Trades Recognition Australia

TRA does not publish one fees page. Each program page on tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au states its own cost and current processing time, and the figures below were read from those pages on 25 September 2026.

The Temporary Skills Shortage and Offshore programs are charged in stages through the RTO. Pathway 1 is $1,120 for documentary evidence, $2,000 for the technical interview and $2,200 for a practical assessment where one is required, up to $5,320 in total; Pathway 2 is $1,120 for documentary evidence and $900 for the technical interview, $2,020 in total. The Job Ready Program is paid at the start of each step: $490 for Job Ready Employment, $2,845 for the Job Ready Workplace Assessment and $75 for the Job Ready Final Assessment, and the total rises if more than one workplace assessment is needed. TRA publishes its average processing times monthly; as of July 2026 they were tracking at the indicative times shown above.

Which program applies to you

The program is determined by your occupation, your passport and the visa you are pursuing. Licensed trades seeking permanent residence must use the Offshore Skills Assessment Program. Skills in Demand (subclass 482) electricians must use the Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment Program. Subclass 485 graduates start with the Provisional Skills Assessment and progress to the Job Ready Program. Applicants in occupations and countries not routed to those programs use the Migration Skills Assessment. The Migration Points Advice Program follows a successful assessment for points-tested visas.

The six TRA skills assessment programs

Migration Skills Assessment Program (MSA). A documentary assessment of qualifications and employment against Australian standards. The fee is $795 and processing takes approximately 120 days. It is not available to applicants from a country of passport or in an occupation that TRA routes to the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, and an unsuccessful outcome requires a fresh application and the full fee again. Read the MSA guide.

Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP). A skills assessment carried out by a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation for applicants in listed occupations from listed countries, and compulsory for the four licensed trades seeking permanent residence. Processing takes approximately 15 weeks after complete documentary evidence. Pathway 2 costs $2,020 where a relevant Australian VET qualification or unrestricted licence exists; Pathway 1 reaches $5,320 where a practical assessment is required. Read the OSAP guide.

Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment Program (TSS). The program for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, compulsory for 482 applications as Electrician (General) or Electrician (Special Class). Processing takes approximately 9 weeks after complete documentary evidence. Pathway 2 costs $2,020 and Pathway 1 reaches $5,320. Reassessment must be requested within 12 months of the original outcome letter. Read the TSS guide.

Job Ready Program (JRP). A minimum 12-month employment-based assessment for international graduates of an Australian VET course who are working in Australia. Fees total $3,410 across three steps. A successful Provisional Skills Assessment within the last 3 years is a compulsory prerequisite, and the 12 months of employment must be completed with a TRA-approved employer within 3 years of starting. Electricians are not eligible. Read the JRP guide.

Provisional Skills Assessment Program (PSA). The first step for recent graduates applying for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, and the compulsory prerequisite for the Job Ready Program. The fee is $130 and processing takes about 12 weeks. The outcome is valid for 3 years. Read the PSA guide.

Migration Points Advice Program (MPA). For applicants who already hold a successful TRA outcome and are applying for a points-tested independent skilled migration visa. The fee is $450 and processing takes approximately 120 days. The advice states how qualifications and employment compare against Australian standards; the Department of Home Affairs determines the points. Read the MPA guide.

A skills assessment supports skilled migration visas including the subclass 189, subclass 190 and subclass 491, the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).