Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic - Assessment Information Sheet

To have your skills and qualifications assessed to Australian standards you will need to go through the following steps:

  1. Assessment procedure
    1a. Applying through VETASSESS
    1b. Applying through Trades Recognition Australia 
  2. Send in your application form 
  3. Checklist

1. Assessment procedure

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has nominated two different assessing authorities, which you should apply to depending upon the country you are living in.

For people living in the following countries, VETASSESS is the assessing authority for the occupation of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic:

  • India
  • Sri Lanka
  • United Kingdom
  • South Africa
  • Philippines

For people living in all other countries, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing authority for the occupation of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic.

1a. Applying through VETASSESS

If you are successful, VETASSESS will issue you with a pre-migration skills assessment, and also an Offshore Technical Skills Record. This will allow you to gain provisional licensing to work as a Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic in Victoria, and will also provide information on any required bridging training.

The VETASSESS assessment has three stages:

  • self-assessment, via an online tool on the VETASSESS website
  • competency profile, a paper-based assessment reviewing qualifications and work experience
  • skills assessment, a technical interview and practical assessment.

For further information on VETASSESS skills assessment requirements, please contact:

VETASSESS

Qualification Assessment Services
GPO Box 2752, Melbourne
VIC, 3001, AUS
Tel: +61 3 9655 4801
Fax: +61 3 9654 2773
Email: migrate@vetassess.com.au
Website: www.skillassess.com.au

Supporting documents

As part of your skills assessment you will also be required to provide supporting documentation. The required documents will be listed on the assessment application form and include:

  • certified copy of your qualification
  • certified transcript of marks
  • certified copy of your birth certificate, or relevant pages from your passport showing name and date of birth.

All documentation must be certified true copies. Note that the name, status and address of the person certifying the copy must be clearly evident. Wherever possible, an official stamp should accompany their signature.

Make sure you keep a copy of these documents for your personal records as you may need them for employment purposes.

1b. Applying through Trades Recognition Australia

If you are successful, TRA will issue you with a pre-migration skills assessment. In conducting an assessment, TRA consider the following factors:

  • formal training and experience, or
  • solely on-the-job experience
  • skills, knowledge and experience equivalent to an Australian trained tradesperson.

For further information on TRA pre-migration skills assessment requirements, please contact:

Trades Recognition Australia

GPO Box 9879, Canberra
ACT, 2601, AUS
Tel: +61 2 6121 7456
Fax: +61 2 6121 7768
Email: traenquiries@deewr.gov.au
Website: www.workplace.gov.au/tra

Supporting documents

As part of your TRA trade skills assessment you will also be required to provide supporting documentation. The required documents are listed on the assessment application form and include:

  • evidence of completing a trade or trade related course
  • statements from employers.

All documentation must be certified true copies. Note that the name, status and address of the person certifying the copy must be clearly evident. Wherever possible, an official stamp should accompany their signature.

Make sure you keep a copy of these documents for your personal records as you may need them for employment purposes.

2. Send in your application form

Send your application form to the relevant assessing authority with the required documentation and assessment fee.

Once your application, supporting documents and assessment fees have been received the assessment process can commence.

The assessing authority will then send you a written statement indicating that your skills either meet or do not meet the Australian requirements to migrate as a Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic. If your assessment advises that you meet the requirements, you can submit this statement with your DIAC visa application.

3. Checklist

  • Visit the DIAC website to obtain comprehensive information about the Australian government requirements for migrating to Australia. Read through DIAC Booklet 6 - General Skilled Migration.
  • Check DIAC’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for your occupation and please note the ASCO code and assessing authority.
  • Visit the website of the relevant assessing authority and carefully read through the introductory information before completing your application form.
  • Get certified copies of all your trade certificates, employer statements and any other required documentation. Make sure each document is certified separately.
  • Send in your application form, support documents and assessment fee to the assessing authority.
  • When you apply to DIAC for your Skilled Migrant visa, include your statement from the relevant assessing authority, along with other required documentation.

Last updated: 22 January 2009

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State Government of Victoria