Australia Eases Skills Assessments for Migrants in Construction | Australia Immigration News

On 8 May 2024, the Australian government announced the fast-tracking of skills assessments for migrants with building and construction-related skills. This initiative is aimed at addressing the urgent demand in the Australian housing construction sector, highlighted in the 2024-25 Budget.

Key Points:

• Over the next two years, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) will prioritise the processing of approximately 2,600 skills assessments in targeted construction occupations.
• Around 1,900 potential migrants from countries with comparable qualifications will benefit from streamlined skills assessments.
• The complete list of targeted occupations is available on TRA’s website.

Starting 1 July 2024, TRA’s in-house assessment programs, including the Provisional Skills Assessment, Job Ready Program, and Migration Skills Assessment (MSA), will prioritise these occupations. Migrants do not need to apply for prioritisation; TRA will automatically identify relevant applications based on the selected occupation.

From 31 July 2024, TRA is removing the mandatory Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) requirement for specified occupation/low-risk country combinations for applicants with relevant qualifications. This change allows for a cheaper and simpler MSA application process. Applicants without qualifications can still opt for OSAP.

Additional Information:

• This initiative aims to bolster the Australian construction workforce, aiding in the rapid expansion of housing projects.
• The streamlined assessment process is designed to facilitate faster integration of skilled migrants into the workforce, ensuring timely completion of construction projects.
• The industry consultation ensured that the streamlined process maintains the necessary standards and addresses potential risks.

Prospective migrants should verify with the Department of Home Affairs to confirm if a skills assessment is required for their visa application and ensure that TRA is the correct assessing authority for their nominated occupation.