What is Trade Skills Recognition?

Many people with trade skills and experience do not have formal qualifications. There are opportunities for these people to have their skills assessed and formally recognised.

Trade recognition in NSW is conducted in accordance with Part 3 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. Fees are established by regulation under this Act.

Who can apply?
If a person has experience working in a particular recognised trade but does not have formal qualifications in that trade, he/she can apply to have his/her trade skills assessed and formally recognised by the NSW Vocational Training Tribunal (VTT) and receive trade certification. They may do this if they:

• 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

What trades are recognised in NSW?

• check the list of trades and the current competencies required for each trade

What are the benefits?
A trade certificate could be of great benefit to those who:

• are unemployed and seeking employment
• are seeking a promotion where they work, as certified tradespeople are generally paid more than those without certification
• need a licence to work in a licensed trade
• wish to undertake further education in a trade area.

For further information see Get your Trade Skills Recognised (PDF 488KB) brochure.

To read or print a copy of the brochure in a different language, click on the relevant link below.

What certification is issued?
The NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) issues the following forms of certification for trade skills recognition:

• certificate of proficiency - is issued if the applicant can satisfy the VTT that he/she has been working in the trade for at least 4 years, has gained industry experience and has been awarded a relevant qualification by a Registered Training Organisation.
• craft certificate - is issued if the applicant can satisfy the VTT that he/she has been working in the trade for at least 4 years and has gained the necessary industry experience but has NOT been awarded a relevant qualification by a Registered Training Organisation.

How do I apply?
To apply for trade skills recognition:

• complete an application form available from a local State Training Centre (STC) or the Vocational Training Tribunal (VTT)
• attach photocopies of the required documents
• attach two recent passport-size photographs and signed on the back with your normal signature.
• pay an application fee
• send or deliver the application to the VTT or a local STC.

There may be an additional fee if a trade skills test is required.

Where to send in the Application Form?
Applications for trade recognition may be lodged as follows:

• in person at the office of the Vocational Training Tribunal
• at a State Training Centre (STC) near you.
• by post to:

  Vocational Training Tribunal
  NSW Department of Education and Training
  Locked Bag 53
  Darlinghurst NSW 1300.

Fees
When a person submits an application for trade recognition, he/she must pay a fee to the NSW Department of Education and Training. If a trade test, work based trade recognition assessment or other services is required, the applicant will also have to pay the specified fee for that service.

Schedule of Fees

As of 1 September 2005, the fees are:

* If an applicant for trade recognition is required to undertake a further trade test following an appeal and he/she is successful in passing that further test, the additional test fee of $275.00 will be refunded.

Method of Payment
Payment can be made in person by bank cheque, money order or cash. Bank cheques or money orders should be payable to "The Department of Education and Training". EFTPOS is also available when you are paying in person at the VTT.

Payment may also be made by posting a bank cheque or money order(no cash) with the application for trade recognition, with such cheque or money order made payable to "The Department of Education and Training".

Refund of Fees
A refund of fees may be made at the discretion of the Vocational Training Tribunal. Refunds will be considered in the following circumstances:

• where an application is determined as being outside the scope of trade recognition
• where an applicant has informed the Vocational Training Tribunal that they will be unable to attend the trade test. In that circumstance, at least 7 days notice is required prior to the scheduled test date
• where an applicant is unable to attend the scheduled trade test through illness or other sufficient reasons. In that circumstance the application is required to provide an appropriate medical certificate or other reasons with supporting documentation

Waiver of Fees
The Vocational Training Tribunal may exercise discretion to waive fees. A person who requests that the Vocational Training Tribunal waive the fees in respect of an application for trade recognition or other service related thereto should provide the Tribunal with a letter setting out the circumstances under which the request for waiver is made.

Regulations: Apprenticeship and Traineeship Regulation 2005 (PDF 13KB)

Evidence required to support application.
Certified photocopies of the following documents:

• Work related reference from employer/s, provided by a tradesperson qualified in the trade you are applying for, detailing the description of work performed, procedures applied and tools and equipment used. Must be on letter-head, signed and dated
• Testimonials from employers or clients attesting to trade skills and experience
• Employment records, supported by Tax Returns or Group Certificates detailing employment classification and periods of employment on trade work
• Formal trade training records, certificates or skill profiling records or reports
• Formal workplace appraisals of trade work performed
• Work experience record books
• Job log book or Job journal
• Job cards or job diary or work invoices
• Photographic evidence

or

• Other methods that provide sufficient detail of trade experience.

How are applications assessed?
The applications are checked to ensure that all the relevant info has been provided before they are referred to the VTT for consideration. The VTT meets on a regular basis to consider applications in various trades. Click here for a schedule of meetings for 2008.

When assessing an application for trade recognition, the VTT considers

• how long the applicant has been working in the trade
• what training has the applicant received in the trade
• what relevant formal qualifications does the applicant have

The VTT may approve or refuse the application or:

• may interview the applicant to obtain more information or
• may arrange an investigation/assessment on the applicant's trade skills at his/her workplace
• may request that the applicant undertake a trade test

Licensing

The Vocational Training Tribunal issues either a Craft Certificate or a Certificate of Proficiency to successful applicants in recognition of their trade skills.

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.

If you are after a licence to work in your trade you should apply to the appropriate authority and not the Vocational Training Tribunal.

The following is a list of trades that may require a license:

Automotive Trades

For information about licensing in the automotive trades, contact the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Authority on ph 9712 2200 or visit its website at www.mvria.nsw.gov.au

Building and Construction Trades

For information about licensing in the construction or the electrical industry contact the NSW Office of Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or visit its website at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

Aircraft Trades

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

For information about licensing in the aircraft trades contact the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Licensing Section, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, on 13 17 57 or visit its website at www.casa.gov.au

Note -The above list covers most licensed trades but they are varied from time to time. You should contact the appropriate authority for the latest information.

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