Q: Are there any tradesmen out there who are in the process of emigrating or have already emigrated to Australia? My partner is a bricklayer and we have just started enquiries. He apparently needs to be assessed by TRA and VETASSESS. How do i contact these to obtain the paperwork needed? Any other helpful info much appreciated. Thanks
A: Hi. Im a Panelbeater and have just gone through the process and now living in Sydney, from thinking of doing the move to actualy being here has taken two years and cost alot of money, (but well worth it). The TRA cost me $300 AUS and to get it i just went on the TRA web site downloaded the forms and filled them in and sent them off. And its not easy to do, they ask for refrences and when they say detaild they MEAN it, The place were I did my apprentiship had to say the dates I started and left what tools and equipmet I used on a day to day basis, who trained me, how I improved my skills every year, I have had a few employers and they all had to write refrences and say what tools and equipment I used and what my skill level was and also describe what type of jobs I would undertake and how I would go about doing them. I also had to send pictures of me working in the workshop, also I had to send all my qualifications off. I did this on my own but I would recomend going through a visa agentcy because you know it will be rite, I did go with one to do my visa because what I had to send off for my TRA had to be sent off again to gain my visa aswell as other things. Also If you are going on your partners visa you would have to prove that you have at least lived with each other for more than a year, I had to show a years worth of joint bank statements, bills, and prof that we had rented together, the more stuff the better. You will also have to hae medicals which is not cheap, they just check fir aids. tb etc and that you won't cost Australia medical expence. I would say if you are serious about it save as much oney as you can because its not a cheap move. Hope I have helped.