Get Your Trade Qualification Recognised — Efficient, Fair, and Fully Supported

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process that assesses your existing skills and knowledge against national competency standards. If you’ve been working in a trade for years, RPL allows you to gain a formal qualification without going back to TAFE. We review your work history, references, and evidence to determine your competency level.

Most assessments are completed within 2-4 weeks from when we receive all your documentation. The exact timeframe depends on the complexity of your trade area and how quickly you can gather your evidence. We work with you to make the process as efficient as possible.

Typical evidence includes documents that show your time working in the trade, the employers you have worked for, and proof that you received payment for your work. It should also include workplace evidence that demonstrates the application of your skills and knowledge in a real, functioning work environment, such as photos, videos, licences, tickets, training records, and a detailed resume.

Yes, absolutely. Trade Skills Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 45637) authorised to issue nationally recognised qualifications. Your certificate will be valid across all Australian states and territories and recognised by employers nationwide.

Yes, we offer flexible payment options to suit your budget. You can pay in instalments as you progress through the assessment process. We’ll discuss the best payment arrangement for your situation during your initial consultation.

Yes – in many cases, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can form part of the requirements for skilled migration, employer-sponsored visas, and TRA skills assessments.

Many visa pathways require applicants to hold a formal Australian qualification and/or complete a skills assessment through Trade Recognition Australia (TRA). Our RPL process is designed to help eligible candidates obtain an Australian qualification based on their existing skills and work experience, which may then be used as part of their migration or skills assessment pathway.

We work closely with migration agents and have helped hundreds of international candidates gain the qualifications needed to support their visa and migration applications. However, visa and migration requirements vary depending on your occupation, visa type, and individual circumstances, so obtaining an RPL qualification does not automatically guarantee a positive skills assessment or visa outcome.

Traditional trade qualifications are usually completed through an apprenticeship or formal training pathway, which involves structured training, workplace supervision, and competency-based assessments over several years.

RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is different. Instead of completing training from the beginning, RPL assesses the skills, knowledge, and experience you have already gained through working in your trade. If you can provide sufficient evidence and demonstrate competency to Australian industry standards, you may be able to achieve a qualification without undertaking a full apprenticeship or classroom-based course.

For experienced workers, RPL is often significantly faster and more cost-effective than completing a traditional training pathway. Most RPL assessments can be completed within weeks rather than years, without needing to stop working or attend regular classes.

Yes. We regularly assess tradespeople who trained and worked overseas. Your international work experience counts — we assess your practical skills against Australian national competency standards, regardless of where you gained them. This is particularly relevant for skilled migration visa applicants who need Australian recognition of their trade qualifications.

If our assessment identifies gaps in your skills, knowledge, or evidence, it doesn’t automatically mean you fail. In many cases, candidates are given the opportunity to complete challenge tests or provide additional evidence to demonstrate competency in the identified gap areas.

Once completed, you will be reassessed against the outstanding requirements. If competency is demonstrated successfully, you may then be issued the full qualification.
If you are not yet able to demonstrate competency in all required units, you may be issued a Statement of Attainment for the units you have achieved. You can then undertake further formal or informal training, gain additional workplace experience, and return for reassessment when you are ready.