When you are a skilled worker intending to move to Australia, the skill assessment is one of the greatest challenges. It is the stage when your qualifications, training, and working experience is compared to the Australian standards before you are eligible to obtain visas such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190).

In the case of trade occupations, TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) and VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) are the two most prevalent assessing authorities. However, the trick is here: selecting the one that is not the right one may make your migration take months longer.

Thousands of skilled workers are submitting applications via the incorrect skill assessment body - and losing money, time and even the very Australian dream. Unless you are foolproof about your migration, you should be aware of the distinction between TRA and VETASSESS - and make the right decision the first time.

TRA vs VETASSESS: Confusion That's Ruining the Dream of Migration

Get to know the two trade giants of assessment:

TRA Skill Assessment - Government agency under the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations- the chief arbiter in most trades.
VETASSESS Skill Assessment - Standalone assessment service dealing with 361 professional jobs including some trades under their Offshore Skills Assessment Program.
The problem?- EITHER body can evaluate many types of trades - and when the wrong course is selected, the money is wasted and months of delays are encountered.
FACT - VETASSESS evaluates over 341 recipes and other non-trade occupations to migrate into skilled positions but TRA evaluates specifically the trade skills acquired abroad or in Australia.

What is the main Differences for Skilled Migration to Australia

Criteria	TRA	VETASSESS
Occupation Type	Trade occupations	Non-trade / general occupations
Assessment Type	Practical + Document Assessment	Document-based (some trades require practical)
Processing Time	3–6 months	8–12 weeks
Assessment Cost	Medium to High	Medium
Licencing Pathways	Includes trade licensing in some occupations	No licensing – qualification verification only

Top 5 Biggest Mistakes Tradies Keep Repeating

Want to Succeed as a Tradie? First, Stop Making These 5 Errors

Mistake #1	Selecting by Google Search	The majority of individuals simply Google and select the first option. Then ask yourself why 4 months later they are rejected.
Mistake #2	Failure to verify their Country Eligibility	TRA has country requirements on certain pathways. VETASSESS does not - but it does not necessarily make VETASSESS the right place to place you!
Mistake 3	Leave their Type of qualification out	Your qualification will decide what route you can take. Make this mistake = be rejected.
Mistake #4	Selecting According to Price Only	When making the wrong decision costs you months of delays and reapplication expenses cheaper does not make much sense.
Mistake #5	Failure to appreciate the differences in the outcome	the MSA outcome of TRA is only applicable to migration. The migration, employment, and AND licensing of the results of OSAP through the two bodies are possible.