Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and welders are in demand across Australia. Find the visa that fits your situation. A Registered Migration Agent handles the paperwork.
Registered Migration Agents
Upfront, flat-fee consultations
Offices in Truganina and Melbourne CBD
In person, by phone or by video
This is the most common way tradies come to Australia to work. Your employer sponsors you, then nominates your position.
Best for: tradies with a job offer from an approved sponsor.
You need: a sponsoring employer, a role that meets the salary rules, usually at least one year of relevant experience, the required English level, and health and character checks. Some trades also need a skills assessment.
Good to know: the salary must meet the Core Skills income threshold and the market rate for the role. Thresholds change each 1 July, so we check the current figure. After two years with the same employer, you may be able to move to the 186.
A permanent visa, nominated by your employer. There are two main streams.
Direct Entry: you have a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant work experience. You are usually under 45.
Temporary Residence Transition: you have worked for your sponsor on a 482 for at least two years. A new skills assessment is often not needed.
%20(1).jpg)
A provisional visa for tradies sponsored by an employer in a regional area. Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane counts as regional. After you meet the requirements, you can apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional visa (191).
SkillSelect and wait for an invitation.
1. Skilled Independent (189): no sponsor and no state nomination. You can live and work anywhere in Australia.
2. Skilled Nominated (190): a state or territory nominates you. It adds 5 points. The state usually expects you to live and work there.
3. Skilled Work Regional (491): you live and work in a regional area. It adds 15 points and leads to PR through the 191.
You need at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation. More points improve your chances, but no score guarantees one. Check your score with our points calculator guide. You also need a positive skills assessment for your trade and competent English.
.webp)
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses electricians, plumbers, carpenters and welders. It checks your qualifications and work history against Australian standards.
TRA runs more than one program. The right one depends on your visa, your trade and where you are. We confirm the program before you pay any fee. Read our skills assessment guide for the full process.
Evidence carries the result. Reference letters should describe your real daily tasks, not just your job title. Payslips and tax records should match the dates you claim.
Visa rules and licence rules are separate. Each state runs its own licensing.
In Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria licenses electricians. The Building and Plumbing Commission regulates plumbers. After a successful TRA assessment, electricians and plumbers usually receive a provisional or supervised licence first. A full licence follows Australian gap training and supervised work.
Carpenters and welders generally do not need a personal trade licence to work for an employer. You will need a White Card for construction sites. Some welding jobs ask for specific certificates.
Licensing affects when you can start work, so we plan it alongside your visa.
The rules for trades are moving quickly. Here is where things stand on 21 September 2026.
In force: since 25 July 2026, Ministerial Direction 119 sets the order in which Home Affairs processes skilled visa applications. Construction applicants who apply from inside Australia sit in the third priority group. Construction applicants who apply from overseas sit in the last group.
Announced, not yet law: on 17 September 2026 the government said housing trades will get the same qualification points as a university degree in the points test. It also said construction will be added to the priority processing list in full. No start date has been set, and the list of housing trades is not final.
1. Consultation. A Registered Migration Agent reviews your trade, experience, age, English and family.
2. Pathway plan. We choose the visa and the order of steps, including the skills assessment and any licence.
3. Evidence check. We tell you which documents to gather and review them before you submit.
4. Lodgement. We prepare and lodge your EOI, nomination or visa application.
5. Follow-through. We answer Home Affairs requests and keep you updated until a decision.
We cannot promise a visa outcome. We will give you honest advice on your chances before you spend money on government fees.
.webp)
Hiring skilled tradies from overseas, or keeping the ones you have? We manage the employer side.
1. Standard business sponsor approval
2. Nominations for the 482 and 186
3. Labour market testing and salary checks
4. Ongoing sponsor obligations
We confirm the occupation, salary and evidence before you lodge, so avoidable errors do not delay your nomination.
Electricians
Plumbers
Carpenters
Welders
Tilers
Painters
Solid plasterers
Glaziers
Stonemasons
Cabinetmakers
Roof plumbers
Motor mechanics
Chefs
Tell us your trade, where you are and what you want to achieve. We will confirm your best visa and your next step. Visit our Truganina office or Melbourne CBD office, or meet by phone or video. Need advice fast? An urgent consultation is $220.