we are currently filling out skills assessment for my husband (who has been a self employed painter and decorator for the last 15 years) with TRA and would be grateful if anyone could help with a couple of queries:-

1. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY & statements from past employers - a lot of his past employers are no longer trading. Is this information essential as it is more than 15 years ago? If so how do we get around it.

2. EVIDENCE OF SELF EMPLOYMENT -

(a) "at least 3 statements from suppliers" - My husband has used only one main supplier. Would this be acceptable
(b)"statements from 3 clients on letter headed paper" - no problem about clients but most of them are householders, not business's could someone clarify !letter headed"

i think thats all for now - i hope !!!!!! THANKS

Hi,

I had my trade quals assessed by TRA. One of the companies I worked for had ceased trading a number of years ago. Therefore I could not get proof of employment history on company letter headed paper. I wrote to my former supervisors (luckily I knew their home addresses) and got reference letters. I don't know if this carried any weight with TRA, but I got a positive assessment.

I hope this helps with your app.

Good luck
Karl.

Hi
I know just how you feel, I'v just sent off my TRA assessment and had the same worries as you are having. I emailed them regarding statements from clients as I owned a hotel and of course all my clients were guests. They said so long as they made reference to the line of work then that would be fine. So I
have sent three lovely letters from my guests and hope this is enough for them. As for statements from employers, I too spent weeks trying to trace certain people for relevant information, even had to get in touch with my ex husband that i hadnt spoken too for years.. so I hope it has all been worth it. I havent had a reply yet, still got my fingers, toes
and anything else nearby crossed!
Good luck
Jan

You don't say if your hubby has trade qualifications or not. If he doesn't and you are applying under the 'six years job experience' rule, you might want to consider using a guy called Glenn Newton (he has a website www.alms.com.au). It doesn't sound like your application is going to be straight forward, what with previous employers going out of business etc, and the TRA are very picky about what evidence they will or won't accept for proving that you are suitable for migration. This guy used to be the head honcho at TRA for ten years, so he knows just how to frame your application to maximise your chance of a positive result. If I remember rightly, he charges about $500. There are lots of old threads on this forum too, do a search on TRA and you should flush out quite a bit of helpful info. Good luck. adelaidegirl