New TRA Pathway D Information

Hello,

If there are any of you out there who were affected by the removal of Pathway D and have been waiting for news of the new Pathway D, here is some new information:

Hello,

The MIA have released the following information about the shape of things to come with the new TRA Pathway D (note: this is still only a "proposal" and more changes may be forthcoming - I certainly hope so):


The proposed new approach is quite different to previous pathways but offers good prospects for many would-be migrant applicants to qualify on the basis of their trade skills. 

It is expected that the new policy will come into effect on 1 September 2008 but, to some extent, this will depend upon the feedback which DEEWR receives. 

Of particular interest:

•1.    Replacement for Pathway D.

The old Pathway D allowed for a consideration of workplace experience alone. This will not be a feature of the new system. Under the new system, skills assessment will rely on qualifications, which can include licensing, industry certificates, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and gap training, with independent verification. All of this will, of course, depend on comparability with Australian equivalents.

Training and workplace assessment can be conducted by an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) either inside or outside Australia. Form 1 January 2009, training and assessments conducted outside Australia will be accepted only if that RTO is registered with AusLIST. Training or assessments conducted by RTOs within Australia are not subject to this restriction.

TRA would expect any training by RTOs to take an appropriate length of time for any particular occupation. While each case will be assessed on its merits, a Certificate III gained in a few days would most likely be closely scrutinised! Training that seems to be extraordinarily short or quick would be unlikely to be the trainee skills commensurate with Australian standards and expectations.

•2.    900 hours work experience.

Work experience, now more clearly defined as employment, can be counted once the applicant has a Certificate III. The work does not have to be at a highly skilled level from the outset. In the case of Cooks, for example, while 900 hours spent peeling potatoes or working at McDonalds will not satisfy the requirements, in the earlier period of the 900 hours period they may have done some of those things. The important thing is that over the 900 hours they can show that they have developed their skills and abilities as a Cook, so that by the end of the time they are cooking a wide range of recipes at a skilled level.

•3.    TRA will be introducing fillable and downloadable application forms

•4.    A completed, ready-to-assess TRA application is essential. TRA will not ask for missing documentation, they will simply refuse the application. With over 30,000 applications each year, any other procedure would badly affect their processing times of 10 days for MODL occupations and 20 days for others.

•5.    There is a recognition by TRA that no migration agent is in a position to know the comparability of every qualification, licence, etc, for every country. TRA has always been open to agents calling them prior to lodging applications if they have genuine uncertainties. While TRA cannot, at that enquiry stage, make a definitive statement about the outcome of an application, they may be able to indicate potential problems or give other advice.

•6.    Review and appeal options will be available.


•a.    Review: Applicants may lodge an application (which can include new evidence) for review if they do not agree with the original assessment.

This must be done within 90 days of the original assessment. There is a fee for this, which is refundable if the overturning of the original assessment is based on the evidence provided in the original application.

If the review is unsuccessful, a fresh skills assessment application can be lodged at any time.

•b.    Appeal: Applicants may lodge an appeal where they do not agree with the review outcome.

This must be done within 28 days of the review outcome and is free.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, a new skills assessment application in the same occupation cannot be lodged for a period of 6 months from the date of the appeal outcome.


From the above it looks like the RPL (recognition of prior learning) assessments which many applicants have begun relying on, will be the way to go.

For the full draft document the link is here:
http://mia.org.au/download/TRA_Migratio … y_2008.pdf

Cheers