In an unexpected announcement affecting skilled migration to Australia, the body that assesses the competencies of most trade skills occupations (Trades Recognition Australia) has announced the removal of the assessment pathway for those who do not have qualifications.
http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=424

Best regards.

Oh my god, I can't believe it. That totally puts a spanner in the works for us. Will ahve to find out what qualifications they want so he can get them i am so gutted about that, if only we haf perservered and sent off the TRA last year

Hey!

Do we know if this affects everyone or just new applicants? Think this should mess up a few people!

Dan and Steph

Effective immediately, Skill Pathway D has been removed from the UAC. All applications TRA has received to date and not finalised, which predominantly rely on evidence of work experience and would normally be assessed under Skill Pathway D, will be returned along with the application fee. Until 30 September 2007 any subsequent applications received by TRA will also be returned with the application fee.

http://www.workplace.gov.au/NR/rdonl...eptember07.pdf

On the link it says all applications that have been received to date and not finalised will be returned along with the fee (skill pathway D)
looks like a lot of people may be affected


Just thought maybe a mod can make this a sticky for a while?

I wonder if people like me who would have applied under cat D will be able to change to cat B, informal apprenticeship. Surely this will aply to anyone who has on the job training.

I am shocked they have done this. One one hand they are calling out for Brits but lots of tradesmen don't have formal qualifications! It seems crazy. My partner is a fantastic poasterer with a brilliant reputation. A newly qualified plasterer would not be a patch on him quality wise

HELP PLEASE!!!

how does a locksmith apply for tra then as it has no recognised qualifications,
no certs or anything really, my oh was trained on the job.
he has eight years experience and its the only job he has ever had he started the day he left school and still works for the same co.

does this mean he can not apply now??

We are going over later in the year on a 457 and were planning on applying for PR once there by doing the TRA. This has now stumped us as in England there is no qualification for a sign writter..............how are we going to get PR? Can we still apply after 2 years without the TRA? aaaahhhhhhhhhhh i cant understand why they have made such a shocking drastic change!

Can anyone please tell me what the difference is between cat D and cat B
thanks

Thats just bloody "Charming':curse:

But good news for others waiting.

Hi Everyone,

Yes, this comes as a shock. The decision to refuse to determine applications already in processing unless already the subject of a primary refusal makes me think that they have had legal advice that what they're doing is not supported by the legislation; and if it's any reassurance I would say that 90% of Pathway D applicants from the UK could claim pathways B or C if they thought carefully about documenting the formal training they've had. The impact of this will be felt most keenly among applicants from India - where there have been many Pathway D applications - and other less well documented countries. Training courses will no doubt spring up in those places overnight.

And there's always Pathway E - for which you could obtain an Australian Certificate III through assessment only and show four years of relevant work experience.

I'd suggest that anyone likely to be affected by this seek the advice of an experienced agent - I'm happy to refer on electrical, auto and metal trades, applicants for example, as well as your standard chippies, sparkies, cooks etc; and of course compared to this the Vetassess approach suddenly sounds more attractive.

Also important to note that the 457 to PR route won't be affected by this decision, so this will be a boon for recruiting firms.

Finally, Gina and Danny can you email me please?



The full operative part of the TRA statement is as follows:

Until further notice TRA will no longer accept applications that predominantly rely on evidence
of work experience and would normally be assessed under Skill Pathway D of the UAC.
Effective immediately, Skill Pathway D has been removed from the UAC. All applications TRA
has received to date and not finalised, which predominantly rely on evidence of work
experience and would normally be assessed under Skill Pathway D, will be returned along with
the application fee. Until 30 September 2007 any subsequent applications received by TRA
will also be returned with the application fee.
Applications received on or after 1 October 2007 will be assessed by TRA against the UAC,
exclusive of the former Skill Pathway D, and the standard fee will apply.
TRA will assess all applications against the following skill pathways that require applicants to
have formal training and work experience:
Skill Pathway A: Formal apprenticeship
Skill Pathway B: Informal apprenticeship
Skill Pathway C: Vocational traineeship
Skill Pathway E: Australian qualification
The full requirements for each Skill Pathway are defined in the UAC (refer TRA Website)
Any applications already accepted and assessed by TRA under Skill Pathway D will be eligible
for an internal review against the requirements of Skill Pathway D as formerly detailed in the
UAC. This review must be requested within 60 days of the date of an applicant’s letter from
TRA advising that the original application was unsuccessful.



Cheers,

George Lombard

Hi all,
A sad day by the sound of it,
My question is how do you know which skill pathway TRA are prossessing your application through, I don't have a full qualification in my trade but i do have training and went to college but only for 2 years instead of 4.
Please help.

We passed TRA in January 07....already submitted for 136 visa and had meds. My first thought was what happens with us? Are we still ok as we have already had it so long before?

Im sure many ppl will be thinking the same.

Dan and Steph

I e mailed my agent and yes you are safe so relax, your visa is already in.
I felt sick too.