TSS Skills Assessment Program

Temporary Migration

TSS Skills Assessment Program

Temporary Migration

ACTS Visa Skills has been approved by TRA to deliver the TSS Skills Assessment Program which is an assessment pathway for eligible applicants applying for temporary migration, temporary work (skilled) visa (subclass TSS) . For further information on this type of visa please visit Department of Home Affairs

TSS skills assessments are designed to determine if applicants have the skills and experience necessary to work in Australia at the trade level for their occupation so they can contribute immediately to the Australian workforce.

If you are applying for a skills assessment under the TSS Skills Assessment Program you must read the Applicant Guidelines before proceeding.

Nominated Occupations, Passport Countries and Assessment Locations

Motor Mechanic (General) [321211]

AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Diesel Motor Mechanic [321212] - AUR31120

AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Diesel Motor Mechanic [321212] - MEM31419

MEM31419 Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and Mobile Plant

Panelbeater [324111]

AUR32120 Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology

Cabinetmaker [394111]

MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinetmaking

Fitter (General) [323211] - MEM30219

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Fitting)

Fitter (General) [323211] - MEM31419

MEM31419 Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and Mobile Plant

Fitter and Turner [323212]

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Fitting and Turning)

Fitter – Welder [323213]

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade

Metal Fabricator [322311]

MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade

Metal Fitters and Machinists (NEC) [323299]

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Fitting/Machining)

Metal Machinist (First Class) [323214]

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Machining)

Sheetmetal Trades Worker [322211]

MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal working)

Welder (First Class) [322313]

MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Welding)

Candidates are required to hold a passport from one of the TSS nominated passport countries

It is a requirement for candidates to reside in or can travel to one of the countries listed below for the skills assessment process including the technical interview and practical if necessary –

Eligibility Pathway 1 and Pathway 2

After confirming you have a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country and you are in a skills assessment country you can determine your eligibility for the following pathways –

TSS Pathway 1

If the applicant does not have formal training, then they must provide evidence of at least 5 years full time paid employment in a directly related trade, including evidence of at least 12 months full time paid employment in the nominated trade in the last 3 years before the date of application.
If the applicant does have formal training, then they must provide evidence of at least 3 years full time paid employment in a directly related trade, including evidence of at least 12 months full time paid employment in the nominated trade in the last 3 years before the date of application.

Pathway 1 applicants will be required to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to help identify if you have the relevant skills that meet the Australian standards in your trade. You will need to be competent in all the mandatory units and many of the elective units.

TSS Pathway 2

Suitable for candidates who already hold a relevant Australian qualification in the nominated occupation area and can demonstrate at least three (3) years fulltime experience or part-time equivalent including current employment in the trade area for twelve (12) of the last 36 months.

Pathway 2 applicants DO NOT need to complete a SAQ, as you already hold an Australian qualification within the nominated occupation/trade.

How To Apply

The Skills Assessment Process is designed to assess a client against the standards of the relevant Australian Training Package. These packages are designed by industry, for industry and are used by Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) in assessing competency. Download and make yourself familiar with the “GUIDE TO AUSTRALIAN SAFETY STANDARDS“

When applying for your skills assessment you must provide all available evidence to ensure your application is “Decision Ready” (see evidence checklist in the Application form pages 12-13) including the completed SAQ as part of your application for Pathway 1.

If you are satisfied that you meet the Eligibility Criteria,

TIP: Read the Applicant Guidelines when completing the Application Form.
NOTE: All assessments must be conducted in English.

A representative from ACTS will make contact with you within 5 working days to confirm your details.

Australian Office

(Asia and South Africa applications also)

Unit 1
2-6 Breakwater Rd
Robina QLD 4226

PO Box 1612
Mudgeeraba
QLD 4213

Skills Assessment Process

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Stage One: Application Review

Once we receive your completed TSS application form along with your SAQ (Pathway 1 only) our team will review your application and supporting evidence. All documents provided must be in English. Non-English documents must be provided with an accompanying translation from a registered translation service. If your application is accepted and no further evidence is required we will request the Documentary Assessment payment will be paid directly to TRA through the TRA Online POrtal. An assessment payment identifier code will be provided.

