Trade skills recognition

Have you been working in a trade but don't have a qualification? If so, you might be eligible for trade skills recognition. This is just like 'regular' skills recognition but is administered by the NSW Vocational Training Tribunal.

Once you have completed the process you will be eligible for a trade certificate - either a certificate of proficiency or a craft certificate.

Are you eligible?

The NSW Department of Education and Training, Apprenticeships and Traineeships site advises that you can apply for trade recognition if you:

• have worked in the particular trade for at least four years (either in Australia or Overseas), or
• have completed an apprenticeship or other trade training (either in Australia or Overseas), or
• have completed a recognised industry assessment program or
• have acquired an appropriate qualification

The NSW Department of Education has specific information about trade skills recognition on their Apprenticeships and Traineeships website. This site shows you which paperwork to fill out and how much the process will cost.

Licensing

The Apprenticeships and Traineeships website also has information about occupational licensing, which is a separate issue to trade qualification. A certificate issued by the Vocational Training Tribunal is not a licence to work in the trade which may be a requirement by the various NSW licensing authorities.

For information about occupational licensing in the automotive, construction or electrical industry visit the NSW Office of Fair Trading's website.

You can find out more about overseas trade recognition at the overseas skills recognition page.