If you’re currently studying or have recently completed a trade qualification (e.g. Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, Certificate III in Baking or Certificate III in Carpentry), you should be contemplating your next steps, which is achieving a full skills assessment from the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) by undertaking the Job Ready Program (JRP)!

We’ve got some good news for you! The TRA has recently released updated applicant guidelines for the JRP which positively impact graduates by streamlining the skills assessment process effective 1 July 2023!

The JRP is now a three-stage employment-based skills assessment program that provides trade qualification graduates the opportunity to demonstrate their job readiness in an Australian workplace. It is in place for graduates pursuing a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation which they can use for General skilled migration purposes.

What are the changes to the Job Ready Program? 

• A Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) is now again required before applying for the JRP, however a major change is that you no longer need have 360 hours of work experience.
• You no longer need to be the primary holder of a student visa to obtain the PSA
• The PSA is valid for 3 years from the date of the PSA outcome and applicants can use that entire duration to complete their JRP
• After completing the PSA, the standard 3 stages of the JRP are in place:

1. 1. Job Ready Employment (JRE)
   2. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)
   3. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)
• At least 12 months of full-time paid employment (of an average of 38 hours per week) or part-time equivalent is required as part of the JRP
• The 12-month work period commences from the JRE start date (usually the date you submit your JRE application)
• Agents (like us) can manage the process throughout all stages of the JRP
• Visa documents are no longer required to apply for the JRP, needless to say though, applicants are required to hold and maintain a valid visa with work rights whilst participating in the JRP.

For Existing JRP Participants and Prospective Applicants:

Whether you’re already a participant in the JRP or have plans to join in the future, taking note of these changes is crucial. It’s highly recommended that you review the updated program guidelines. Understanding the modifications and how they might influence your participation is essential. To gain more clarity, delve into the updated JRP FAQs and the new JRP Applicant Guidelines.

Australia’s Job Ready Program is adapting to provide a more efficient and effective pathway for skilled professionals. With the replacement of JRPRE by the PSA, it’s essential to be well-informed about these changes. Whether you’re already part of the JRP journey or considering joining, taking the time to understand these updates will ensure you’re prepared for the new program structure.

Support and Guidance

At Questra Immigration, we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. We can provide support and guidance to both current participants and prospective applicants.  

Any doubts or questions you may have can be directed to our WhatsApp chat, where you can talk with one of our agents.