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Stage Two: Documentary Assessment

Documentary evidence must contain the following:

Certified true copies of your formal training qualifications
Certified true copy of photo identification (passport required)
Scan colour copies of licences/permits (if applicable)
Scan colour copies of employer statements
Two passport-sized photographs
Current Resume/work history
Photographic or video evidence must be provided that shows you conducting work tasks using appropriate tools and/or machinery in personal protective equipment (PPE).

If your documentary evidence satisfies the criteria and we have verified your competency skills and time in the trade with your Referees, you will proceed to Stage Three

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Stage Three: Technical Interview / Practical Skills Demonstration

You will be required to undertake a technical interview at one of our Skills Assessment locations (please contact ACTS for location details) with our Trade Assessors to determine if your skills and knowledge meet the qualification requirements. The Technical Interview payment will be requested at this time and paid directly to TRA through the TRAP Online Portal as per the initial payment.

The assessment itself is based on questioning techniques and discussions, which allow the client to express the relevant competency. Throughout the Technical Assessment, questions on Australian Safety Standards and how they are used in the workplace will be included.

NOTE: All technical interviews are conducted in English with no external assistance.

Should the need arise, a Practical Demonstration of skills will be requested. This is used to gain a further insight into the applicant’s competency, by way of demonstrating skills, using appropriate tools and equipment.

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Stage Four: Assessment Outcome

Once a full Assessors report has been submitted and the Compliance Panel has reviewed the relevant evidence then a decision will be made on the outcome of the assessment.

The outcome can be either Successful or Unsuccessful. If successful, ACTS will issue a full AQFIII Qualification for the trade and a successful outcome letter (Pathway 2 successful outcome letter only). This letter may then form part of your application with the Department of Home Affairs.

Should the outcome be unsuccessful, ACTS will provide a letter explaining the reason(s) for your unsuccessful outcome along with a list of identified competencies required to achieve the full AQFIII qualification. A Statement of Attainment however will be provided, detailing the units of competency achieved throughout the process. ACTS will further guide the applicant as to the “Gap Units” and how to arrange for these to be trained and then reassessed.

At any time the client can apply for reassessment or review a decision made by ACTS. Please refer to TRA website forms and Policies.

New payment arrangements for TSS Program and OSAP

Commencing on 1 March 2019, applicants for Trades Recognition Australia’s (TRA) TSS Skills Assessment Program (TSS program) and Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) will pay fees for their skills assessment directly to TRA through the TRA Online Portal.

Australian Construction Training Services will provide you with an RTO assessment payment identifier code that must be used to make payment through the TRA Online Portal for the service you require, for example, a documentary evidence assessment, technical assessment, etc.

From 1 March 2019, the following fees apply for the TSS Program and OSAP. These fees are also available on the TRA website in the Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) for the TRA RTO Assessment Services (see TRA News Items, published 4 January 2019).

Documentary Evidence $1,120
Documentary Evidence – Review $700
Documentary Evidence – Reassessment $450
Technical Interview – Pathway 1 $2,000
Technical Interview – Pathway 1 – Review $700
Technical Interview – Pathway 1 – Reassessment $1,000
Technical Interview – Pathway 2 $900
Technical Interview – Pathway 2 – Review $700
Technical Interview – Pathway 2 – Reassessment $450
Practical Assessment $2,200
Practical Assessment – Review $700
Practical Assessment – Reassessment $1,100

Reassessment Policy

Candidates have the right to appeal an assessment decision. Please refer to the TRA website forms and Policies

Refund Policy

Candidates may apply for a refund. Please refer to the TRA website forms and Policies

Feedback and Complaints Policy

Any candidate wishing to leave feedback or make a complaint or comment about the service provided by ACTS please Enquire Now and you will receive acknowledgement within 5 working days.

It is the responsibility of each Country/Region Manager to respond to, action and endeavour to resolve any complaints received. Please refer to our Contact Us section for details of each office.

TSS Skills Assessment Program

Temporary Migration