Study, Work & Live in Australia as Plumber
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Do you want to visit, study, work, and live in Australia as a plumber? Are you searching to get detailed information regarding working as a plumber in Australia? If yes, then keep on reading our article written by one of the best migration agents in Sydney, as we have curated specific information on the above topic. Stay hooked and you would get facts and figures regarding the demand of plumbers in Australia, PR pathways to Australia, visa options, and other related information.
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Demand for Plumbers in Australia
Due to the changing trends and booming construction industry in Australia, the demand for certain trades, in this industry, has shown an upsurge. By 2021, the demand for professionals in this industry is expected to exceed 1,282,000 by 2024.
Figure 1: Industry cluster snapshot
The construction industry primarily focuses on building, demolition, renovation, maintenance, and other related activities. As a result, the demand for professions like plumber, architect, and electricians, among others, has increased to a certain level. Between 2020 and 2024, it is expected that VET-related occupations such as Building and Plumbing Labourers are going to grow by around 11%.
So, this article is all about a detailed guide regarding working as a plumber in Australia. That being said, this is just a guide and does not intend to guarantee an Australia Permanent Residency (PR) unless the applicants’ skills. If you want to learn more, you can contact a qualified migration agent.
PR pathway to Australia from the Qualification
Step 1 – Enrol for a Certificate 111 plumbing
To get enhanced in-demand skills in plumbing, it is essential that international students enroll in a recognized Certificate III in Plumbing. In this course, you can learn the needed practical skills along with the foundational knowledge of plumbing, which can make you ready to work as a plumber in Australia.
The minimum requirement to study Certificate III in Plumbing (VET National Code- CPC32413) include:
- 5 overall in IELTS or its equivalent
- A minimum of Year 12 or equivalent level of secondary education
Course fees:
- All-inclusive fee- $AU 16,000
Course duration– Up to 52 weeks
CRICOS Code of plumbing – 089369J
Step 2 – Enrol for a Certificate IV Plumbing
If you want to gain expert knowledge and skills in the field of plumbing, you can join a Certificate IV Plumbing course. The eligibility to join this certificate program is the successful completion of Certificate III in Plumbing. This course can help you extend your technical skills and knowledge via classroom teaching sessions and work-based tasks.
The minimum requirement, for international students, to study Certificate IV (VET National Code- CPC40912) in Plumbing include:
- 5 overall in IELTS or its equivalent
- A minimum of Year 12 or equivalent level of secondary education
- Successful completion of the Certificate III in Plumbing or equivalent
Course fees:
- All-inclusive fee- $AU 16,000
Course duration– Up to 52 weeks
CRICOS Code – 089368K
After completing your Certificate IV Plumbing course, you can apply for Trades Recognition Australia, also known as TRA, to work as a plumber in Australia. TRA assesses the skills, qualifications, and employment eligibilities of overseas students to match them with Australian standards for migration purposes. If you have completed the Certificate IV Plumbing course and are looking forward to applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you can apply for a Job Ready Program (JRP).
Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
After completing the Certificate IV Plumbing course, you can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) undergraduate stream. This subclass of visas allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. For this, however, you would need to get Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) from Trade Recognition Australia (TRA).
Eligibility criteria to get a 485 visa, include:
- Completion of a CRICOS-registered course
- Have 6 overall but no less than 5 in any module in IELTS
- Your nominated occupation is required to be in MLTSSL
If your submitted documents are all correct and your application has been approved then the 485 visas will be granted for the duration of one and half years (18 months).
Increase PR to Australia with Job Ready Program (JRP)
Just completing a CRICOS registered course will not guarantee your permanent residence in Australia. You can increase your Australian Permanent Residency or PR with Job Ready Program or JRP. It is an employment-based skills assessment program for international students who have graduated with an Australian qualification. A JRP helps international students to gain employment experience in an Australian workplace before applying to the Department of Home Affairs for a skills migration visa. In this case, it can increase your chance to work as a plumber in Australia on a permanent basis.
The JRP is a step program, and you will need to complete each step to proceed forward. Please see the below steps to learn more.
Step 1- Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA):
As we have already mentioned, PSA is required to apply for a 485 visa. To be eligible for a PSA, you must:
- Hold an international student visa to study in Australia
- Have a qualification relevant to an occupation assessed by TRA, and awarded by a CRICOS RTO
- Have the proof of work/ vocational placement of a minimum of 360 hours relating to your qualification and nominated occupation
You can apply for PSA only after the completion of your studies.
Step 2- Job Ready Employment (JRE):
The successful completion of PSA would open the scope for undertaking JRE. JRE helps international students to gain in-depth knowledge and experience in an Australian workplace to enhance the skills relevant to their occupation.
To be eligible for a JRE, you must:
- Have successfully completed the PSA
- Apply to the Department of Home Affairs for, a visa that has unrestricted work rights, and
- Provides sufficient time for you to complete Steps 2 to 4 of the JRP
- Have secured eligible employment in the same or related occupation assessed during your PSA
Step 3- Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA):
This is the 3rd step of JRP. JRWA helps to assess your ability to work at the required skill level for your occupation in an Australian workplace.
To be eligible for a JRE, you must:
- Have been employed in your occupation for at least 863 hours over a minimum of six months from your JRE start date
- Produced Job Ready Journals spanning a minimum of 6 months approved by TRA
Step 4- Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA):
The final step of JRP is JRFA. JRFA formally recognise that you have successfully completed your JRP program. The outcome of JRFA can support the Department of Home Affairs for a skilled migration visa.
To be eligible for a JRFA, you must:
- Have successfully completed the JRWA
- Have completed the employment requirements of JRE
- Provide proof of paid employment in your occupation for at least 1725 hours over a minimum of 12 months from your JRE start date
Consult a migration agent for professional consultation
The JRP program can be a tedious process. Also, its success is crucial for the application of permanent residency in Australia. So, to make the whole process less cumbersome, you can consult a registered migration agent for professional consultation on the visa process, JRP program, and other necessities to work as a plumber in Australia on a permanent basis.
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