Skill Assessments vs Trade Courses in Australia: What You Need to Know
If you’re an African professional or technical worker eyeing Australia, you’ll come across two key pathways:
doing a skill assessment for a skilled migration visa (professional occupations)
pursuing a trade course / trade occupation which often comes via vocational training and trade-skills pathways
Both can lead to migration opportunities, but they work differently. Let’s compare them side by side so you know which fits your situation.
| Pathway | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Assessment (Professional / Skilled Occupation) | A recognition by an Australian assessing authority that your overseas or Australian qualification and work experience meet the standards of a nominated skilled occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). | Professionals (engineers, ICT, accountants, health specialists) who wish to apply for general skilled visas (e.g., subclass 189, 190, 491) |
| Trade Courses / Trade Occupation Pathway | Vocational courses and trade skill recognition, leading to occupations such as electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc. You often complete a Certificate III/IV or equivalent, pass a trade skills assessment (for migration) and may access skilled migration pathways. | People with technical/tangible trade skills (hands-on) or those willing to train into them, who wish to migrate under trade occupations and may benefit from lower points or higher demand |
How Each Works: Process, Agencies, Documents & Requirements
Skill-Assessment for Skilled (Professional) Occupations
Agencies / Organisations in charge
For many professions, assessing authorities such as VETASSESS (for many professionals & some trades) or Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for trade-skills pathways.
The official visa timeframe depends on your occupation being listed on the SOL.
Key steps
Choose your nominated occupation on the SOL.
Confirm that the assessing authority is correct for your occupation.
Prepare documents: overseas qualification, transcripts, employment references, work experience, licensing (if any), English proficiency.
Submit skills assessment application → await outcome (positive/negative). For example, if you’re assessed by TRA: MSA (Migration Skills Assessment) programme.
Once you have a positive assessment, you move to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect (for 189/190/491) and aim for an invitation. You’ll need minimum 65 points (but many invitations are above that).
Documents & other requirements (general)
Certified copy of your highest qualification related to the nominated occupation.
Evidence of full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (number of years depends on assessing authority).
Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, PTE etc).
If overseas, transcripts and employment references must be in English or officially translated.
For TRA trade pathways: documents must be scanned full-colour, not certified copies in some cases.
Trade Courses / Trade-Occupation Pathway & Trade Skills Assessment
Agencies / Organisations
TRA handles trade-skills assessments for many occupations.
VETASSESS also assesses certain trade occupations under “Skills Assessment for Trade Occupations”.
How it works
Identify a trade occupation on the SOL or a state/territory list that accepts trade occupations (e.g., Bricklayer, Electrician).
If you don’t already hold an Australian qualification/licence, you apply under a pathway (Pathway 1) that requires proof of overseas work experience + may include a practical skills test.
Alternatively, if you hold an Australian trade qualification/licence, you may apply under Pathway 2 — your overseas or Australian qualification + work experience.
On success of trade skills assessment, you can then use the result when lodging your visa application (skilled migration) or for employer-sponsored/trade-major visas.
Documents & requirements (trade)
Trade certificate/qualification (if applicable).
Work references: job title, duties, durations, company letterhead, salary/payslips.
For Pathway 1: evidence of years of full-time employment (typically 3-6 years depending if you had formal training/licence)
Practical assessment or technical interview as required.
Certified English translations of documents not in English.
