Australian Immigration Daily News

The following is an email received by Migration Alliance from Vetassess which clears up questions that RMAs have asked during our Brisbane conference:

Here is my reply to the following questions I received  at the VETASSESS presentation I gave to Migration Alliance last Saturday in Brisbane.  You kindly offered to arrange for my reply to be forwarded to the agents who attended that presentation.

Questions

1.       Is our Pathway 2 criteria the same as TRA’s?

Answer:  Yes, our criteria is the same as TRA’s as we are required to follow the Pathway 2 criteria specified by TRA.  The TRA website explains this pathway:

Pathway 2, under the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, is for applicants who hold a relevant Australian qualification.

The TRA website advises applicants for a Pathway 2 assessment as follows:

You must submit decision ready* documentary evidence of your skills, employment experience and Australian qualification to a TRA-approved RTO for assessment. The RTO you choose will tell you what documentation is required.

You must demonstrate at least three years full time paid employment in a relevant and directly related trade, including 12 months full time paid employment in the nominated trade in the two years before you lodge your application. Evidence of employment undertaken on a part time basis can also be considered and counted toward the employment requirement on a pro rata basis.
 
If your evidence demonstrates that you have the necessary skills and experience relevant to your nominated occupation, you will be invited to participate in a technical assessment ………….
 
If successful, your TRA-approved RTO will issue you with a skilled migration outcome letter that can be presented to DIAC with your visa application.

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

2.       Do Australian trade qualifications  achieved through RPL of employment meet the VETASSESS employment criteria for a Pathway 2 Skills Assessment?

Answer:  The RPL employment will be taken into consideration against the criteria for Pathway 2 criteria (see above). Generally, successful VETASSESS Pathway 2 applicants have worked several years in their nominated trade occupation with recent employment in that trade before they gain an Australian trade qualification.  This employment may have been undertaken on-shore or off-shore.

3.       Can VETASSESS provide a Skills Assessment for an air-conditioning mechanic from Israel?

Answer:  No, under an agreement with TRA, VETASSESS only assesses air-conditioning tradespersons from the United Kingdom.   Applicants in this trade from other countries should contact TRA for advice.

Regards,

Rosemary Woodger
Acting Executive Director
VETASSESS