[Russell]

Hi,

I'm a newbie and would like to know how to go about getting registered and seeing if my qualifications are suitable for working in Australia as a gas fitter. I'm an experienced plumbing and heating engineer - gas fitter - in the UK with over 5 years UK experience in the trade. In particular what are the requirements for getting sponsorship for West Australia and getting licensed there? Thanks – hope you can help.

[quincy]

You will need to get your qualifications assessed as follows from the DIAC website:

"Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

You must apply to TRA for assessment of your qualifications and work experience to establish whether you are capable of undertaking the full range of tasks expected of a tradesperson in Australia.

TRA’s uniform assessment criteria requires you to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience equivalent to an Australian apprenticed-trained tradesperson.

You must be capable of performing your work in a safe and acceptable manner and demonstrate that you have adequate theoretical knowledge for the occupation.

If you are seeking to have your skills assessed as a supervisor you must first satisfy the assessment requirements for your trade and have been working as a supervisor for three or more years after becoming fully qualified in your trade.

Trades Recognition Australia
PO Box 9879
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Telephone: 61 2 6121 7456
Fax: 61 2 6121 7768
Email: traenquiries@deewr.gov.au
Website: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/TRA/Pages/default.aspx"

[Russell]

Thanks for the info quincy - do you know how I get a WA licence and sponsorship?

[scotty]

Thanks for the info quincy - do you know how I get a WA licence and sponsorship?

The australian immigration website will have details on that.

http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/?page=skilled-migration

How to Apply for State Sponsorship

1. Read the Government of Western Australia's State Sponsorship Guidelines.
2. Check that you have an occupation on the Western Australian Occupations in Demand List (WAOIDL).
3. Complete your on-line sponsorship application for a Skilled Sponsored or Skilled Regional Sponsored visa. You must attach your:
- CV
- Positive Skills Assessment.
- IELTS test results (note: citizens of the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand are not required to provide IELTS results)

Note: if you are a Graduate student you must attach the following documentation for your application to be valid:
- Skills Assessment
- Current CV
- Letter of completion from your educational institution
- IELTS results

If you completed your studies more than 6 months prior to applying you will need to provide
- Evidence of either 485 visa grant or 885 visa lodgement.

If you completed your studies at an Australian Education Institution outside Western Australia you will also need to provide
- Evidence of at least 12 months skilled work experience in Western Australia post qualification.

If these documents are not attached to your application it will be deemed as invalid and State Sponsorship will not be granted.
4. Once the State Migration Centre receives all the necessary documents, your application will be assessed.
5. If you are successful in receiving sponsorship from Western Australia, you will be notified in writing and advised how to proceed further.


http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/g/gasfitter-4431-13.htm#walrr
Western Australia

Licensing is compulsory.

The Office of Energy
197 St George's Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: 61 8 9420 5600
Fax: 61 8 9420 5700
Email: enquiries@energy.wa.gov.au