When you arrive in Western Australia (WA) it can be useful to get recognition of your overseas qualifications and skills to help you find employment or enrol in further study.
Even if you have already had your skills assessed as part of a visa application, there may be further steps you will need to complete once you arrive.
*The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations code(opens in a new tab)
Trade-specific licensing
To work in Australia in a licensed trade you must meet strict safety standards and hold an occupational licence. To get an occupational license you must complete a skills assessment for a licensed trade.
You will then receive an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR), which is a nationally recognised document that entitles the holder to a provisional licence. You can then:
- use your OTSR to apply for a provisional or trainee licence, which allows you to start working under supervision; and
- start the Australian context training which gives you the Australian specific knowledge and experience needed to apply for a full licence and complete the remaining units of the Australian qualification (normally a Certificate III).
Each Australian state and territory has different Australian context training and licensing requirements. Information for other states and territories can be found on the Licence recognition website(opens in a new tab).
We have gathered some information on how to get your licence in WA for the following trades.
Electrician
An electrical licence is required to work as an electrician (general) or electrician (special class) in WA. The following information sets out the steps required to get a licence.
An OTSR records the technical skills demonstrated against the relevant Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
To get an OTSR, you must complete a skills assessment through a Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Visit the RTO Finder(opens in a new tab) to view approved WA RTOs.
Once you receive your OTSR, you can apply for a provisional licence.
This will allow you to start working under the supervision of a holder of a current full electrician's licence while you complete the Australian context training.
Submit your provisional license application and OTSR to Building and Energy(opens in a new tab).
Once you have received a provisional license, you can enrol to complete the Australian context gap training, which will consist of:
- completing up to 12 months on the job work experience with a licensed electrician, and providing evidence of experience gained on the job; and
- completion of the nationally accredited Australian context gap training course at a Building and Energy approved RTO(opens in a new tab).
There are currently six approved RTOs in WA.
- Central Regional TAFE(opens in a new tab)
- College of Electrical Training(opens in a new tab)
- North Metropolitan TAFE(opens in a new tab)
- North Regional TAFE(opens in a new tab)
- South Metropolitan TAFE(opens in a new tab)
- South Regional TAFE(opens in a new tab)
Your chosen RTO can provide you with more information on what is required.
Once you have successfully completed the Australian context gap training, you are required to complete a practical assessment.
Upon successfully completing the practical assessment, you will receive your Australian context training certificate.
You can now apply for the Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) qualification through the RTO that delivered your Australian context training or the RTO that conducted your skills assessment.
Once you have received your Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) qualification, you can apply for an occupational electrical licence(opens in a new tab) with Building and Energy.
Plumber
A licence is required to work as a plumber (general) in WA. The following information sets out the steps required to get a licence.
An OTSR records the technical skills demonstrated against the relevant Australian VET qualification.
To get an OTSR, you must complete a skills assessment through a Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Visit the RTO Finder(opens in a new tab) to view approved WA RTOs.
Once you receive your OTSR, you can apply for a provisional licence.
This will allow you to start working under the supervision of a holder of a current full plumber’s licence while you complete the Australian context training.
Submit your provisional license application and OTSR to Building and Energy(opens in a new tab).
Once you have received a provisional license, you can enrol to complete the Australian context gap training, which will consist of:
- completing up to 12 months on the job work experience with a licensed Plumber, and providing evidence of experience gained on the job; and
- completion of the nationally accredited Australian context gap training course at an Building and Energy(opens in a new tab) approved RTO.
Once you have received your Certificate III Plumbing qualification, you can apply for a Plumbing Tradesperson’s licence(opens in a new tab) with Building and Energy. If you wish to work with gas, you will also require a G class gas permit(opens in a new tab).
If you are interested in supervising or certifying plumbing work, or submitting notices to the Plumbers' Licensing Board, you can apply for a plumbing contractor's licence(opens in a new tab) which may require further training.
For further information on the licensing of plumbers in other Australian states and territories visit the Licence recognition website(opens in a new tab).
Refrigeration and airconditioning mechanic
In WA refrigeration and airconditioning mechanics are required to undertake both refrigeration and airconditioning work, and electrical work, and need two licences:
- the Refrigerant Handling Licence; and
- the Refrigeration and Airconditioning Mechanics Licence.
In most circumstances you will need to be employed to apply for a trainee licence and enrol in the Australian context training. If you are not employed, you will need to discuss your situation with the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) and your chosen registered training organisation (RTO).
An OTSR records the technical skills demonstrated against the relevant Australian VET qualification.
To get an OTSR, you must complete a skills assessment through a Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Visit the RTO Finder(opens in a new tab) to view approved WA RTOs.
Once you receive your OTSR, you can apply for a Trainee licence(opens in a new tab).
You will need to submit your OTSR and your Supervisors declaration to the ARC(opens in a new tab).
You will need to apply to the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry regulation and Safety (DMIRS) by completing the refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics application form(opens in a new tab).
You will need to get an approval letter from DMIRS to attend an Electrical Licensing Board approved WA RTO.
This will allow you to start working under the supervision of a holder of a current full Refrigerant Handling Licence while you complete the Australian context gap training to receive the required trade qualification.
Once you have received a Trainee license, you can enrol to complete the Australian context gap training. This will consist of:
- completing up to 12 months on the job work experience with a licensed refrigeration and airconditioning mechanic, and providing evidence of experience gained on the job; and
- completion of the nationally accredited Australian context gap training course at an Energy Skills Australia approved RTO(opens in a new tab).
Once you have received your Certificate III qualification, you can apply for:
-
a full Refrigerant Handling Licence via the ARC website(opens in a new tab); and
- a Refrigeration and airconditioning mechanics licence(opens in a new tab). You may be required to undertake further training for this.
Contact Licensing Services on +61 8 6251 2000 (during office hours) or email electricallicensing@dmirs.wa.gov.au for further information.
For more information on the licencing of refrigeration and airconditioning mechanics in other Australian states and territories visit the Licence recognition website(opens in a new tab).
Other occupational registrations and licenses
Some occupations require licensing or registration before you will be permitted to work in WA.
Please note that a positive skills assessment and State nomination do not guarantee you will meet the licensing or registration requirements of the relevant licensing or registration authority. Please follow the links below to find out more about these requirements.
| Occupation | Licensing or registration authority | License | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architect | Architects Board of WA(opens in a new tab) | ||
| Engineer | National Engineering Register(opens in a new tab) | ||
| Teacher | Teachers Registration Board of WA(opens in a new tab) | ||
| Medical Practitioners | Medical Registration Board(opens in a new tab) | ||
| Painting practitioner | Skills Certified(opens in a new tab) |
