53. optional skills assessment service applicant guidelines v2.0

Department of Education and Training

Optional Skills Assessment Service Applicant Guidelines


March 2015



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Document particulars

TRIM ID ED11/011108 File Optional Skills Assessment Service Applicant Guidelines.doc

Content last updated March 2015 Document status

FINAL

Due for review September 2015

Point of contact Trades Recognition Australia

Approval authority Branch Manager, Trades Recognition Australia

Date of first approval November 2013

Note: This is a controlled document in its electronic form only. Paper copies of this document are not controlled and should be checked against the electronic version before use.

With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where otherwise noted all material presented in this document is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/) licence.

The details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website (accessible using the links provided) as is the full legal code for the CC BY 3.0 AU licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode).

The document must be attributed as the Optional Skills Assessment Service Applicant Guidelines.

Document change history

Version Date Authors Summary of change Authorised by

1.0 15 November 2013

TRA New document Dr Melissa McEwen, General Manager TRA

1.1 4 April 2014 TRA Addition of Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka for Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics assessments. Replace TRA and RTO Finder website links with new website links.

Dr Melissa McEwen, General Manager TRA



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Version Date Authors Summary of change Authorised by

1.2 23 June 2014 TRA Update privacy notice (section 1.10).

Dr Melissa McEwen, General Manager, TRA

1.3 January 2015 TRA Updated Department information

Dr Melissa McEwen, General Manager, TRA

2.0 March 2015 TRA Updated Department contact information

Dr Melissa McEwen, Branch Manager, TRA



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Table of Contents

Section 1 Overview of the Optional Skills Assessment Service ................... 5

1.1 Purpose of the Optional Skills Assessment Service Applicant Guidelines 5

1.2 Optional Skills Assessment Service Summary .......................................... 5

1.3 Service objective ........................................................................................ 6

1.4 Relevant legislation .................................................................................... 6

1.5 Service delivery .......................................................................................... 6

1.6 Fees ........................................................................................................... 7

1.7 TRA roles and responsibilities ................................................................... 7

1.8 TRA-approved RTO roles and responsibilities ........................................... 7

1.9 Applicant roles and responsibilities ............................................................ 8

1.10 Privacy ....................................................................................................... 8

1.11 False or misleading Information ............................................................... 10

1.12 Certification of Documentation ................................................................. 11

1.13 Employment Statements .......................................................................... 12

Section 2 Optional Skills Assessment Service process .............................. 13

2.1 Purpose of the Optional Skills Assessment Service ................................ 13

2.2 Eligibility for the Optional Skills Assessment Service .............................. 13

2.3 Optional Skills Assessment Service process ........................................... 14

2.4 Optional Skills Assessment Service Outcome ......................................... 15

2.5 Optional Skills Assessment Service reviews ........................................... 16

2.6 Optional Skills Assessment Service timeline ........................................... 16

Section 3 Gaining an occupational licence in Australia .............................. 17

3.1 Process for gaining an occupational licence ............................................ 17

Section 4 Contact details ................................................................................ 19

4.1 Locate a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) .................................. 19

4.2 Locate a Licensing Regulator .................................................................. 19

4.3 Contact an Industry Skills Council ........................................................... 19

4.4 General Enquiries about the Optional Skills Assessment Service ........... 19

Section 5 Glossary ........................................................................................... 21

Section 6 Acronyms ........................................................................................ 23



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Section 1 Overview of the Optional Skills Assessment Service

Terms explained in the Glossary are bolded when they first appear in this document.

1.1 Purpose of the Optional Skills Assessment

Service Applicant Guidelines

These guidelines describe the Optional Skills Assessment Service (Optional

Service) and define the requirements for applicants seeking a skills assessment

for the purposes of gaining an occupational licence in Australia.

The Optional Service is managed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). TRA, a

business unit of the Australian Department of Education and Training is the

relevant assessing authority for nominated occupations under the Migration

Regulations 1994.

It is essential that prospective applicants understand the eligibility requirements for

the Optional Service before starting an application (see section 2.2).

While a successful skills assessment under the Optional Service can be used for

migration purposes, it is not necessarily linked to any migration requirement. These

guidelines do not provide specific information on visa or points requirements for

migration. All enquiries regarding migration must be directed to the Australian

Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) (www.immi.gov.au).

TRA reserves the right to amend these guidelines as needed. Information about

changes to the guidelines will be documented in the document change history table

on page 2.

