Skills assessment for 10 occupations including Electricians, will not be required for sc457 applicants from China under the FTA, a letter from Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb to his Chinese counterpart has revealed.

Under the arrangements Chinese workers will only have to show evidence of their skills and training as proof of their skill.

The letter from Mr Robb stated, “Australia will remove the requirement for mandatory skills assessment for the following 10 occupations on the date of entry into force of the Agreement:

Automotive Electrician [321111]

Cabinetmaker [3941111]

Carpenter [331212]

Carpenter and Joiner [331212]

Diesel Motor Mechanic [321212]

Electrician (General) [341111]

Electrician (Special Class) [341112]

Joiner [331213]

Motor Mechanic (General) [321211]

Motorcycle Mechanic [321213]”

The government is reviewing more occupations to add to this streamlined arrangement of skills recognition between the two countries.

Explaining the arrangements, Mr Robb told the ABC, "The FTA does not, I repeat does not, change the skills and experience requirement that needs to be met by a skilled worker applying for a visa to work in Australia," he said.

"Applicants will still be required to demonstrate to the Immigration Department that they possess the requisite skills and experience to work in this country.

"This includes evidence of qualifications, memberships of relevant bodies or associations, references, CVs, documents showing English language skills and so on."

But Allen Hicks from the Electrical Trades Union said the agreement could compromise Australia's high safety standards.

"For the Federal Government to come out and waive that under a free trade agreement, without any consultation with unions or employers, is an absolute disgrace," he said.

"It's going to create significant workplace dangers, not only just for electricians, but all those people who use electricity." Mr Hicks said that ETU is planning industrial action against these proposed changes.

The FTA remains subject to review by the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, and the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee as well as Chinese authorities. Both countries are working to complete these steps and bring the Agreement into force as soon as possible.