You’ve completed your trade qualification in Australia. You’re holding your Subclass 485 visa. Permanent residency feels like the logical next step.
But this is where many graduates realise — finishing your Cert III or trade qualification is only the beginning.
If your goal is General Skilled Migration (189, 190 or 491), you’ll need a positive skills assessment through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). For recent graduates, this usually means completing the Job Ready Program (JRP).
Step 1: Provisional Skills Assessment
For 485 visa holders, this is the first and immediate step.
To qualify, you must have:
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An Australian Certificate III (or higher) in your trade
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At least 360 hours of work experience in Australia
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This must be relevant to your trade
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It does not need to be the exact ANZSCO occupation
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It can include unpaid vocational placement
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No English requirement for TRA assessment purposes
Once you receive your Provisional Skills Assessment, timing becomes critical.
You must register for the Job Ready Employment (JRE) stage straight away.
Why? Because most 485 Graduate visas give you 18 months, and you will need 12 months of eligible employment before you can complete the program and receive your final skills assessment.
Many graduates lose valuable months by waiting.
Step 2: Job Ready Employment
This is where you complete your required employment period.
Requirements include:
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Employment must be post-qualification
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Up to 3 months of work can count prior to JRE registration
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A minimum of 1,725 hours over at least 12 months (excluding paid leave)
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Work must be paid and at the skilled level
Step 3 & 4: Workplace and Final Assessment
TRA will conduct a Job Ready Workplace Assessment, followed by a Final Assessment.
Once successful, you receive your full skills assessment — allowing you to claim points and pursue GSM pathways.
The Reality Most Students Don’t Hear
Studying a trade in Australia is valuable but it is not necessarily an “easy PR pathway” if you don’t follow these steps.
For GSM visas, you do not need an employer sponsor. But you do need:
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A completed skills assessment
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A competitive points score
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An invitation to apply
The entire Job Ready Program can take up to 18 months. Many applicants run out of time on their 485 visa before reaching the final assessment stage.
What About Employer Sponsorship?
If you secure an employer willing to sponsor you for a Subclass 482 visa, you may not need to complete the full TRA Job Ready Program but you will generally need:
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At least 12 months of full-time work experience
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A sponsoring employer
Each pathway has different timing pressures.
The Key Is Strategy
The biggest mistake recent graduates make is waiting.
If permanent residency is your goal, your migration plan should start as soon as your 485 is granted — not when it’s about to expire.
Understanding whether GSM or employer sponsorship suits your circumstances can save you months and in some cases, your eligibility.
If you’ve completed a trade qualification and are unsure about your next step, book a consultation. The right timing and visa strategy can make all the difference.