The MIA have released the following information about the shape of things to come with the new TRA Pathway D (note: this is still only a "proposal" and more changes may be forthcoming - I certainly hope so):
The proposed new approach is quite different to previous pathways but offers good prospects for many would-be migrant applicants to qualify on the basis of their trade skills.
It is expected that the new policy will come into effect on 1 September 2008 but, to some extent, this will depend upon the feedback which DEEWR receives.
Of particular interest:
•1. Replacement for Pathway D.
The old Pathway D allowed for a consideration of workplace experience alone. This will not be a feature of the new system. Under the new system, skills assessment will rely on qualifications, which can include licensing, industry certificates, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and gap training, with independent verification. All of this will, of course, depend on comparability with Australian equivalents.
Training and workplace assessment can be conducted by an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) either inside or outside Australia. Form 1 January 2009, training and assessments conducted outside Australia will be accepted only if that RTO is registered with AusLIST. Training or assessments conducted by RTOs within Australia are not subject to this restriction.
TRA would expect any training by RTOs to take an appropriate length of time for any particular occupation. While each case will be assessed on its merits, a Certificate III gained in a few days would most likely be closely scrutinised! Training that seems to be extraordinarily short or quick would be unlikely to be the trainee skills commensurate with Australian standards and expectations.
•2. 900 hours work experience.
Work experience, now more clearly defined as employment, can be counted once the applicant has a Certificate III. The work does not have to be at a highly skilled level from the outset. In the case of Cooks, for example, while 900 hours spent peeling potatoes or working at McDonalds will not satisfy the requirements, in the earlier period of the 900 hours period they may have done some of those things. The important thing is that over the 900 hours they can show that they have developed their skills and abilities as a Cook, so that by the end of the time they are cooking a wide range of recipes at a skilled level.
•3. TRA will be introducing fillable and downloadable application forms
•4. A completed, ready-to-assess TRA application is essential. TRA will not ask for missing documentation, they will simply refuse the application. With over 30,000 applications each year, any other procedure would badly affect their processing times of 10 days for MODL occupations and 20 days for others.
•5. There is a recognition by TRA that no migration agent is in a position to know the comparability of every qualification, licence, etc, for every country. TRA has always been open to agents calling them prior to lodging applications if they have genuine uncertainties. While TRA cannot, at that enquiry stage, make a definitive statement about the outcome of an application, they may be able to indicate potential problems or give other advice.
•6. Review and appeal options will be available.
•a. Review: Applicants may lodge an application (which can include new evidence) for review if they do not agree with the original assessment.
This must be done within 90 days of the original assessment. There is a fee for this, which is refundable if the overturning of the original assessment is based on the evidence provided in the original application.
If the review is unsuccessful, a fresh skills assessment application can be lodged at any time.
•b. Appeal: Applicants may lodge an appeal where they do not agree with the review outcome.
This must be done within 28 days of the review outcome and is free.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, a new skills assessment application in the same occupation cannot be lodged for a period of 6 months from the date of the appeal outcome.
From the above it looks like the RPL (recognition of prior learning) assessments which many applicants have begun relying on, will be the way to go.
I have made the thread sticky until everyone affected has had a chance to digest it.
In the meanwhile, the trainsing assessors in Oz, please. Do they intend to set up a website to make it easy to find the various assessors in the various fields, please?
There are a few training assessors coming to the UK too. When I get more concrete information about them (I am sure there will be quite a few coming out of the woodwork), I will post up more information.
Looks a good proposal for Brits as I am sure the NVQ2 workplace assessment will be recognised by TRA. Those that have the classroom NVQ/C&G and did not study for 900 hours plus may alsio benefit now and be OK without doing workplace assessment.
Regards
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Tony Coates
Registered Migration Agent 0635896
I would have thought at least NVQ3 would be needed. But let's see. To be perfectly honest Tony, we have been finding that the TRA has been very generous with assessments since Pathway D was removed.