1.2 Optional Skills Assessment Service Summary

The Optional Service is a skills assessment pathway for applicants trained in trades

overseas who are not required to have a skills assessment, as part of a migration

requirement, by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).

Applicants are generally seeking a skills assessment for the purpose of gaining an

occupational licence in a nominated airconditioning and refrigeration, electrical, or

plumbing occupation in Australia.

Successful skills assessments under the Optional Service may also be subsequently

used for migration purposes where required.

Applicants applying for an assessment under this service must be assessed by a

TRA- approved registered training organisation (TRA-approved RTO). Applicants



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are required to choose an RTO from the RTO Finder website

(http://tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/Programs/Pages/RTO-Finder.aspx).

The Optional Service is currently available for the following nominated occupations

in Australia and the following countries:

Nominated Occupation Countries

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic [342111]:

Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom

Electrical Linesworker [342211] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America

Electrician (General) [341111] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America

Electrician (Special Class) [341112] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America

Plumber (General) [334111] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America

Technical Cable Jointer [342212] Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America

1.3 Service objective

The objective of the Optional Service is to determine whether an applicant is able to

work in Australia at the required skill level in the nominated occupation for

occupational licensing purposes. It aims to ensure successful applicants can

contribute immediately to Australia’s skilled workforce.

1.4 Relevant legislation

TRA is the assessing authority for a range of trade and associate professional

occupations under the Migration Regulations 1994.

Regulation 2.26B(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994 provides that “the standards

against which the skills of a person are assessed by a relevant assessing authority

for a skilled occupation must be the standards set by the relevant assessing

authority for the skilled occupation”.

1.5 Service delivery

Skills assessments for the Optional Service are undertaken by TRA-approved RTOs.

Currently, Future Skills International, VETASSESS, and Victoria University are

TRA-approved RTOs that provide the Optional Service. Contact details for these

RTOs are listed on the RTO Finder website.



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1.6 Fees

Skills assessment fees are paid directly to the RTO selected by the applicant to

conduct the skills assessment.

TRA-approved RTOs set fees, and fees are listed on the RTO’s website.

Links to TRA-approved RTO websites are available from the RTO Finder website.

1.7 TRA roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of TRA in relation to the Optional Service include (but

are not limited to):

providing up-to-date information about processes and procedures

contract management and monitoring of TRA-approved RTOs

responding to enquiries about the service

policy management

developing and maintaining an appropriate IT system to support the service

liaising with key stakeholders

responding to complaints that cannot otherwise be dealt with by the TRA-approved RTOs, as required

monitoring integrity of the service

managing evaluations of the service

undertaking compliance and investigative measures as required.

1.8 TRA-approved RTO roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of TRA-approved RTOs to deliver the services include

(but are not limited to):

meeting their obligations under the VET Quality Framework

conducting an assessment of the evidence applicants provide in accordance with the documented processes and procedures

notifying applicants of assessment outcomes, including issuing the appropriate documentation

liaising directly with applicants:

in response to enquiries

acknowledgement of applications and fees paid

managing the review process

complaint handling.



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1.9 Applicant roles and responsibilities

Applicants must:

be an overseas trained tradesperson seeking a skills assessment for the purpose of occupational licensing

accurately and honestly complete the required skills assessment application and declaration forms issued by the RTO conducting the skills assessment

provide valid, authentic, current evidence to the RTO to enable the assessment to be conducted

ensure the documentary evidence submitted to the RTO is complete and decision ready

participate in the assessment as advised by the RTO

pay all assessment fees to the RTO

1.10 Privacy

All personal information collected by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is protected

by the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). Schedule 1 of the Privacy Act contains the

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which prescribe the rules for handling personal

information.

The Privacy Act defines ‘personal information’ as:

‘information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable:

(a) Whether the information or opinion is true or not; and

(b) Whether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not’

Privacy information

Under the APPs, the Department of Education and Training (Department) is required

to have a clearly expressed and up to date policy about the way the Department

manages personal information. This policy contains information about how you may

access the personal information the Department holds about you, and how you may

correct any inaccuracies in that information. We will correct your personal

information if it is inaccurate (subject to restrictions on such access/alteration of

records under the applicable provisions of any law of the Commonwealth).

It also includes information as to how you may make a complaint about a breach of

the APPs, and how the Department will respond to such a complaint.

A copy of the Department’s privacy policy is available on the Department’s website

at: https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy



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More information about the Privacy Act, including a copy of the full text of the APPs,

can be obtained from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s

website at: www.oaic.gov.au.

