JRP FAQs

To support a fair process for all applicants, Provisional Skills Assessment applications are processed in order of receipt of the PSA Summary Page and supporting documents.

Whilst TRA will endeavour to process PSA applications within 90 working days, assessment processing times can vary and are contingent on the volume of applications received, as well as the complexity of the verification process in each case.

You can apply for a Provisional Skills Assessment and if successful, apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a 485 visa.

No, you must have completed your studies before you apply for a Provisional Skills Assessment which is the first step of the Job Ready Program.

TRA requires evidence that you have undertaken work relevant to your nominated occupation, in an established commercial operation in Australia using current industry standard equipment and industry endorsed processes. The evidence you supply will need to show that you have demonstrated skills in a range of tasks and duties required for your occupation.

Your work and/or vocational placement should total a minimum of 360 hours.

No. Only work performed in Australia and relevant to the occupation will be counted in this program.

Please refer to sections 2.1.3 of the Job Ready Program Guidelines.

No, Job Ready Program participants should make all payments using the credit card payment facility within the Job Ready Program component of the TRA Online portal. This payment facility links all required payment information directly to your TRA application.

No. From 16 January 2015 an IELTS test result is no longer an eligibility requirement for a Provisional Skills Assessment.

If you have forgotten your password for the online portal, please follow these instructions. Go to the online portal registration page, select Click here if you have forgotten your password. By answering the three security questions you selected when first registering for the JRP, you will be able to reset your password and log in using your username.

If you have been locked out of your online account, are unable to reset your password or have forgotten your username, you must complete the Job Ready Program Password Re-set/Username Form.

After completing the form, print, sign and scan the document. The request needs to be emailed as a PDF attachment to traenquiries@dese.gov.au 

Confirmation of the signature on the request against the signature on the JRP application form is required before the request can be processed. If the request is not signed it will not be actioned.

If you have not previously submitted any supporting documentation with evidence of your signature you will also need to provide a copy of your passport and/or driver’s licence with this form.

TRA IT will contact you directly when your issue has been resolved. We cannot provide a timeframe as to when the account will be unlocked and re-set.

If you have submitted your application online but did not print the Summary Page, you can reprint one from the Online Application Tracking portal.

When you have signed in with your Username and Password, select the Job Ready Program link in the Toolbar at the top of the page. This should bring up your information and links to the available Job Ready Program steps. Select the link for the step for which you submitted your application and the appropriate summary page will be displayed containing a print button. It is important you use this print button rather than the printer icon on the toolbar, to ensure you print an application Summary Page acceptable to TRA.

You can withdraw your application by sending TRA a signed request. Refunds will only be approved in limited circumstances. Please see the TRA Payment and Refund Policy. Requests for refunds must be made using the correct form and sent to JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au .

If you are required to reapply for a Provisional Skills Assessment, you will need to register again as a new user. When registering through the Job Ready Program Registration online portal, sign in with a new username and password. Do not tick that you have a previous TRA Application File Number.

If you have previously applied for a Provisional Skills Assessment and were unsuccessful, you may choose to seek a review of your assessment outcome using the form included with your outcome letter. Your review application must be received by TRA within 45 days of the date of your outcome letter.

Payment for the review can be made using your Online Portal account. An additional link "Provisional Skills Assessment Review Payment" will be activated within your online portal account to make this payment.

If you are lodging a review application, TRA will only consider the documents you provided in your original application (no new evidence will be considered).

Please note you can choose to submit a new application, with additional documents and evidence, at any time instead of applying for a review.

If you choose to submit a new application, you should note the following information:

• You are required to register as a NEW USER on the TRA Online Portal establishing a new username and password. This will generate a new TRA Reference Number.
• The new application must be 'decision ready' for assessment. You must include all of the required supporting evidence in relation to the new application. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is correct, accurate and complete before you submit it to TRA.

Before submitting your application, you should check your eligibility by reading the information about the Job Ready Program.​

A Provisional Skills Assessment requires applicants to have a qualification relevant to an occupation assessed by TRA which has been awarded by an Australian CRICOS registered training organisation based on studies in Australia. Generally, the qualification will be at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III level.

Some occupations require a qualification different to that of an AQF Certificate III and the most common of these, and the required qualification level are listed below. If you have completed another qualification, or a combination of qualifications, you need to ensure you have completed all the units of competency in a relevant qualification at the level listed for your occupation.

More information on Australian training packages and qualifications can be found at www.training.gov.au  

No. The Job Ready Program is for international student graduates who have completed their qualifications/s through a CRICOS Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

TRA may consider a small component of RPL (2-4 units) within a qualification only where the student's skills and/or knowledge being assessed were achieved in Australia. Qualifications containing 2-4 units by RPL must be supported by a letter from the RTO stating that the prior learning assessment covered skills and knowledge achieved by the student in Australia only.

You can print a Review Request Form, here.

No.