But if I've understood it correctly it still leaves those unfortunate tradesmen with absolutely no qualifications in the lurch. They will have to fork out a lot of money (more than even the Vetassess/Tradeassess charges, by the looks of it) for RPLs.
And it still remains an unfair system: why should some countries have been singled out for new Tradeassess assessments? And while some people from the UK may be able to afford the Tradeassess or RPL charges, what about trades people from other countries where this is simply not a consideration?
If Australia does want to fill gaps in the trades sector then why isn't everyone given a fair, equal platform to be able to prove that they are experienced trades people.
I am sorry, I am launching into a rant. This is not the place for it.
From what i can make of it that's us out, I cannot believe it, there are no qualifications for locksmiths in this country and AFQ don't have one either.
I have emailed our agent to see if there is anything we can do, but i'm just gutted. Sam
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Stuart (locksmith) Sam (mummy) Joseph and Archie.
Sam is your OH not a member of UKLA? Has he not completed any training courses? I wouldn't give up yet, the proposal is still only a proposal, and they may iron out some of these issues.
You should also remember that just because you may not qualify for the skilled permanent route, there are other visas available! Your agent should be able to tell you about all of your options, not just the skilled options.
I will email the MIA to point out the problem locksmiths may have.
He has been on many training courses, but they are only weekend courses run by other locksmiths who give training it's nothing official, no city and guilds or nvq's, he has certificates but there only from the companies who run these courses, he has great references and had run his own locksmith business for 8 years. We have been trying to get a sponsor from last sept when TRa made the changes, we had sent our paperwork in but they sent it back it it missed the deadline by 3 days. Have got our agent looking at it all now, just phoned her in tears, poor thing i probably frightned the life out of her.
thanks you for your help, Sam
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Stuart (locksmith) Sam (mummy) Joseph and Archie.
From what i can make of it that's us out, I cannot believe it, there are no qualifications for locksmiths in this country and AFQ don't have one either.
I have emailed our agent to see if there is anything we can do, but i'm just gutted. Sam
Think I'm in a similar situation, an ccupation that is skilled but carries no formal or vocational training. From my thorough research It appears there is no AQF III for Electroplaters also, i've read the ASCO defination of what an electroplater is required to be able to do and its incredibley basic, i could train someone in a few weeks to pass an assessment, I could pass the criteria while still asleep.but i digress, even if there was an AQF II, no one can as yet provide a way to get an assessment done in the UK, and thats before i tackle the hostile nature of my employee. Yet I am being told by the TRA I need to get one to have my skills recognised,
Electroplater is on both the SOL and ENSOL lists and i have an employer with a job offer in Metropolitan Melbourne who can't fill the position locally, as its in metropolitan Melbourne i don't think I get state sponsorship (not that would make much difference as i'd still need TRA recognition). So as you can imagine its a little disconcerting to be told I need a certificate that may not exsist, and even if it does, in all likelihood i won't be able to gain it within the UK. I've spoken to my prospective employer and i have more experience than any of his current employers (he didnt have a clue what an AQF certificate III was btw) and i have experience in areas non of his current workers have.
I've emailed a few questions to the TRA to find out if they can provide any helpful information, possible exceptions to the prescibed route, or possible solutions to this situation, fingers crossed for a helpful reply.
But looks like my best option is for my prospective employer to sponsor me but there are obvious drawbacks to this option. mostly the temporary nature of the visa, and the terrifying prospect of having 28 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia if things don't work out as hoped. As yet its unclear as if they will be able to sponsor me under the current guidelines even if they are willing to.
We're ready to go and employ an agent, GoMatilda to be more precise as the information and help so far provided has been excellent and i really couldn't ask for more before employing them formally. but obviously have a bit of reluctance to part with cash if this issue over trade recognition can't be resolved. obviously the hope is the agent will have some answers as well, the fear is they won't. I understand I can't expect them to keep providing free advice. guess I'm at the bite the bullet stage but i like to make decisions based on a full understanding of where I stand and my prospects of success. Just wish there was more readily available information or official bodies could answer questions, often you find yourself being passed from one organization to another in a circle asking the same questions and getting nowhere.
