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PR in Australia Made Easy For Tradies in 2025

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April 19, 2025•3 min read

In today’s blog, we’ll be talking about the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program, the latest streamlining changes, and a newly released list of priority construction occupations by Trades Recognition Australia.

If you’re a tradesperson or employer in the building and construction sector — this is an important update.

We’ll also explain why having a skills assessment in a construction-related trade could give you a major advantage in securing invitations for permanent residency — sometimes even with as low as 65 points.

1. What is the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Program?

The MSA program is managed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It’s for qualified tradespeople applying for points-tested general skilled migration visas, such as:

  • Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)

  • Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)

This program assesses whether your trade qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards.

To apply, you must:

  • Have trade qualifications comparable to Australian standards

  • Have worked in your trade for at least 3 years post-qualification

  • Have at least 12 months of work experience in the last 3 years

The MSA is document-based, which means you’ll submit proof of your education, work experience, and relevance of your trade.

2. Recent Changes: Prioritisation and Streamlining

Due to ongoing shortages in Australia’s construction industry, TRA has prioritised and streamlined the processing of certain construction occupations.

If your occupation is on the Construction Occupations List for Prioritisation and Streamlining, you could benefit from:

  • Faster processing times

  • Simplified application steps

  • In some cases, streamlined assessment pathways (depending on your passport country)

3. Construction Occupations List – June 2024 Update

TRA’s updated list of construction-related trades (approved on 28 June 2024) includes occupations that are now prioritised — and some are also eligible for streamlining.

Examples of prioritised occupations:

  • Bricklayer

  • Carpenter

  • Carpenter and Joiner

  • Joiner

  • Cabinetmaker

  • Solid Plasterer

  • Wall and Floor Tiler

  • Welder (First Class)

  • Roof Tiler

  • Painting Trades Worker

  • Drainer

  • Electrician (General)*

  • Plumber (General)*

  • Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic*

*Note: Licensed trades require practical assessments and are not eligible for streamlining.

Countries eligible for streamlined assessments:

  • United Kingdom

  • Ireland

  • Sri Lanka

  • Iran

  • Republic of Korea

  • United Arab Emirates

  • Papua New Guinea

  • China (for selected trades)

4. Why Now is the Best Time for Construction Trades to Apply

If you already hold a skills assessment in a construction-related occupation, you are currently in very high demand.

As a result, many states and the federal government are:

  • Prioritising these occupations in their nomination lists

  • Offering invitations under Subclass 189 and 190

  • Even inviting applicants at lower points thresholds — sometimes as low as 65 points

Yes, that’s right — even with just 65 points, you may still receive an invitation due to the urgent demand in the building and infrastructure sector.

This makes it an ideal time to:

✅ Complete your skills assessment
✅ Enter the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool
✅ Boost your chances of permanent residency in Australia

5. How We Can Help

At Nationwide Migration and Education, we’ve helped many skilled tradespeople successfully:

  • Complete their Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)

  • Lodge EOIs

  • Receive invitations for permanent residency

Whether you’re applying under the MSA or the Offshore Skills Assessment (OSAP) pathway, we can:

  • Review your eligibility

  • Assist with gathering correct documentation

  • Lodge your application with TRA

  • Advise you on the best PR strategy for your specific trade

Ready to Start?

If you’re a tradesperson thinking about migrating to Australia — now is the time.

With occupations being prioritised, processing speeds improving, and invitations going out at lower points — there’s never been a better opportunity to take action.

👉 Get in touch with us at Nationwide Migration and Education. We’re here to guide you through skills assessment, visa planning, and all the way through to PR success.

Disclaimer:

The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education is for general informational purposes only. While accurate at the time of publication, details may change. This content is not intended as legal or migration advice. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please book a consultation with us!

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