Collection

TRA collects personal information from applicants for the purposes of:

processing applications, verifying evidence provided with applications, and

assessing whether an applicant has suitable skills in a nominated

occupation/s;

confirming authorisation by an applicant of his or her representative or

migration agent, and to provide contact details for that representative or

migration agent;

allowing you to make a payment of fees to TRA so you can lodge an

application;

allowing TRA to confirm payment and process refunds as applicable;

conducting investigations and ensuring compliance with relevant laws,

awards or standards, and

ensuring compliance with the Commonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines

(2011).

Personal information collected by the Department will only be used for the purposes

outlined above. If TRA is not able to collect your personal information, your

application will not be able to proceed.

In the course of assessing your application, TRA may receive unsolicited personal

information about you from a third party. If TRA would normally have been able to

collect that information or it forms a part of a Commonwealth record, it will be treated

in accordance with the APPs. If not, TRA will destroy or de-identify that information.

Disclosure

TRA may give some or all of the information it collects from applicants or third parties

to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Migration Review

Tribunal, the Australian Federal Police, your employer/s, your supervisor/s, your

nominated agent or representative, the organisations that issued your qualifications,

TRA approved registered training organisations, agencies providing advice to TRA

on qualifications such as UK NARIC, organisations or individuals providing in-country

verification services, the Australian Skills Quality Authority, the Reserve Bank of

Australia, your banking institution, contractors, the Fair Work Ombudsman and other

Australian and state/territory government agencies.

TRA may disclose your personal information to these entities for the reasons that are

listed above in the collection section.



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As part of the application process, TRA may be required to disclose your personal

information to an overseas recipient to verify information in your employment and

training claims. Typically, this personal information will be your name and date of

birth. These overseas recipients are likely to be located in the country or countries

from which you are making your employment or training claims.

Complaints

Please note, applicants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all

information provided to TRA.

Complaints about breaches of privacy should be referred to:

Privacy Contact Officer

Legal and Compliance Group


GPO Box 9880

CANBERRA ACT 2601

AUSTRALIA

Email: [email protected]

1.11 False or misleading Information

TRA-approved RTOs will take reasonable steps to verify the validity of information

supplied throughout the assessment process.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all information

provided to the RTO they choose to conduct the assessment.

If a TRA-approved RTO determines that information supplied is false, misleading,

non-factual or incorrect and that, by relying on that information, an applicant has

been incorrectly assessed as successful, the applicant may be contacted to advise

that the assessment is no longer successful.

TRA may refer matters to the appropriate authorities for investigation where

information that has been provided to support an application is known or believed to

be false.

NOTE: Penalties apply under the Crimes Act 1914 and the Criminal Code Act 1995

may apply for false or misleading statements and providing false or misleading

information or documents.



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1.12 Certification of Documentation

TRA-approved RTOs must be able to verify the content of all documents that are

provided by an applicant. The following instructions must be followed:

Original documents must not be sent to a TRA-approved RTO. All

documentation in support of an application must be certified copies of the

original documents.

A certified copy is a true copy of an original document that has been

sighted and certified by an acceptable person and annotated with:

I certify that I have sighted the original document and this is a true

copy.

The certifier’s name, title, registration number (where applicable) and their

signature and date must be included. Copies of signatures are not

acceptable.

If a document has multiple pages, the first page must include the

signature of the certifier, the date and the total number of pages of the

document. The certifier must initial and date every page in the document.

Documents certified within Australia must be certified by a registered

migration agent or by people who are listed in the Statutory Declarations

Regulations 1993 as persons before whom a statutory declaration can be

made. This list is available through the Australian Government’s

Attorney-General’s Department website

(http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/Statutorydeclarations.aspx).

For documents certified outside Australia, certified copies are copies

authorised, or stamped as being true copies of originals, by a person or

agency recognised by the law of the country in which the applicant

currently reside or by an Australian registered migration agent.



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1.13 Employment Statements

All statements provided to a TRA-approved RTO that relate to an applicant’s

employment or work experience must be signed by an employer or an employee of

the employer who is authorised and capable of making the statements, such as a

direct supervisor.

Each employment statement provided to a TRA-approved RTO must include:

start and end dates of employment

address where the applicant worked

normal hours of work

the nature of employment (full time, part time)

applicant’s job title (occupation)

a detailed description of the tasks undertaken, along with the machines, tools or equipment used

the name of the person authorised to make the statement and their contact details

all employer statements must be on a letterhead used by the employer’s business.

