Carpenters, bricklayers, solid plasterers and tilers appear again and again on Australia’s national skilled occupation lists. That is a sign of ongoing, structural demand, not a short-term trend — Australia’s housing and construction sector has needed skilled trades workers for years, and Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), the government’s skills assessing authority for these trades, regularly runs measures to speed up processing for construction occupations.
This guide explains the parts of the process that stay the same from year to year: what a skills assessment is, how TRA’s programs work, what documents you need, how long an assessment lasts, and which visas are open to non-licensed construction trades. Where a number changes each program year — like state quotas or a specific processing window — we’ve flagged it clearly in a “current settings” box, so you know exactly what to double-check before you rely on it.
What is a construction trade skills assessment?
A skills assessment checks that your trade qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. You generally need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas, and for points-tested visas you usually need one before you can even submit your Expression of Interest.
For construction trades, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the assessing authority. TRA checks your qualifications and experience against the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) for your nominated occupation. This ANZSCO-based structure is a long-standing feature of the system and does not change often, even as individual visa rules move around it.
“Non-licensed” construction trades are trades where you do not usually need an individual state trade licence to work as an employee. This is different to trades like electricians, plumbers and gasfitters, who must hold a state occupational licence before they can legally carry out that work. Carpenters, bricklayers, solid plasterers, wall and floor tilers and roof tilers are examples of non-licensed construction trades. Licensing rules can still apply if you run your own building business, so always confirm the current rules with the relevant state building or trades licensing regulator.
Which non-licensed construction trades have a clear pathway?
The table below shows five common non-licensed construction trades and their ANZSCO code and assessing authority. ANZSCO codes are a stable reference point — they rarely change — even though which specific occupation list an occupation sits on can shift between program years.
| Occupation | ANZSCO code | Occupation list | Assessing authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | 331212 | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | TRA |
| Bricklayer | 331111 | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | TRA |
| Solid Plasterer (Renderer) | 333212 | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | TRA |
| Wall and Floor Tiler | 333411 | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | TRA |
| Roof Tiler | 333311 | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | TRA |
All five occupations above are listed on the Core Skills Occupation List.
They may also appear on other skilled occupation lists used for points-tested and state-nominated visas. Always check the current legislative instrument on the Home Affairs skilled occupation list page for your specific visa before you rely on this table — occupation lists are reviewed and can change.
So what does this mean for you? If you work in one of these trades, your occupation already has a recognised assessing authority and a track record on Australia’s national occupation lists — two of the lasting building blocks you need for a skilled visa, regardless of which program year you apply in.
Step by step: how the skills assessment process works
The steps below are structural — they describe how the system works, not what it currently costs or how long it currently takes, both of which you should check on the TRA website when you’re ready to apply.
Step 1: Confirm your occupation and ANZSCO code
Match your day-to-day duties to an ANZSCO occupation description, not just a job title. This is the occupation you will be assessed against, so it needs to genuinely reflect your work.
Step 2: Work out which TRA program fits your situation
TRA runs several programs, and the right one depends on your visa, your passport country, and where you gained your qualification.
- Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) — for eligible graduates before they apply for the Job Ready Program.
- Job Ready Program (JRP) — for eligible international graduates in Australia with an Australian trade or associate professional qualification from a Registered Training Organisation.
- TSS Skills Assessment Program — for applicants applying for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa in a nominated occupation.
- Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) — the standard pathway for most other skilled migration visa applicants.
- Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) — a streamlined program TRA has made available for some applicants.
- Migration Points Advice — used by Home Affairs to work out your points test score in some circumstances.
The Offshore Skills Assessment Program’s experience requirements are a good example of a structural rule that has stayed consistent, and are useful to understand even if you end up applying through a different program:
| If you have… | OSAP experience needed |
|---|---|
| No formal qualification | 6 years of full-time paid employment (or equivalent part-time) in the nominated occupation |
| An overseas qualification directly related to the occupation | 4 years of full-time paid employment (or equivalent part-time) in the nominated occupation |
| An Australian qualification directly related to the occupation | 3 years of full-time paid employment, including 12 months in the last 3 years |
| An occupational licence required by law for the work (where applicable) | 12 months of full-time paid employment in Australia in the last 3 years |
Source: TRA, Skills Assessment eligibility tool
Step 3: Gather your evidence
You will typically need proof of identity, evidence of your qualification (certificates, transcripts, completion letters), and detailed employer reference letters describing your actual trade duties, dates and hours worked. TRA requires complete, decision-ready applications, so incomplete evidence can lead to refusal rather than a simple request for more information.
Step 4: Submit and wait for an outcome
Applications for TRA’s in-house programs are submitted through the TRA Online Portal.
Processing times move around depending on demand and any current prioritisation arrangements, so check the current times on the TRA website rather than relying on a figure from an old article — including this one.
Step 5: Use your outcome before it expires
A positive TRA skills assessment is generally valid for 3 years from the date of issue, and for relevant skilled visa applications it must be no older than 3 years when you lodge. A Provisional Skills Assessment outcome is also valid for 3 years, and you must apply for the Job Ready Program within that period.
So what does this mean for you? Once you understand this five-step structure, you can apply it every time you check your options in future — even after occupation lists, quotas and processing times have moved on.
TRA cannot advise you on visa eligibility. Always confirm your visa requirements with Home Affairs, or with a registered migration agent, before you apply for a skills assessment.
State nomination: a recurring pathway for construction trades
Several states run dedicated or fast-tracked nomination arrangements for building and construction workers, on top of their general skilled and offshore pathways. Queensland’s approach is a useful example of how these pathways are usually structured, even though the exact quotas and thresholds are reset each program year.