Key Comparison: Skilled (Professions) vs Trades (Trade Courses) for Migration
| Feature | Professional Skill Assessment Pathway | Trade Course / Trade Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Type of occupation | Usually degree-level, professional (engineer, accountant, ICT) | Vocational/trade level (electrician, carpenter, plumber) |
| Qualifications required | Degree (Bachelor/Master) + relevant experience | Trade certificate (Cert III/IV) or equivalent work experience + assessment |
| Assessing authority | Varies: VETASSESS, others per occupation | TRA for many; VETASSESS for some trades |
| Points required for visa | Minimum 65 points for many GM (General Skilled) visas; however, invitations often higher | Minimum still 65, but for trades there are recent rounds at 65 points due to high demand Visa Go Australia |
| Demand / invitation rounds | Competitive; depends on occupation, list, and demand | Strong demand for trades; government emphasising trade occupations, more favourable conditions recently |
| Time & cost | Usually longer; costs include skills assessment, EOI lodgement, etc | Can be faster if trade is in demand; trade skills assessment may cost less; trade courses can be shorter |
| Advantage for Africans | Good for those with university degrees and strong English + experience | Good for Africans with hands-on trade skills or willing to train into them; may easier meet threshold and be in demand |
| Migration outcomes | Permanent residency paths available (189/190/491) | Similar PR pathways; sometimes quicker due to trade shortage |
Why Trade Courses / Trade Occupations Can Be Especially Beneficial Right Now
The Australian government has shifted its visa invitation emphasis towards tradespeople. For example, in the August 2025 invitation round, many trade occupations such as Bricklayer, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter & Joiner, Electrician (General), Wall and Floor Tiler were invited on just 65 points.
Trades fill urgent labour shortages (construction, building, infrastructure) giving you a competitive advantage.
For many African applicants, if you already have trade experience or willing to upskill, this pathway can be more accessible than some professional occupation streams.
Trade-based migration means you’re working in visible, in-demand roles with clear demand in Australia (less competition than some “white-collar” professions).
Trade courses are typically shorter and possibly less expensive than full university degrees — which can reduce your upfront cost and expedite your migration timeline.
Trade Occupations in Demand in Australia (with Points Consideration)
Here are sample trade occupations that are in demand and have recently featured in invitation rounds:
Electrician (General) – ANZSCO Code 341111; invited at 65 points in Aug 2025.
Plumber (General) – ANZSCO Code 334111; similarly in demand.
Carpenter – ANZSCO Code 331212; invited at lower points thresholds.
Wall and Floor Tiler – ANZSCO Code 333411; high demand.
Cabinetmaker – ANZSCO Code 394111; included in recent trade-invitation rounds.
Bricklayer – ANZSCO Code 331111; invited at 65 points.
It’s important to check the current lists (SOL, state/territory lists) and assessing authority for your occupation.
Points guidance:
Even for trade occupations, you still must submit an EOI and aim for the minimum 65 points. And although 65 is the threshold, being higher improves your chances.
What This Means for You (as an African Applicant)
If you’re from Africa and considering migration to Australia, here’s how to decide:
If you have a university degree, strong English, and relevant professional experience — go the skilled assessment (professional) route.
If you have hands-on trade experience, or are willing to upskill into a trade, consider the trade course / trade occupation pathway: it might give you faster access and better demand.
Ensure your occupation is on the correct list (SOL or state list) and that you use the right assessing authority.
Prepare your documentation thoroughly: qualifications, work experience, English test, references. Mistakes cost time and money.
Build your points score: trade route doesn’t mean you ignore points; a positive trade skills assessment + eligible occupation + 65 + points = good chance.
Monitor recent invitation rounds: if you see trade occupations being invited at lower points (65), that’s a signal of demand and opportunity for you.
Consider the cost/time of completing a trade course if required, versus cost/time of professional qualification route.
Work with a trusted migration advisor (like Afrovo) who can map your profile, show you the right occupation, set realistic plans and help with documentation.
Choosing between a professional skilled assessment pathway and a trade course/trade occupation pathway is a significant decision — and it can determine how quickly and smoothly you migrate to Australia.
For many African applicants, trade occupations are becoming a very strategic, realistic migration pathway — thanks to high demand, lower effective competition, and invitations at minimum points.
But that doesn’t diminish the professional route: if you’re qualified, you should still consider it.
At Afrovo, we help you analyse your background, pick the right occupation, prepare your documentation, maximise your points and steer you into the pathway that gives you the best chance of success.
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