The person signing the statement must clearly indicate their name, position, contact

details and length of time they have been the applicant’s supervisor.

TRA-approved RTOs may contact an employer to verify information provided in an

employer statement. A contact telephone number is required for every person who

supplies an employment statement. A mobile telephone number is not sufficient as a

primary contact number unless the TRA-approved RTO can independently verify that

the mobile telephone number is linked to the organisation where the applicant was

employed.

All employment statements must be certified copies in accordance with section 1.12

above.



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Section 2 Optional Skills Assessment Service process

2.1 Purpose of the Optional Skills Assessment

Service

A skills assessment through the Optional Skills Assessment Service (Optional

Service) is undertaken for the purpose of gaining an occupational licence for one of

the following occupations:

Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic

Electrical linesworker

Electrician (general)

Electrician (special class)

Plumber (general)

Technical cable jointer

Prospective applicants are advised to check with state and territory licensing

regulators before submitting an application to TRA to ensure the appropriate

pathway for your circumstances. Contact details for licensing authorities are

available on the Licence Recognition website http://www.licencerecognition.gov.au/

2.2 Eligibility for the Optional Skills Assessment Service

To apply for a skills assessment under the Optional Service an applicant must

provide documentation that identifies experience in the nominated occupation.

Applicants must be able to travel to the location where the chosen TRA-approved

RTO can conduct the assessment.

The Optional Service is currently available for the nominated occupations in

Australia and the following countries:

Nominated Occupation Countries

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic [342111]

Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom

Electrical Linesworker [342211] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America

Electrician (General) [341111] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America

Electrician (Special Class) [341112] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America



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Plumber (General) [334111] Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America

Technical Cable Jointer [342212] Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America

2.3 Optional Skills Assessment Service process

Applicants must adhere to the following process to meet the standards set by TRA

under the Optional Service.

Step 1: Self-evaluation

Complete a self-evaluation of your skills, knowledge and experience in your

nominated occupation using the self-evaluation tool TradeSET to determine if you

have the required skills for work in Australia. There are no costs associated with

TradeSET and it can be used more than one time.

TradeSET can be accessed via www.tradeset.com.au.

Step 2: Choose a TRA-approved RTO

Applicants are required to select an RTO to conduct their skills assessment through

the RTO Finder website with the following instructions:

select the nominated occupation from the list available

select preferred TRA-approved RTO

A TRA-approved RTO must be used for skills assessments to meet TRA

requirements for this program.

Step 3: Submit documentary evidence

Applicants must submit decision ready* documentary evidence of their identity, skills

and experience to a TRA-approved RTO for assessment. The RTO advise what

documentation must be provided.

Documentation may include:

recent photographs-passport-sized, certified and dated

relevant passport pages-certified copy (must show name, photo and date of birth)

evidence of skills and experience, including but not limited to training documents, evidence of employment and employment statements

certified English translation of any documents sent, if originally issued in a language other than English, compiled by a registered translation service

the assessment fee.

If the evidence provided indicates that the applicant has the necessary skills and

experience relevant to the nominated occupation, the applicant will be invited to

participate in a technical assessment with an RTO assessor.



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If the documentary evidence does not sufficiently demonstrate the skills and

experience relevant to the nominated occupation, the RTO will advise the applicant

of the identified gaps.

* Decision ready means:

a) all documents requested by the RTO are provided when the application is

lodged

b) all documents are certified in accordance with section 1.12

c) employment statements conform to the requirements set out in section 1.13.

Step 4: Technical Assessment

Applicants will be required to participate in an assessment of their skills and

knowledge. The assessor conducting the assessment will be an Australian qualified

tradesperson from the nominated trade and a qualified assessor.

The assessor will focus on collecting evidence to determine the relevant Australian

Training Package qualification requirements have been meet. This may involve a

technical interview, a practical demonstration of skills and/or gathering evidence from

nominated employers or other referees.

The RTO will discuss assessment requirements with an applicant prior to conducting

the assessment.

All technical interviews are conducted in English. Interpreters are not permitted.

Step 5: TRA-approved RTO assessment outcome

The TRA-approved RTO will issue documentation notifying you of the outcome of

your assessment.

Applicants found competent in all aspects of the relevant assessment standard for

the nominated occupation, except for the Australian specific knowledge and skills,

will be issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR).

