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Get your overseas trade formally recognised in Australia
If you’re a qualified tradie from overseas, a skills assessment is your first step to licensed work, higher wages and employer sponsorship. We guide you through every step.
What is a skills assessment, and do you need one?
A skills assessment is an official evaluation of your overseas qualifications and work experience against Australian standards. For most trades, it’s carried out by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
- Work legally in a licensed trade in Australia
- Apply for employer-sponsored visas
- Apply for skilled migration visas
- Get your overseas qualifications formally recognised
Licensed trade or not: your pathway is different
Whether your occupation is licensed decides which pathway you need, and in what order.
| Licensed trades | Non-licensed trades | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Electrician, plumber, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic | Carpenter, welder, mechanic, fitter, bricklayer, chef |
| First step | TRA skills assessment | RPL with a registered training organisation |
| What you get | An OTSR, then a provisional licence, gap training and a full licence from your state | An Australian certificate (usually Certificate III) |
| For skilled migration | A TRA skills assessment is required for skilled migration | A TRA skills assessment after your certificate |
Not sure which applies to you? The free eligibility check tells you in 60 seconds.
Experience requirements
Typical minimum experience. We confirm your exact situation in the free eligibility check.
| With a qualification | Without a qualification | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-licensed trade | 3 years | 5 years |
| Licensed trade | 4 years | 6 years |
In all cases, TRA asks for proof of at least 12 months worked in your trade within the past 3 years.
Check your eligibility in 60 seconds
Tell us about your trade and experience. We’ll tell you exactly what you qualify for. Free, no commitment.
How it works, step by step
From first contact to a positive outcome, you always know what’s next.
Free eligibility check
We review your trade, qualifications and work history, and tell you which pathway and assessing authority apply.
Personalised strategy call
We walk you through your options, realistic timelines and next steps, in plain English (or French).
Documents and application
We guide you through every document: qualifications, employment references, ID. We review your full application before submission.
You're recognised
We help you understand what it unlocks (licensing, visa pathways, employer sponsorship) and what your next move should be.
What a positive assessment opens up
A skills assessment is often the missing piece between your experience and your next step.
Employer sponsorship
A positive assessment is a key requirement for many employer-sponsored visas.
Permanent residency pathway
It is also required for skilled migration visas.
Trade licensing
For licensed trades, it is the mandatory first step toward your Australian state licence.
Why work with Oversix, not go it alone?
You can apply yourself: TRA’s website is public. But here’s what most tradies only realise when it’s too late.
- Hours spent deciphering TRA requirements
- Wrong documents mean delays or rejection
- Little feedback if your application fails
- Processing times blow out by months
- Every document checked before submission
- References written to meet TRA standards
- Templates and revision support
- You focus on work, we handle the paperwork
Frequently asked questions
Which authority assesses my trade?
For most trades, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). A few occupations are assessed by other bodies, such as VETASSESS. The free eligibility check tells you which one applies to you.
How long does a skills assessment take?
It depends on the program. For the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, TRA indicates an outcome about 15 weeks after complete documentary evidence is submitted. Times are a guide only, and incomplete documents are the main cause of delays.
Can I apply from overseas?
Yes. Many of our clients start their skills assessment before they arrive in Australia.
What documents will I need?
Usually your qualifications, employment references, payslips or contracts, and ID documents. We give you a checklist and templates, and we review everything before submission.
Do you give visa advice?
No. Oversix is not a registered migration agent. We handle skills recognition and can refer you to a registered migration agent for visa advice.
Real tradies. Real results.
Over 100 overseas tradies have already gone through the Oversix process. Here’s what some of them had to say.
Ready to find out if you qualify?
It takes 60 seconds. No commitment. Just clarity.