General Information
In April 2009 the Australian Government announced a range of changes to the Skilled Worker Temporary Visa Subclass 457 in order to ensure that it continues to provide Australian industry with overseas workers with needed skills, while not undermining training and employment opportunities for Australians.
From 1 July 2009 employer sponsored temporary workers applying for a 457 visa in the following trades: Welder (First Class); Motor Mechanic; Cook/ Chef; Fitter; and Metal Fabricator and from an initial group of 10 countries must undertake a skills assessment. Skills assessment for other trades and countries will be introduced progressively.
A skills assessment is one part of a 457 visa application. Other requirements include employer sponsorship and a minimum English language requirement of IELTS 5. It is important that you look at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website to make sure that you understand the current requirements for applying for a 457 visa visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/
The Australian Government, through Trades Recognition Australia, has approved the Hospitality Training Association Inc. (HTA) to conduct formal skills assessments for 457 visa applicants from nominated countries in the trade/s cook/chef.
The first step of the process is completing the self evaluation program called TradeSET. This self evaluation is available on the TRA website so applicants can check that their skills and experiece match those required to work in their trade in Australia before they apply to an RTO for formal skills assessment.
Skills assessments will be conducted by Australian Registered Training Organisations against industry endorsed Australian qualifications for those trades.
The Australian Government, through Trades Recognition Australia, will be monitoring the new skills assessment service for 457 visa applicants.
To download a copy of the 5 Step Process for applying for a skills assessment click here.
Important Information
HTA has been appointed to conduct skills assessments for the occupation of cook/chef. For a description of the required skills and competencies for this occupation please click here.
HTA has been appointed to conduct skills assessments for the following countries:
- Brazil
- China
- Fiji
- India
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
In addition to a successful outcome on a skills assessment applicants will also require:
- employer sponsorship
- minimum English language ability of IELTS 5
HTA will assume that all applicants have the minimum English language requirement (IELTS 5) for the purpose of the skills assessment. No interpreters will be permitted throughout the process.
Outline of Assessment Process
Submit your TradeSET Report, a completed HTA Application Form, a completed HTA Evidence Profile and certified, coloured copies of all of your supporting evidence.
If the evidence provided is satisfactory HTA will schedule a technical interview where you will be required to answer questions related to the trade. This interview will be conducted via video link (through Skype or a similar program) and candidates will require a viedo cam and an internet connection. The assessment will be conducted in plain English and the assessor will be qualified in the trade area being assessed.
Fees
Fees are outlined below.
Please note that fees are paid in two installments. Your assessment will not commence until the first installment payment has been received. The second installment, for the technical interview stage, must be paid prior to the interview taking place. Should an applicant request a review of the assessment outcome a review fee is payable. This fee is due prior to the review taking place but if the initial assessment result is found to have been incorrect this fee will be refunded to the applicant. For full details please contact HTA and ask for a copy of the Complaints & Appeals Policy or the Refund Policy.
All fees are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and HTA will not accept payment in any other form.
| Paper Based Assessment Fee |
$1,200 |
| Technical Interview Fee |
$1,200 |
| Total Skills Assessment Fee |
$2,400 |
| Assessment Outcome Review Fee |
$300 |
Useful Links
Application for Skills Assessment
In order to apply for a skills assessment HTA will require:
- A copy of the TradeSET Report generated from your self assessment.
- A completed application form.
- A completed Evidence Profile along with certified, colour copies of all supporting evidence.
Once you have all of this information you can:
- Post it to HTA at PO Box 906, Fortitude Valley Q 4006, Australia
- Email it to 457visa@hta.org.au
Download an Application Form.
Download an Evidence Profile.
Online application coming soon.
Contact Information
HTA's Office is open from 8.00am to 5.00pm
For all enquiries please call + 61 7 3872 4200 or email 457visa@hta.org.au |
