Practical skills assessment for some Australian jobs

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

There is a huge demand for skilled workers and professionals in the job market in Australia. The current practice of issuing visas on paper based academic and practical qualifications will change from September 1, this year.

In addition, to their paper based academic and practical qualifications they will now have to attend a practical skills' assessment in their countries to obtain a skilled Migrant visa for certain occupations.

Registered Migration Agent of Australia Sanath Vidyananda, who was in Sri Lanka, recently said that under the new system, this practical assessment will be introduced in Sri Lanka, India, United Kingdom, South Africa, and the Philippines.

The skills assessments test for skilled migrants and the applicants for work visas of these countries includes a technical interview and a practical assessment which will be conducted in the applicant's country by a qualified trade skilled assessor from Australia. Vidyananda said that this will apply for occupations such as Bricklayers, Cable Jointers, Carpenters, Joiners, Electrical Powerline Tradepersons (Line workers), General Electricians, General Plumbers, Motor Mechanics and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanics.

Some benefits of the new arrangements are that the successful applicants will have more certainty that they will be able to work in the nominated job in Australia and licensed electrical and plumbing applicants will receive a provisional licence which will permit them to work under supervision without having to undertake additional skills testing when they arrive in Australia, he said.

Vidyananda, an experienced Migration Consultant also holds a Bachelor of Business Degree from the Swinburne University Australia. He has been residing there for the past 18 years.

Vidyananda said applicants should also have to be more proficient in English as the assessments are conducted in English apart from the visa requirement. Applicants who are very proficient in English will be rewarded with more points, he said.

There are a number of visa options available for people who want to migrate permanently to Australia with the requisite skills and qualifications.

People who want to invest and do business have various opportunities to establish themselves in Australia.

Australia is the sixth largest country and has the lowest population density per square kilometre.

In Australia over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken including 45 indigenous languages. The most commonly spoken languages are English, Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.

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