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Offshore Skills Assessment

The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is for applicants applying for a skilled migration visa (excluding 485 or TSS visas). This assessment is compulsory for applicants from the nominated countries, Special Administrative Regions (SARs) and occupations listed in the table below. It is also compulsory for applicants in the following licensed occupations regardless of their country of origin:

  • Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic,
  • Electrician (General),
  • Electrician (Special Class),
  • Plumber (General).

Applicants for the OSAP are required to travel to an assessment centre in Australia or in a nominated country in the table listed below.

The OSAP is also available for applicants choosing to undertake a skills assessment in a non-licenced nominated occupation who can travel to Australia or a nominated country for a skills assessment.

It is essential that you read the program guidelines for detailed information on the OSAP including eligibility requirements. These are located here.

Please Note: It is your responsibility to confirm with the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) that your visa pathway requires a skills assessment, and that TRA is the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation, before commencing an application.

Click here for nominated occupations and countries

How to Apply

There are two skills assessment pathways available under OSAP:

Pathway 1 is for applicants who do not hold an Australian qualification in their trade. Skills assessments are conducted against the requirements of the relevant training package qualification for the nominated occupation. The Pathway 1 assessment process consists of four steps that must be completed sequentially.

Pathway 2 is for applicants who hold a:

  • relevant Australian qualification; or

  • current identified Australian occupational licence.*

In addition to your qualification, you must be able to demonstrate work experience of at least three years full-time employment in a directly related occupation. This must include 12 months full-time paid employment in your nominated occupation in the three years prior to lodging your application. For applicants applying with a current identified Australian occupational licence, the 12 months full-time paid employment must be in Australia.

*a current, identified Australian occupational licence is a registration certificate or other form of authorisation required under law to perform work that has been issued by the appropriate Australian licensing authority and is relevant to the nominated occupation.

If you are applying for a skills assessment under the OSAP, please read the Applicant Guidelines before proceeding.