job Ready Final Assessment. You complete them in order, starting with the Provisional Skills Assessment.

How long does the Job Ready Program take? The Job Ready Program often takes twelve to eighteen months because it includes a real work stage of at least twelve months. The exact time depends on your employment and how quickly each stage is completed. Treat the timeframe as approximate.

Can I do a skills assessment for a trade from outside Australia? Yes. Trade workers outside Australia use the Offshore Skills Assessment Program. It reviews your documents and tests your practical skills, and it applies to specific occupations and countries. Check that your trade and country are covered before you apply.

How long is a TRA assessment valid? A positive TRA skills assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue. It must be valid when you are invited to apply for your visa, so plan the timing carefully.

Next steps

A trades skills assessment is the foundation of most skilled visa plans for trade workers. Pick the right program for your situation, gather strong evidence of your qualification and experience, and plan around the three-year validity. The biggest delays come from choosing the wrong pathway at the start.

If you are not sure whether the Job Ready Program or the offshore program fits you, speak to a Registered Migration Agent before you apply. Manisha Bhutani (Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2217756) reviews your trade, your qualification, and your work history against the current rules and helps you choose the right pathway. Book a consultation with Desire PTE & Migration to plan your trades skills assessment with confidence.