An applicant must still undertake Australian context training and a period of

supervised employment in the specific trade in order to be awarded the AQF

qualification for that occupation in Australia and gain a full occupational licence. See

Section 3 for information on the process for gaining an occupational licence in

Australia.

If unsuccessful, the RTO will advise of gaps identified in your skills and experience.

2.4 Optional Skills Assessment Service Outcome

Applicants will meet the standards set by TRA for an Optional Service if:

the process outlined in section 2.3 above is followed

all requirements of the TRA-approved RTOs that form part of any technical process are met



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all evidence provided can be verified to the satisfaction of the TRA-approved RTO and meets the requirements of the TRA-approved RTO for a successful skills assessment.

An applicant will be found not to have met the standards set by TRA under the Optional Skills Assessment Service if:

the documentary evidence provided to the TRA-approved RTO is not decision ready

the documentary evidence provided to the TRA-approved RTO is not relevant to the nominated occupation

the documentary evidence provided contains insufficient detail to meet the Optional Service requirements

the documentation is found to contain false or misleading information

the requirements of the TRA-approved RTO for the technical assessment are not met.

2.5 Optional Skills Assessment Service reviews

If an applicant disagrees with an assessment outcome they may lodge an application

for assessment review with the TRA-approved RTO that conducted the assessment.

Refer to your assessing RTO website for details about how to apply for a review and

the costs involved.

The review fee will be refunded if the review overturns the original outcome based on

the documentation provided in the original application. If new documentation was

considered necessary to overturn the original assessment outcome, the review fee is

not refundable.

2.6 Optional Skills Assessment Service timeline

The RTO chosen to conduct your assessment will advise how long the assessment

process will take. Typically, an assessment can be completed within thirteen weeks

from date of submitting all required documentary evidence to the RTO.



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Section 3 Gaining an occupational licence in Australia

3.1 Process for gaining an occupational licence

The following information outlines the process for obtaining an occupational licence

in Australia following a skills assessment through a TRA-approved registered training

organisation (RTO). Australia has strict safety standards and licensing requirements

for licensed occupations.

Step 1: Offshore Technical Skills Record

Applicants who complete a skills assessment through a TRA-approved RTO for one

of the following licensed occupations will be issued an Offshore Technical Skills

Record (OTSR).

Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic

Electrical linesworker

Electrician (general)

Electrician (special class)

Plumber (general)

Technical cable jointer

The OTSR documents an applicant’s technical skills by recording the technical

competencies the applicant has successfully demonstrated against the relevant

Australian qualification. The OTSR holder must still undertake Australian context

training and a period of supervised employment in the specific trade in order to be

awarded the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification for that

occupation in Australia.

Step 2: Provisional Licence

Overseas trained tradespeople who hold an OTSR are eligible to apply for a

provisional licence. A provisional licence allows the holder to perform work in the

licensed occupation under supervision while completing the Australian context

training. A provisional licence can be obtained on application from Australian state

and territory licensing regulators, subject to applicants meeting other non-skill

requirements.

Contact details for licensing authorities are available on the Licence Recognition

website.

Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics only

The Commonwealth refrigerant handling licence is an additional licensing

requirement across Australia for the refrigeration and air conditioning occupations,

and a restricted electrical licence may also be required depending on the licensing

arrangements in the particular state or territory.



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Information on the Commonwealth refrigerant licences is available on the

Australian Refrigeration Council website.

Step 3: Australian Context Training

While working under supervision, OTSR holders also undertake formal training to

obtain the Australian-specific knowledge related to their occupation. The process for

this context training differs between electrical and airconditioning and refrigeration

trades and for plumbing.

Minimum Australian Context Gap training for electrical occupations and

airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic has been developed by E-Oz Energy

Skills Australia, the Industry Skills Council responsible for the training packages in

these industries.

Further information on the minimum Australian context gap training for these

occupations, including availability and fee information is available on the

E-Oz Energy Skills Australia website.

The Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council is responsible for

plumbing qualifications in Australia Further information and resources available for

migrant plumbers is available on the Construction and Property Services Industry

Skills Council website.

Step 4: Obtain AQF Certificate III

On successful completion of both the Australian context training and a period of

supervised employment (up to 12 months), the OTSR holder can apply for the

relevant AQF Certificate III qualification from the TRA-approved RTO that issued the

OTSR.

The AQF Certificate III can then be used to apply for a full tradesperson’s licence

with the relevant state or territory licensing authority, provided any other

requirements of the licensing authority have been met.

