Global Select Education and Migration Services
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Trade Courses in Australia: A Pathway to a Rewarding Career

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Australia’s booming construction and trade industry offers numerous opportunities for skilled workers. Pursuing a trade course in Australia is an excellent way to gain the hands-on skills and qualifications needed for a successful career in fields like carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, civil construction, design, and painting. Here, we'll explore the details of these trade courses, including course duration, skills assessment requirements, fees, and recent updates on the invitation round results for visa applications. All of the below trade courses are assessed by Vetassess.

1. Carpentry

Carpentry is one of the most sought-after trades in Australia, with demand for skilled carpenters consistently high.  

  • Certificate III including at least 2 years of on-the-job training or AQF Certificate IV
  • 180, 190, 491 and all visa types eligible (7 Nov 2024, 189 invited at 65 points)
  • AUD 20,000- 32,000 for total course.
  • Skills Assessment: TRA
  • PTE/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent

2. Wall and Floor Tiling

Tiling is a vital trade in the construction industry, especially with the rise in new housing and renovation projects. A Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling generally takes 2 years to complete.

  • Certificate III including at least 2 years of on-the-job training or AQF Certificate IV
  • 180, 190, 491 and all visa types eligible (7 Nov 2024, 189 invited at 65 points)
  • AUD 20,000- 30,000 for total course.
  • PTE/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
  • Skills Assessment: TRA

3. Bricklaying

Bricklaying is another essential trade, particularly in building new homes and commercial structures. A Certificate III in Bricklaying and Block laying can typically be completed in 2 years.

  • Certificate III including at least 2 years of on-the-job training or AQF Certificate IV
  • 180, 190, 491 and all visa types eligible (7 Nov 2024, 189 invited at 65 points)
  • AUD 33,000- 35,000 for total course.
  • PTE/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
  • Skills Assessment: TRA

4. Civil Construction and Design

For those interested in large-scale infrastructure projects, civil construction and design courses are a perfect fit. These courses often take 1 to 2 years to complete and can be pursued through both on-the-job training or formal education.

  • Certificate III including at least 2 years of on-the-job training or AQF Certificate IV
  • 180, 190, 491 and all visa types eligible (7 Nov 2024, 189 invited from 65-85  points)
  • AUD 20,000- 27,000 for total course.
  • PTE/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
  • Skills Assessment: EA and VETASSESS

5. Painting and Decorating

The demand for professional painters and decorators remains strong in Australia. A Certificate III in Painting and Decorating usually takes 2 to 3 years to complete, providing essential skills in both residential and commercial painting.

  • Certificate III including at least 2 years of on-the-job training or AQF Certificate IV
  • 189, 190, 491 and all visa types eligible (7 Nov 2024, 189 invited from 65-85  points)
  • AUD 20,000- 23,000 for total course.
  • PTE/IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
  • Skills Assessment: TRA

Key Points:

  • Carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, civil construction, and painting are essential trades with strong demand across Australia.
  • Course costs range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 35,000 depending on the trade.
  • Course can be completed in 1 year as a fast-track with half the total price (depending on the course, provider and visa type)  
  • Students must pass skills assessments through TRA or VETASSESS, with PTE/IELTS scores of 5.5  not less that 5 or equivalent.
  • Various visa options (180, 190, 491) are available, with recent invitations for skilled migrants based on points (65+).
  • The courses generally take 1 to 3 years to complete, with strong prospects for employment post-graduation.
  • After competing 92 week course, TR of 18 months
  • Skilled assessment takes 1 year to complete and can be started after completing the course

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CourseBachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeRequirements or ConsiderationsEnglish Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)Tuition Fees (per year for international students)Top Universities
Nursing
3 years1-2 yearsClinical placements required; may need specific health immunizations.Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93.AUD $30,000 - $45,000University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University
Information Technology
3-4 years1-2 yearsMay require programming skills or prior coursework in IT.Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93.AUD $30,000 - $50,000Australian National University, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne
Accounting
3 years1-2 yearsNeed to meet accreditation standards by professional bodies.Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93.AUD $30,000 - $40,000University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland
Engineering (various fields)
4 years1-2 yearsStrong background in mathematics and physics required.Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93.AUD $35,000 - $45,000University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, Monash University
Social Work
4 years1-2 yearsPractical experience or placements required.Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101.AUD $28,000 - $40,000University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland
Education (various fields)
4 years1-2 yearsA police clearance and working with children check required.Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101.AUD $28,000 - $35,000University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University
Psychology
3 years1-2 yearsRequires strong research and psychological theory understanding.Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101.AUD $30,000 - $45,000University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland
Occupational Therapy
3-4 years1-2 yearsMay require pre-registration or relevant clinical experience.Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101.AUD $30,000 - $45,000University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Curtin University
Architecture
3-4 years2 yearsIncludes technical and creative coursework, portfolio may be required.Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93.AUD $35,000 - $50,000University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University
Medicine and  Health Sciences
5-6 years2-4 yearsHighly competitive entry, includes clinical placements and internships.Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101.AUD $45,000 - $70,000University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Australian National University
State/TerritorySubclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa)
New South Wales (NSW)Required for some occupationsRequired for some occupations and regions
Victoria (VIC)RequiredRequired
Queensland (QLD)Not typically required, conditions applyRequired for some occupations and regions
South Australia (SA)Not typically required, conditions applyRequired for some occupations and regions
Western Australia (WA)Not typically requiredNot typically required
Tasmania (TAS)Not typically required, conditions applyNot typically required, conditions apply
Northern Territory (NT)Not typically requiredNot typically required
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)Required, uses Matrix systemRequired, uses Matrix system