To be eligible for the JRE you must have the following:

• a successful PSA outcome
• hold or have lodged an application with the Department of Home Affairs for a visa that has full (unrestricted) work rights and is valid for no less than 12 months
• secured eligible employment in your nominated occupations (see Section 2.2 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines)
• less than 4 months remaining on your student visa.

Important: Please note: A student visa with more than 4 months remaining, or a training visa, are not accepted visas for this program.

Yes.

You will be required to provide details of your visa when you apply for the Job Ready Employment step on the online portal and a copy of your Visa Grant Notice with your application documents. See Section 2.2 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines.

No.

Step 2 and Step 3 (Job Ready Workplace Assessment) of the JRP are employment based and require regular contact between TRA and the JRE applicant. TRA will only communicate directly with the JRE applicant.

A migration agent or representative can act on behalf of an applicant in Step 1 - Provisional Skills Assessment or Step 4- Job Ready Final Assessment.

To support a fair process, TRA processes JRE applications in order of receipt. At this stage, please allow at least six (6) weeks for your documents to be processed.

You will be allocated to a TRA Liaison Officer who will email you with confirmation about your registration, your workplace, your JRE start date and generally assist you through the remainder of the program.

Please note that TRA is unable to respond to or provide status updates to email enquiries or call back requests relating to the status of your application.

Yes.

Your employer must be prepared to agree to the JRP requirements listed in the Employment Registration Form (ERF).You must be working with the employer when you complete the ERF in the online portal.

Yes.

You can claim up to three consecutive months of paid employment that was undertaken immediately prior to applying online for JRE. The employment must have been undertaken with the first employer registered by TRA for JRE.

As from 10 July 2019, new JRE applicants claim prior employment as part of the online JRE application process. They must complete the prior employment section of their JRE application and provide TRA with acceptable pay evidence for the period being claimed. No additional documentation or clarification will be requested or accepted.

You are not able to claim for prior employment at any other time.

Yes.

If you applied for the JRE before 10 July 2019, you can claim up to three consecutive months of paid employment that was undertaken immediately prior to applying online for JRE. The employment must have been undertaken with the first employer registered by TRA for JRE.

You need to email TRA at JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au and request a Prior Employment Claim form.

The Job Ready Program requires participants to be supervised by a qualified tradesperson in an Australian workplace. Self-employment arrangements cannot be considered for the Job Ready Program.

TRA may consider subcontractor work if the nominated occupation on the Employment Registration Form satisfies eligibility requirements under Section 2.2 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines. You must be able to complete at least 863 hours of your work with a single contractor who is willing to sign your Quarterly Progress Report as if they were your supervisor.

Yes, but cannot exceed five employers, and at least 863 paid work hours must be completed with the one employer.

You must submit any new or additional employment details through the online portal as soon as possible after you start work with that employer. You do this by selecting Add New Employer under the Job Ready Employment link and completing an Employment Registration Form. Your employment hours will be calculated from the online submission date.

You must also complete an Employment Verification Report (EVR) for each new or additional employer. EVRs can be accessed from here.

No. All employment under the Job Ready Program must be undertaken within Australia.

TRA cannot assist you with finding employment. You may like to try employment vacancies in newspapers, online job searches or you can approach an employer directly.

No. Your 12 months employment under the Job Ready Program must be paid. Voluntary experience will not be counted.

No. You only need to pay the Job Ready Employment fee for your first employer.

To support a fair process, TRA processes documentation in order of receipt. At this stage, please allow at least six (6) weeks for your documents to be processed.

Your work hours will be added to the online portal Total Approved Hours table if your pay evidence and Quarterly Progress Report or Employment Verification Report are accepted by TRA.

If you have claimed prior employment, the approved work hours will be added to the Quarter 1 in the Total Approved Hours table if your employment arrangements are approved by TRA.

TRA is unable to respond to or provide status updates to email enquiries or call back requests relating to your hours being updated in the online portal. You will be contacted if any additional information or clarification is required.

Your TRA LO will calculate your hours based on the hours you have worked, as shown in your pay evidence. Public holidays, annual leave and sick leave are not included in the reconciliation process.

In addition, hours are not added to the online portal where a corresponding Quarterly Progress Report or Employment Verification Report covering this period has not been received and validated. Your TRA LO will contact you if this occurs.

To support a fair process, TRA process documentation in order of receipt. At this stage, please allow at least six (6) weeks for your documents to be processed.

Your JRE start date will be amended in the online portal if your employment arrangements are approved by TRA and the prior employment claim is accepted. TRA will notify you if your claim is not accepted. (See section 2.2.11 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines for employment verification).

TRA is unable to respond to or provide status updates to email enquiries or call back requests relating to your JRE start being updated in the online portal. You will be contacted if any additional information or clarification is required.

Your employer would be expected to pay you the appropriate award wage for your trade according to the award for your particular industry and occupation. More information on industry awards under the national workplace relations system is available here.

No, but TRA may visit your workplace to determine if your employment is suitable for the JRE.

It is a legal requirement that all employers in Australia provide their employees with payslips.

No

You are required to complete at least 1725 hours of approved paid employment over a minimum of 12 months. Please note that annual leave or sick leave are not counted as work hours.

A Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) is a record of the skills and activities you have undertaken in your workplace as you develop your skills in your occupation.

A QPR will be emailed to you every three months, or as required, until you have achieved a successful Job Ready Workplace Assessment.

The QPR must be completed and signed by the supervisor or employer recorded in your ERF for that workplace.

Completed QPRs will be provided to the TRA-appointed workplace assessor to guide the planning of your JRWA. Therefore, it is important that QPRs are an accurate record of the work you undertake in your workplace

Yes

You should send an email to JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au letting your TRA LO know the dates you will be away from work. Please include your TRA number and full name in the subject line of the email.

You should email your TRA Liaison Officer at JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au to check that you have completed all the program requirements. Please include your TRA number and full name in the subject line of the email.

In order to complete the JRP, you must have:

• completed a minimum of 1725 hours of paid work over a minimum 12 month period from your JRE start date
• provided TRA with Quarterly Progress Reports covering a minimum of six months, and
• achieved a successful Job Ready Workplace Assessment.

Please read section 2.4 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines.

Your employer will need to:

• provide you with the appropriate tasks and duties to enable the you to demonstrate a broad range of skills in the nominated occupation
• nominate an appropriately skilled supervisor, if your employer will not be supervising your work
• sign the Employment Registration Form
• complete and sign an Employment Verification Report
• complete and sign your Quarterly Progress Reports
• allow an independent TRA-approved assessor to undertake your Job Ready Workplace Assessment in the workplace.

If you have forgotten your password for the online portal, please follow these instructions. Go to the online portal registration page, select Click here if you have forgotten your password. By answering the three security questions you selected when first registering for the JRP, you will be able to reset your password and log in using your username.

If you have been locked out of your online account, are unable to reset your password or have forgotten your username, you must complete the Job Ready Program Password Re-set/Username Form.

After completing the form, print, sign and scan the document. The request needs to be emailed as a PDF attachment to traenquiries@dese.gov.au 

Confirmation of the signature on the request against the signature on the JRP application form is required before the request can be processed. If the request is not signed it will not be actioned.

If you have not previously submitted any supporting documentation with evidence of your signature you will also need to provide a copy of your passport and/or driver’s licence with this form.

TRA IT will contact you directly when your issue has been resolved. We cannot provide a timeframe as to when the account will be unlocked and re-set.

A Job Ready Workplace Assessment determines whether you are operating at the required skill level for the occupation nominated in your Employment Registration Form. An assessor from a TRA‐approved RTO will come out to your workplace to observe the work duties you undertake and speak with you about the work duties and tasks recorded in your Quarterly Progress Reports.

A JRWA can take place once you have been in employment (approved by TRA as suitable for JRE) for a minimum of six months.

To be eligible for a Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) you must have provided TRA with the following:

• acceptable pay evidence (see section 2.2.11 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines) to substantiate you have been in paid employment for at least 863 hours over a minimum of six months
• acceptable Quarterly Progress Reports and Employment Verification Reports covering a minimum of six months of employment.

You must also be actively in paid work for at least one month with the employer who signs your JRWA Summary Page. The employer must be registered and verified by TRA, before your JRWA takes place.

You should email your TRA Liaison Officer at JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au before applying for a JRWA to confirm you are eligible to apply.

Following advice that you are eligible for a JRWA, you will need to sign into the online portal with your username and password. You should then select the Job Ready Workplace Assessment link, complete the Job Ready Workplace Assessment Summary Page and pay the $2,000 application fee.

If you have a new employer, TRA must validate the employment arrangements before your workplace assessment can take place. If you have not already done so, you must submit the employment details through the online portal.

You do this by selecting Add New Employer under the Job Ready Employment (JRE) link and completing an Employment Registration Form. There is no application fee payable to register additional employers for JRE.

You must also complete an Employment Verification Report (EVR). EVRs can be accessed from here. Please select the form relevant to your occupation.

You must have worked with the new employer for a minimum of one month before being able to undertake a workplace assessment. Your TRA LO will then let you know when you can apply for your workplace assessment.

You should email your TRA Liaison Officer at JRPenquiries@dese.gov.au to check that you have completed all the program requirements. Please include your TRA number and full name in the subject line of the email.

In order to complete the JRP, you must have:

• completed a minimum of 1725 hours of approved paid work over a minimum 12 month period from your JRE start date
• provided TRA with Quarterly Progress Reports and Employment Verification Reports covering a minimum of six months, and
• achieved a successful Job Ready Workplace Assessment.

Following advice that you are eligible for a JRFA, you will need to sign into the online portal with your username and password. You should then select the Job Ready Final Assessment link, complete the Job Ready Final Assessment Summary Page and pay the $150 application fee.

Please read section 2.4 of the JRP Applicant Guidelines.

A TRA Job Ready Program (JRP) successful outcome letter can be used to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a permanent independent skilled migration visa.

The TRA JRP outcome letter is not a qualification nor does it represent formal accreditation of your skills and experience.