VETASSESS plans to resume offshore practical skills assessments for applicants in licensed trade occupations in May 2022.
Dates have been proposed for the United Kingdom in May and South Africa in June and July.
VETASSESS hopes to confirm more dates shortly and is working on resuming practical assessments in other countries later this year.
Applicants in the licensed trades of electrician, plumber and air-conditioning or refrigeration mechanic are required to pass a practical assessment for a skills assessment for migration to Australia.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, VETASSESS was forced to cancel offshore practical assessments in early 2020.
As the assessments resume, the first places will be offered to applicants who have been waiting the longest. VETASSESS is writing to those applicants as times and venues become available.
VETASSESS Executive Director Rob Thomason said VETASSESS is excited to announce that practical assessments are resuming.
“We recognise this has been a frustrating and difficult time for our customers,” he said. “We know many have been waiting for this announcement and we thank them for their patience.”
“There is strong demand for qualified tradespeople in Australia and we continue to negotiate for new venues to assess applicants in other countries.”
Important information on practical assessments by VETASSESS
A practical assessment as well as a technical interview is required for the licensed trades of electrician, plumber and air-conditioning or refrigeration mechanic.
Other trades only require a technical interview, which is conducted online. Tradespeople who have started an application with VETASSESS and who require a practical assessment will be guided to the assessment venues when they are in the application portal.
Information on trade occupations is available on the VETASSESS website