Job Ready
for PR
Achieve skills assessment faster through trades or technical qualifications.
WITH THE RIGHT TRAINING TO AUSTRALIAN PR
Australia has been experiencing a skills shortage for many years, particularly in trades and technical occupations. For this reason, the government is not only focused on attracting already-experienced professionals, but is also intentionally opening pathways via vocational training programs for international students.
What makes this especially attractive: Not only long university degrees, but even two-year vocational qualifications in an occupation listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation Lists can provide a pathway into longer-term visas.
Graduates who successfully complete their qualification can then use the Temporary Graduate Visa to gain initial practical work experience in Australia — an essential requirement for later skills recognition and access to the highly sought-after skilled visas. Under favourable circumstances, this can open a pathway to Permanent Residency after only a few years.
Migration Pathway in 3 steps:
Student Visa
Minimum 2-year course or training program, with work rights during the study period.
Job Ready Program
Participation in the workplace-based skills recognition process, including practical experience.
Skilled Visa
PR access via the General Skilled Migration Program or Employer Sponsorship.
Important Note:
The goal of obtaining Permanent Residency should never be the only motivation for choosing a course or a training program in Australia. What truly matters is having a genuine interest in the field of study — only then can the qualification be completed successfully and become the foundation for a sustainable career and long-term life in Australia.
MIGRATION PATHWAY: STEP BY STEP
Step 1: Choosing the Right Qualification
Anyone aiming to obtain Permanent Residency through an Australian vocational qualification should choose their course strategically. The crucial factor is that the qualification must lead to an occupation listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists. Only occupations on these lists provide access to skilled visas later on. Trades occupations — which have been consistently listed for many years — offer particularly strong long-term prospects.
An Australian vocational qualification always includes both classroom-based theory and practical components. These practical components are completed as Vocational Placements, meaning supervised workplace training that often forms part of the normal study schedule. To undertake such a program, students require a Student Visa (Subclass 500).
Example training areas:
Choosing the right course is important — but choosing the right training provider is just as essential. Not every course automatically provides access to the Job Ready Program, which is a mandatory step for later skills recognition. Only courses and providers that are formally approved by Trade Recognition Australia (TRA) can lead into the program.
Additionally, not all providers guarantee a vocational placement. In many cases, students must secure their own placement — which carries uncertainty and risks, especially for international students. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to choose a provider that offers a guaranteed and officially recognised placement. Without a vocational placement, completing the Job Ready Program — and therefore accessing a skilled work visa — is not possible.
Which qualification is suitable?
Step 2: Job Ready Program
After completing a vocational qualification of at least two years, the next step towards Permanent Residency is participation in the Job Ready Program (JRP), administered by Trade Recognition Australia (TRA). This program enables international graduates to demonstrate their practical skills in their nominated occupation and obtain an official Skills Assessment, which is essential for skilled visa applications.
Structure of the Job Ready Program
Provisional Skills Assessment
The first step in the Job Ready Program is the Provisional Skills Assessment. This assessment checks whether the completed Australian vocational qualification meets the required standards and whether the necessary English language skills are in place.
In addition, evidence must be provided for the vocational placements completed during the course or any other work experience undertaken as part of the study program. Only once this assessment has been successfully completed can graduates apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows graduates to commence full-time employment in their nominated occupation and forms the basis for the remaining stages of the program.
Job Ready Employment and Workplace Assessment
After around six months of practical work experience, the Workplace Assessment takes place. This assessment evaluates whether the skills and knowledge gained on the job meet the required Australian standards.
A TRA assessor visits the workplace in person. They observe daily tasks, request demonstrations of specific duties and usually conduct a technical discussion. The aim is to ensure that the knowledge acquired is not only theoretical but can also be applied in practice.
The assessment is planned in advance together with the participant and the employer. Both parties receive a schedule outlining how the assessment will be carried out and what will be reviewed. Once completed, TRA notifies the participant of the result by email. If the assessment is successful, participants can proceed to the Final Assessment. If it is not yet sufficient, TRA issues a report with specific feedback and the opportunity to repeat the assessment.
Job Ready Final Assessment
The Final Assessment is the last stage of the Job Ready Program – and it is not an additional test. It is a purely document-based process in which TRA reviews the submitted evidence of completed work experience. A successful Workplace Assessment and at least twelve months of paid full-time (or equivalent part-time) employment with a TRA-approved employer are required.
TRA formally invites applicants to submit their documents, which are uploaded online. After processing, applicants receive the official Outcome Letter, which also serves as the formal Skills Assessment. This enables graduates to proceed with the General Skilled Migration pathway.
Step 3: Skilled Visa towards Permanent Residency
After completing a vocational qualification and receiving a positive Skills Assessment through the Job Ready Program, the pathway to Permanent Residency is within reach. The points-tested visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program offer particularly strong opportunities. A completed Skills Assessment is a fundamental requirement – and graduates of an Australian qualification hold significant advantages in the points test due to their local qualification and work experience.
Advantages in the Points Test
- additional points for an Australian qualification,
- additional points for at least 16 months of study or vocational training in Australia,
- additional points for skilled work experience gained in Australia,
- additional points for studying outside the major metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and
- often improved English test results, supported by the academic and practical experience gained during the qualification.
Alternative Visa Pathways
Beyond points-tested visas, employer-sponsored visas can also offer a pathway to Permanent Residency. These usually begin as temporary employer-sponsored visas tied to a specific employer. After a qualifying period, these visas commonly allow a transition to permanent residence.
Strong opportunities arise with employers you have built connections with during your Student Visa or Graduate Visa – for example through placements, casual work or your vocational placement. Even the host employer from your Job Ready Program may act as a sponsor, as they have first-hand knowledge of your skills and reliability. This significantly increases your chances of sponsorship compared to applying from overseas.
Your Pathway to PR
A vocational qualification in Australia can be a strong stepping stone towards Permanent Residency – offering excellent opportunities but also certain pitfalls. The key is selecting the right qualification and aligning it strategically with the appropriate visa pathways from the outset. This is where Visapath excels: we combine education and migration expertise to create the best pathway for your individual situation.
Interested in studying in Australia?
More information on selected fields of study, including course options, content and locations.
Hospitality, Tourism and Events
From Hospitality Management to Event Organisation, you’ll find programs ranging from six months to two years.
Engineering, Trades and Construction
Trade qualifications and practically oriented programs in construction, building design and related areas offer a variety of pathways.
Health and Community Services
From social work and youth work to health and nursing-related programs, there is a wide range of courses with different areas of focus.
Teaching and Education
If you enjoy working with children and young people, there are multiple programs in early childhood education and teaching.
Business, Marketing and Accounting
Options range from short six-month upskilling programs in business to Advanced Diplomas in management, leadership or HR.
Creative Arts and Media
A broad selection of creative programs, from photography and photo editing to graphic design and media production.
Information Technology
From programming to software development, the range of courses is extensive and offers training aligned with the latest technology standards.
Design
Let your creativity unfold with programs in fashion design, interior design or interior decoration.
Beauty, Wellness and Sport
From Beauty Therapy to Make-Up, through to hairdressing and barbering qualifications, there is a wide range of options available in this field.
Environment and Agriculture
A diverse selection of programs in environmental studies, horticulture or agriculture, with varying course durations.