Overseas qualifications and experience for building and trade licences
Qualifications from outside Australia are not recognised for contractor licences or certificates in NSW. You do have options to get acceptable qualifications if you are eligible.
Key information
- No overseas qualifications are recognised for home building licensing in NSW.
- If you were trained outside Australia, you must still demonstrate that you have the required qualifications and experience to obtain a licence or certificate.
- You may be eligible to undertake a skills assessment with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
- Overseas migrants may be eligible for a skills assessment through the Offshore Skilled Assessment Program (OSAP).
- New Zealand applicants may be eligible to apply under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA).
Getting a skills assessment
If you do not hold formal qualifications, you may be eligible to have your skills, knowledge or experience assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Find a registered training organisation (RTO) to assess your skills, knowledge or experience.
Offshore Skilled Assessment Program (OSAP)
The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is an Australian Government initiative. OSAP assesses the skills and qualifications of people trained overseas in specific trade occupations to ensure they meet Australian standards. Occupations are either non-licensed or licensed.
If eligible, you may be able to do the program through an RTO approved by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
Non-licensed occupations
For non-licensed occupations, you will get the relevant Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification through OSAP if you match the skills and experience standards successfully.
You can then apply for a contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate in:
Licensed occupations
For licensed occupations, you will get an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) if you complete OSAP successfully. The OTSR certifies that you have partially met the technical requirements for a Certificate III Australian VET qualification. However, to meet the full qualification requirements, you must complete:
- Australian context gap training, and
- a period of supervised employment.
Licensed occupations covered under the OSAP include:
- Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic [342111]
- Electrician (General) [341111]
- Electrician (Special Class) [341112]
- Plumber (General) [334111].
With an OTSR, you may be eligible to apply for a provisional tradesperson certificate in the following areas:
How to apply for a provisional tradesperson certificate under OSAP
1. Get your OTSR in your relevant trade occupation from a Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) approved provider.
2. Once you have your OTSR, you can submit your application online.
Important:
Provisional tradesperson certificates are only issued for 1 or 3 years and cannot be renewed.
Pathway to applying for a full licence or certificate
To apply for a full contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate, you must:
- complete the required Australian context gap training
- complete a period of supervised employment, and
- get the relevant Certificate III Australian VET qualification.
Important:
You must complete all gap training and supervised employment to obtain the relevant qualifications under the OSAP before you can apply for a contractor licence or supervisor certificate.
More information about OSAP
For more information about OSAP, including eligibility and how to register, go to the Trades Recognition Australia website.
Information for applicants from New Zealand
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) is an agreement between Australia and New Zealand that allows individuals to have their qualifications and professional registration recognised across both countries.
Under the TTMRA, a person who holds a qualification or registration in New Zealand can apply for recognition to work in a similar occupation in Australia, without needing to undergo additional assessment or re-qualification, provided they meet certain conditions.
Find out more about the Trans-Tasman arrangement and how mutual recognition works for New Zealand applicants.
Get in touch with Building Commission NSW
Need help with an application or want to know more about training and accreditation? Get in touch with Building Commission NSW.