Under Queensland’s approach, Migration Queensland will generally seek to nominate eligible building and construction workers for the subclass 190 visa, and will consider the subclass 491 visa where an occupation sits only on the Home Affairs Regional Occupation List, or where an applicant cannot reach the points test pass mark through a 190 nomination.
The structure of this kind of pathway typically involves: your occupation appearing on the relevant state list and being flagged for the construction pathway, meeting the Home Affairs points test pass mark, meeting a minimum English level, and showing a period of recent, relevant work experience in that state.
CURRENT SETTINGS — verify before relying on these figures
As of October 16 2026, Queensland’s Building and Construction pathway requires a score of 65+ on the Home Affairs points test, Competent English, and 3 months of recent Queensland work experience (at least 20 hours a week) in a matching occupation.
Source: Migration Queensland, Building and construction workers. These figures are set for each program year and can change without notice — check the live page before you rely on them.
Other states and territories run their own occupation lists and requirements for construction trades, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory. Check the current occupation list and nomination criteria for the state or territory you’re interested in, as these are reset regularly.
So what does this mean for you? Learn the general shape of a state construction pathway — occupation flag, points, English, recent local experience — and you’ll be able to recognise and assess a new one quickly, whichever state introduces or updates it next.
Which visas can non-licensed construction trades apply for?
Once you have a positive skills assessment, several visa pathways may be available, depending on your occupation, points score and whether you have an employer or state willing to sponsor you.
These visa subclasses are a stable part of the system — it’s the occupation lists and quotas attached to them that move each year.
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) — a permanent visa, and you need nomination from an Australian state or territory.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) — a temporary regional visa that can lead to permanent residence later.
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Core Skills stream — an employer-sponsored temporary visa, for occupations on the CSOL.
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) — a permanent employer-sponsored visa.
All of these visas are points-tested or eligibility-tested. This means your age, English level, work experience, qualifications and nomination or sponsorship can affect your outcome.
How to check current requirements yourself
Migration settings for construction trades change at least once a year, sometimes more often. Rather than memorising numbers from any one article, build the habit of checking these four things directly whenever you’re about to act:
- The current occupation list for your visa on the Home Affairs website — confirm your occupation is still listed for the visa you want.
- TRA’s current programs and processing times — confirm which program applies to you and how long it is currently taking.
- The relevant state or territory migration website — confirm current quotas, points requirements and any construction-specific pathway.
- The Home Affairs points test — confirm the current pass mark and how your points are calculated.
So what does this mean for you? A five-minute check across these four sources before you apply will protect you from acting on outdated figures, no matter how old the article you read them in is.
What should you do?
If you work in a non-licensed construction trade and want to move to Australia, do not wait until you have found a job to start planning.
You should check:
- whether your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List or your target state’s occupation list
- which TRA program applies to your visa, passport country and qualification
- whether your existing skills assessment, if you already have one, is still within its 3-year validity
- whether you have enough documented work experience and reference letters
- whether a state construction pathway applies to you, and its current settings
- whether your English test result will still be valid when you apply
- whether you are close to turning 45, as this can affect your eligibility
Skills assessment applications that are incomplete or poorly documented can be refused rather than queried, so it pays to get your evidence right the first time.
Can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help you understand your visa options and prepare a clear migration strategy for your construction trade.
We can assist with:
- skills assessment strategy and documentation advice
- 190 and 491 state nomination applications
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills employer sponsorship
- Expression of Interest (EOI) strategy
- state-specific pathway advice, including construction-focused programs
- urgent visa strategy if your current visa is expiring soon
Construction trade nominations can be competitive, and small mistakes in your skills assessment or EOI can affect your chances.
FAQ: Construction Trade Skills Assessments
Do carpenters and bricklayers need a licence to work in Australia?
Generally, no. Carpenters, bricklayers, solid plasterers, wall and floor tilers and roof tilers do not usually need an individual state trade licence to work as an employee. This is different to electricians and plumbers, who must be licensed. If you plan to run your own building business, contractor licensing rules may still apply, so check with the relevant state regulator.
Does a TRA skills assessment expire?
Yes. A TRA skills assessment outcome is generally valid for 3 years from the date of issue, and it must be no older than 3 years when you lodge a relevant skilled visa application. If yours has expired, you will need to apply again.
How much work experience do I need for a TRA skills assessment?
It depends on your qualifications. Under the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, applicants generally need 6 years of experience with no formal qualification, 4 years with a related overseas qualification, or 3 years with a related Australian qualification (including 12 months in the last 3 years). Requirements differ for other TRA programs, so confirm which program applies to your situation.
Which visa can a bricklayer or tiler apply for in Australia?
Bricklayers and tilers may be eligible for the 190, 491 or 482 Skills in Demand visas, depending on their points score, work experience and whether they have a sponsor. Always check the current occupation list for the visa you’re considering.
What is the difference between OSAP and MSA?
The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is the standard assessment pathway for most permanent skilled visa applicants. The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) is a streamlined pathway that TRA has, at times, made available for eligible construction occupations and countries of passport. Check the current TRA website to see whether MSA currently applies to your occupation and passport.
Do states run dedicated pathways for construction trades?
Some do. Queensland, for example, runs a Building and Construction pathway alongside its general skilled pathways. These pathways are reset each program year, so check the current settings on the relevant state migration website before you rely on any published figures, including ours.
How can Work Visa Lawyers help with a construction trade visa?
Work Visa Lawyers can review your qualifications and experience, advise on the right TRA program, and help with your EOI and nomination strategy. Arrange an appointment to get started.
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.