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.
Pictured: Migrant chef in a WA restaurant kitchen with Australian chef.
*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 licence 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.
Download a copy of the Information sheet - Requirements for migrant plumbers in Western Australia(PDF document - opens in a new tab)[PDF 346 KB].
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).
To view approved WA RTOs, visit the RTO Finder on TRA’s website(opens in a new tab).
The skills assessment process includes several stages:
- Documentary Evidence Assessment to review your qualifications and experience.
- Technical Interview to assess your technical knowledge.
- Practical Assessment where you do work-based tasks to show your plumbing skills.
The technical and practical assessments can be completed in your home country if your RTO has a local facility. Otherwise, these assessments need to be completed in Australia.
Further information on the skills assessment process is available on the Trades Recognition Australia website(opens in a new tab).
Once you receive your OTSR, you will be able to apply for a Provisional Licence through the Western Australian Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS). A Provisional Tradesperson’s Licence is issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board, which is a section of LGIRS.
Once you receive your Provisional Tradesperson’s Licence you can start working under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or the holder of a Tradesperson’s Licence for up to 12 months while you complete Australian context training.
The assessment process for OTSR is to assess your technical skills, however there is also important knowledge specific to the Australian industry, such as work health and safety regulations, codes of practice and other Australian standards that you will not have gained as an overseas trained plumber.
You must complete Australian context training to meet Australian industry requirements by completing either the full CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing qualification or the 52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing.
For Australian context training course details, information and requirements, see the tab “52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing”.
The 52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing addresses gaps in migrant plumbers’ knowledge to the Australian context. The Course ensures that the Australian Standards are understood, using a blend of theory and practical tasks.
There are eight units of competency in the course:
- CPCPCM2043 Carry out WHS requirements;
- CPCPWT3022 Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices;
- CPCPDR2026 Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers;
- CPCPDR3021 Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems;
- CPCPDR3023 Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems;
- CPCPSN3022 Install discharge pipes;
- CPCPCM3024 Prepare simple drawings; and
- CPCPSN3025 Install pre-treatment facilities.
As well as the units listed above, you also need to complete a minimum of 500 hours of work-based experience over eight months. Evidence of your work-based experience needs to be recorded in a logbook, and signed by the supervisor and the RTO.
There are some pre-requisites that you must complete before you start 52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing. In addition to having an OTSR, a Provisional Tradesperson’s Licence and working with a fully licensed plumber, you will also need to have:
- A Unique Student Identifier (USI) Number (www.usi.gov.au(opens in a new tab));
- Completed HLTAID011 Provide First Aid;
- Proof of ID (Driver’s Licence or Passport); and
- A copy of Construction Induction Training Card (White Card).
At the time of publishing this information, the 52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing is being delivered by the following RTOs:
Further information on course availability, location, duration and course fees are available through the website links above.
For up to date information about RTOs delivering 52915WA Course in Migrant Plumbing, visit the training.gov.au(opens in a new tab) website.
Once you have completed either the Certificate III in Plumbing qualification or the Course in Migrant Plumbing, you can apply for a Plumbing Tradesperson’s licence with LGIRS.(opens in a new tab)
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 Trades Recognition Australia’s 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 Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) by completing the refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics application form(opens in a new tab).
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) |
Pictured: International student checking her peers pulse in a hospital setting.
