Job Ready Program

From 1 January 2010, overseas student graduates who wish to apply for skilled (or regional sponsored) visas and who nominate a trade occupation will be subject to compliance with a job ready program administered by Trade Recognition Australia.

Details are still emerging/developing, but getting an assessment (necessary for the permanent residence visa application) will be a four step process:

1. Apply for a provisional assessment. This will involve payment of a fee (of course), holding a valid visa, achieving 6 across the four components of an IELTS test and having relevant work experience;
2. Completion of 12 months of "job ready" employment;
3. Complete a work place skills assessment; and
4. Apply for a final assessment.

This seems to me to be quite onerous and must reflect on the variation in the quality of the various trade courses that are offered to overseas students. It's unfortunate that a regime like this is necessary at all.

In writing this post, I acknowledge the assistance I have received from material published by the MIA (www.mia.org.au) as a service to its members

Photograph used pursuant to creative commons licence with the following attribution:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingsf/ / CC BY 2.0