Quick Answer
The Job Ready Program (JRP) is a skills assessment pathway run by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for international students who complete a trade qualification in Australia. It requires 12 months of paid employment (1,725 hours minimum) with a TRA-approved employer, plus a workplace assessment, before you receive a positive skills assessment that makes you eligible for skilled migration.
If you are an international student who has completed a trade qualification in Australia and you are aiming for permanent residency, the Job Ready Program (JRP) is one of the most structured and achievable pathways available to you. Run by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), the JRP allows eligible trade graduates to convert 12 months of paid Australian work experience into a recognised skills assessment β a critical step toward skilled migration visas including Subclass 189, 190, and 491.
Thinking about your PR pathway after your trade course? Umar Ashraf (MARA #2619222) provides strategic migration advice for trade graduates in Epping, Melbourne β in English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. Book a free consultation β
What Is the Job Ready Program?
The Job Ready Program is an employment-based skills assessment program administered by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It is designed for international student graduates who have completed a trade qualification at an Australian CRICOS-registered institution and received a Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) confirming their qualification. The JRP allows graduates to demonstrate their occupational skills in a real Australian workplace, rather than relying solely on academic outcomes.
Is the JRP Right for You? Eligibility Explained
- β Completed a trade qualification at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution (Certificate III, IV, or Diploma)
- β Hold a successful Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) β valid for 3 years
- β Nominate an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List where TRA is the assessing authority
- β Hold a valid visa with full work rights in Australia
- β At least 12 months of work rights remaining (minimum 38 hours/week full-time equivalent)
- β Completed at least 360 hours of vocational placement relevant to your occupation
Important: Some licensed trade occupations are NOT eligible. Always confirm your occupation qualifies on the TRA website before applying.
Which Trade Occupations Are Eligible?
- Commercial Cookery (Chef)
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Bricklaying and Blocklaying
- Wall and Floor Tiling
- Painting and Decorating
- Automotive Trades
- Hairdressing
- Plumbing (some streams)
- Electrical (some streams)
What Are the Four Stages of the Job Ready Program?
Stage 1: Job Ready Program Registration and Eligibility (JRPRE) β $200
Also known as the Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA). TRA verifies your identity, Australian trade qualification, IELTS score (minimum 6 in each band), and 360 hours of vocational placement. Valid for 3 years. Average processing time approximately 90 days.
Stage 2: Job Ready Employment (JRE) β $450
The main employment phase. You must complete a minimum of 12 months full-time paid employment (38 hours/week) with a TRA-approved employer. Key points:
- You may claim up to 3 months of prior employment completed immediately before your JRE application
- Up to 5 employers allowed, but at least 6 months must be with a single employer
- All employment must be within Australia
- Must be paid at least the industry award wage
- Notify TRA within 14 days of any employment changes
Key documents: Employment Verification Reports (EVRs), Skills Progress Reports (SPRs), and payslips.
Stage 3: Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) β $2,150
After approximately 863 hours (~6 months), a trained RTO assessor visits your workplace and evaluates your skills, safety practices, and ability to meet Australian industry standards. Outcomes: Job Ready (proceed) or Not Yet Job Ready (one free review available).
Stage 4: Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA) β $300
After completing the full 12 months (~1,725 hours) and a successful JRWA, TRA verifies all employment records and issues a skills assessment outcome letter within approximately 45 days. This letter is used to apply for your skilled migration visa.
How Much Does the Job Ready Program Cost in Total?
| Stage | TRA Fee |
|---|---|
| JRPRE / Provisional Skills Assessment | $200 |
| Job Ready Employment (JRE) | $450 |
| Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) | $2,150 |
| Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA) | $300 |
| Total TRA Fees | $3,100 |
Additional costs: Subclass 485 visa fee (AUD $2,235 as of 2025) and migration agent fees.
How Many Hours Does the JRP Require?
The most common question trade graduates ask is exactly how many working hours the JRP requires. Here is the complete breakdown by milestone:
| JRP Milestone | Hours Required | Equivalent Time (38 hrs/week) |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Placement (for PSA/JRPRE) | 360 hours | ~9β10 weeks |
| Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) trigger | ~863 hours | ~6 months into JRE |
| Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA) eligibility | ~1,725 hours | ~12 months full-time |
| Total JRE Hours Required | 1,725 hours | ~12 months full-time |
The 1,725-hour requirement applies equally to all TRA-eligible trade occupations β whether you are a chef, carpenter, automotive technician, painter, or hairdresser. There is no trade-specific variation in total hours.
Hours must be completed as paid employment at a minimum of 38 hours per week with a TRA-approved employer. Up to 3 months of prior employment completed immediately before your JRE application may be counted toward the total.
How to Apply for the JRP β Step by Step
- Complete your trade qualification β Finish your Certificate III/IV or Diploma at a CRICOS-registered institution and accumulate at least 360 hours of vocational placement.