Step 5: Apply for full tradesperson’s licence

Generally the AQF Certificate III is a requisite for a tradesperson’s licence, which

may have a slightly different name and different conditions depending on the state or

territory you wish to work in.

Please note that a tradesperson’s licence does not automatically allow the holder to

become a contractor. Contractor’s licences generally require further training and

additional experience. Individuals should confirm these requirements, and the

conditions of the various licence categories with the licensing authority in the

. relevant state or territory



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Section 4 Contact details

4.1 Locate a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

To locate an RTO to conduct a skills assessment please utilise the RTO Finder

located on the TRA website following these instructions:

select the nominated occupation from the list available

select preferred TRA-approved RTO

4.2 Locate a Licensing Regulator

To locate state and territory licensing regulator for occupational licensing please visit

http://www.licencerecognition.gov.au/

For information about the Commonwealth refrigerant licences go to the Australian

Refrigeration Council website at http://www.arctick.org/index.php

4.3 Contact an Industry Skills Council

Industry Skills Councils can provide information on Australian context training and

RTOs that can deliver the training:

Airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic: E-Oz – Energy Skills Australia

Electrical occupations: E-Oz – Energy Skills Australia

Plumber (General): CPSISC - Construction & Property

Services Industry Skills Council

4.4 General Enquiries about the Optional Skills

Assessment Service

Contact Trades Recognition Australia.

Phone:

Monday to Friday: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Australian Eastern Standard Time, excluding public holidays (GMT +10 hours)

Outside Australia: +61 2 6240 8778

Within Australia: 1300 360 992



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Email

[email protected]

Fax

+61 2 6123 7883

Web

www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/

Post

Trades Recognition Australia


GPO Box 3022

CANBERRA ACT 2601

AUSTRALIA



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Section 5 Glossary

Term used in Guidelines

Definition

Australian context training

Australian context training, developed by Australian Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) for the airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic, plumbing and electrical licensed trades, enables overseas-trained tradespeople to gain the Australian specific knowledge and experience as referred to in the Offshore Technical Skills Record. This training can only be undertaken by applicants when they are in Australia, through RTOs approved to deliver the course. ISCs bring together industry, educators and governments to develop, implement and continuously improve vocational education and training (VET) training Packages.

Australian Training Package

A set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications developed by industry to ensure quality training outcomes and to meet current and emerging vocational skill needs.

decision ready Decision ready means:

a) all documents requested by the RTO are provided when application lodged

b) all documents are certified in accordance with section 1.12 above

c) employment statements conform to the requirements set out in section 1.13 above

Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)

DIBP’s key objectives are to: manage the lawful and orderly entry and stay of people in Australia, including through effective border security promote a society which values Australian citizenship, appreciates cultural diversity and enables migrants to participate equitably. DIBP has responsibility for administering the Migration Act 1958 and associated Regulations. DIBP works in conjunction with the Department of Industry to deliver skilled trades/technical people and professionals to Australia through the skilled migration program.


The department will be responsible for national policies and programmes that help Australians access quality early childhood education, school education, higher education, vocational education and training, international education and research.

Occupational licence Occupational licence is issued by an Australian licensing authority and allows a person to carry out work in an



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Term used in Guidelines

Definition

airconditioning and refrigeration, electrical or plumbing trade.

nominated occupation

One of the occupations listed at section 1.2.

Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR)

The document that is issued when an applicant has been found competent in all aspects of the relevant assessment standard for their nominated occupation except for the Australian specific knowledge and skills that can only be acquired through training and work experience in Australia.

Provisional Licence A provisional licence allows the holder to work in their licensed trade in Australia under supervision and is a pathway to a full licence.

Qualification A trade qualification awarded under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

review A request to re-examine an application when the applicant does not agree with an assessment outcome.

skills assessment The process of collecting evidence and making judgments on whether an individual can perform to the standard expected in an Australian workplace.

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

TRA manages skills assessments for people with trade skills who want to apply to DIBP for permanent and temporary skilled migration to Australia. TRA also does skills assessments for people seeking an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate and for people who require a skills assessment to facilitate access to occupational licensing.



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Section 6 Acronyms

Acronym Meaning

ANZSCO Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

AQF Australian Qualification Framework

CPSISC Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council

DIBP Department of Immigration and Border Protection

E-Oz Energy Skills Australia

ISC Industry Skills Council

OTSR Offshore Technical Skills Record

RTO Registered Training Organisation

TRA Trades Recognition Australia

VET Vocational Education and Training