- Apply for the Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA / JRPRE) β Lodge your PSA application with TRA ($200 fee). Processing takes approximately 90 days. Your PSA is valid for 3 years.
- Secure a TRA-approved employer β Find a business in your nominated occupation that is registered with TRA and willing to provide Employment Verification Reports (EVRs) and Skills Progress Reports (SPRs).
- Lodge your Job Ready Employment (JRE) application β Once employed, apply for JRE registration ($450 fee). TRA approves your employer and starts your 12-month employment clock.
- Complete ~863 hours and request your JRWA β After approximately 6 months of full-time employment, apply for the Job Ready Workplace Assessment. An RTO assessor visits your workplace and evaluates your skills ($2,150 fee).
- Complete remaining hours and apply for JRFA β After reaching 1,725 hours, lodge your Job Ready Final Assessment application ($300 fee). TRA issues your skills assessment outcome letter within approximately 45 days.
- Use your skills assessment for a skilled migration visa β Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect for Subclass 189, 190, or 491. Your positive skills assessment is the key document.
How Does the JRP Lead to Permanent Residency?
- Subclass 189 β Skilled Independent Visa: No state nomination. Points-tested. For occupations on the MLTSSL.
- Subclass 190 β Skilled Nominated Visa: State nomination β earn 5 extra points.
- Subclass 491 β Skilled Work Regional Visa: State/family sponsorship. Regional requirement. Earn 15 extra points.
How Can You Avoid Common JRP Delays?
- Start your PSA early β Processing takes ~90 days. Apply as soon as your course ends.
- Choose a TRA-approved employer β TRA will verify your workplace.
- Keep meticulous records β Payslips, EVRs, and SPRs must be complete.
- Notify TRA of any changes β Within 14 days.
- Only use current TRA forms β Outdated versions are rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change employers during the JRP?
Yes. TRA allows up to 5 employer registrations, but the new employment must be in the same nominated occupation and you must notify TRA within 14 days.
Does completing the JRP guarantee PR?
No. The JRP provides a positive skills assessment which significantly strengthens a PR application, but you must still meet points test requirements and receive an invitation to apply.
What if I receive a “Not Yet Job Ready” outcome?
You are entitled to one free review. If unsuccessful, you may reapply after gaining further work experience.
This article is for general information only. TRA guidelines and migration law change regularly. Consult a MARA-registered agent for advice specific to your circumstances.
Call Umar directly: 0424 260 655
Email: info@magpieconsultants.com.au
Office: Office #3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076
Consultations in: English | Ψ§Ψ±Ψ―Ω Urdu | ΰ¨ͺΰ©°ΰ¨ΰ¨Ύΰ¨¬ΰ© Punjabi | ΰ€Ήΰ€Ώΰ€¨ΰ₯ΰ€¦ΰ₯ Hindi
If you are working toward permanent residency through the trade pathway, understanding how the JRP connects to the broader skilled migration system is essential. Read our guide on Migration Services for an overview of skilled visa options, or visit our Education Consultancy page if you are still deciding on your trade qualification pathway.
How long does the JRP take from start to finish?
The full JRP takes approximately 15β18 months. Allow 90 days for PSA processing, 12 months for the JRE employment phase, 4β8 weeks for JRWA scheduling, and 45 days for JRFA processing. Starting your PSA application immediately after finishing your trade course is the single most effective way to avoid delays.
What is the JRP processing time for each stage?
- JRPRE / PSA: approximately 90 days
- JRE approval: approximately 14 days after lodgement
- JRWA scheduling: 4β8 weeks lead time depending on assessor availability
- JRFA outcome: approximately 45 days after lodgement
What is a TRA-approved employer?
A TRA-approved employer is a legitimate Australian business registered with Trades Recognition Australia to host JRP participants. They must operate in your nominated trade occupation, pay at least the relevant industry award wage, and provide Employment Verification Reports (EVRs) and Skills Progress Reports (SPRs) throughout your JRE. TRA verifies all employers β hours worked for an unregistered employer cannot be claimed.
Can I work part-time during the JRP?
Yes, but your JRE approval period is fixed at 12 months from the start date. Part-time hours still count toward the 1,725-hour total, but working fewer than 38 hours per week means you may not accumulate enough hours within the 12-month window. If you do not reach 1,725 hours within that period, you may need to apply for an extension β which TRA assesses on a case-by-case basis.
How do I contact TRA about my JRP application?
TRA does not provide phone support for individual JRP enquiries. All queries must be submitted through the TRA online portal at tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au. Response times are typically 5β10 business days. A MARA-registered migration agent can monitor your application status and escalate urgent matters on your behalf.
Official Sources & Further Reading
- Trades Recognition Australia β Job Ready Program
- Department of Home Affairs β Skilled Occupation Lists
- Department of Home Affairs β Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
- Migration Act 1958 β Skills Assessment Requirements
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
