A Painting Trades Worker skills assessment may be required when a qualified and experienced painter is seeking to use the occupation Painting Trades Worker—ANZSCO 332211 for an eligible Australian skilled migration pathway.
Trades Recognition Australia, commonly known as TRA, is the relevant skills assessing authority for this occupation. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, Painting Trades Worker may be assessed through the Migration Skills Assessment Program, or MSA.
The MSA is a documentary-based assessment. TRA assesses the applicant’s qualifications and paid employment history against Australian standards for the nominated occupation. It does not ordinarily involve a Technical Interview, Practical Assessment or assessment through a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation.
Applicants should use TRA’s official Pathfinder tool and review the current program requirements before applying, as the correct assessment program may depend on factors such as the nominated occupation, passport country, country of study and intended visa pathway.
Occupation Details
Occupation: Painting Trades Worker
ANZSCO code: 332211
Skills assessing authority: Trades Recognition Australia
Relevant assessment program: Migration Skills Assessment Program, where the applicant meets the MSA eligibility requirements
Comparable Australian qualification: Certificate III in Painting and Decorating—CPC30620
What Is the Migration Skills Assessment Program?
The Migration Skills Assessment Program assesses whether an applicant’s qualification and employment history are comparable with Australian standards for the nominated occupation.
The assessment considers two main standards:
- the Australian Qualifications Framework, or AQF; and
- the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, or ANZSCO.
The MSA Program is generally intended for applicants seeking a skilled migration visa who are not required to apply through another TRA assessment program.
Is Painting Trades Worker Assessed Under OSAP?
Painting Trades Worker is listed as an occupation that may be assessed under the MSA Program.
It should not automatically be described as an OSAP occupation. OSAP applies only where the applicant’s occupation, passport country and other circumstances require assessment through that program, or where an eligible applicant chooses an available OSAP pathway.
Applicants should confirm the correct program through the official TRA Pathfinder before lodging an application.
Who May Apply Through the MSA Program?
An applicant may be eligible for the MSA Program where:
- TRA is the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation;
- the occupation is available under the MSA Program;
- the qualification or apprenticeship is directly relevant to Painting Trades Worker;
- the applicant has directly relevant paid employment;
- the applicant is not required to apply through OSAP or another TRA program; and
- the intended visa pathway is compatible with the MSA Program.
An applicant is not eligible for MSA where, among other exclusions:
- the applicant’s occupation and passport country require assessment through OSAP;
- the applicant is applying for a Temporary Graduate visa, Subclass 485;
- the applicant is applying for a Skills in Demand or Temporary Skill Shortage visa, Subclass 482; or
- the nominated occupation is one of the licensed occupations excluded from MSA.
Painting Trades Worker is not one of the four licensed occupations specifically excluded from the MSA Program.
Qualification Requirements
For Painting Trades Worker, the qualification must be directly relevant to painting and decorating.
The Australian qualification currently identified by TRA for this occupation is:
CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating.
Applicants with an overseas qualification must demonstrate that it is comparable to the relevant Australian trade qualification.
TRA may consider evidence such as:
- the qualification certificate;
- complete academic transcripts;
- subjects or units completed;
- training duration;
- apprenticeship documents;
- institutional information; and
- evidence showing the practical and theoretical content of the training.
A qualification in an unrelated construction occupation should not automatically be treated as suitable for Painting Trades Worker. For example, a Certificate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining is not the nominated Australian qualification for Painting Trades Worker.
Employment Requirements
Under the current MSA guidelines, applicants must demonstrate at least:
- three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, paid employment directly relevant to the nominated occupation; and
- 12 months of full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant employment within the three years immediately before applying to TRA.
The employment may have been completed before, during or after the relevant comparable qualification.
TRA generally treats full-time Australian employment as 38 hours per week unless an applicable industrial award provides otherwise. Part-time employment is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Therefore, the article should not state that every applicant requires “three to four years” of employment. The published MSA requirement is three years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid employment, together with the recency requirement.
Typical Tasks of a Painting Trades Worker
A Painting Trades Worker applies paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate buildings and structures.
Tasks may include:
- erecting ladders or scaffolding and placing protective coverings around work areas;
- removing old paint and wallpaper;
- repairing woodwork and filling holes or cracks;
- sanding, smoothing, sealing and preparing surfaces;
- selecting and mixing paint to achieve the required colour and finish;
- applying paint, varnish and stains using brushes, rollers or spraying equipment;
- hanging wallpaper, matching patterns and trimming edges;
- cleaning painting tools, equipment and work areas;
- following workplace health and safety procedures; and
- calculating materials and preparing work areas.
The employment evidence should describe the applicant’s actual duties. Duties should not simply be copied from ANZSCO, TRA or another online source. TRA specifically advises that duties stated in an application must reflect the work genuinely performed.
Documents Required for an MSA Application
Applicants are generally required to provide documentary evidence covering identity, qualifications and employment.
Identity evidence
- passport identification page.
TRA generally requires only the passport page containing the applicant’s photograph and personal details.
Qualification evidence
- final qualification certificate;
- complete academic transcripts;
- apprenticeship documents, where applicable; and
- other evidence showing the content and duration of the training.
Employment evidence
For each employment period claimed, applicants may need to provide:
- a completed MSA Employer Template;
- evidence of the employer’s business operations;
- payslips;
- bank statements showing salary deposits;
- taxation records;
- government employment records;
- superannuation records, where applicable; and
- other independent evidence supporting the employment claim.
Self-employment evidence
Self-employed applicants may need to provide:
- business registration;
- tax documentation;
- invoices;
- customer or supplier evidence;
- bank records;
- contracts;
- evidence of business activities; and
- documents demonstrating the painting work personally completed by the applicant.
TRA may request additional documents or conduct verification where required.
Protecting Personal Information
Before submitting bank statements, taxation records or similar evidence, applicants should remove or cover sensitive information that TRA does not need.
This may include:
- Tax File Numbers;
- bank account numbers;
- unrelated personal transactions; and
- information unrelated to the skills assessment.
Relevant salary deposits and identifying information required to verify the evidence should remain visible.
Translation Requirements
Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by an acceptable English translation.
Applicants should follow TRA’s current translation requirements and provide both:
- a clear copy of the original-language document; and
- the corresponding English translation.
The translation should accurately represent the complete original document.
MSA Application Process
Step 1: Confirm the correct assessment program
Use the TRA Pathfinder and review the MSA eligibility criteria. Do not assume MSA applies solely because the occupation is listed under the program.
Step 2: Register through the TRA Online Portal
MSA applications are submitted directly through TRA’s Online Portal.
Step 3: Complete the application
Provide accurate information about:
- identity;
- qualifications;
- apprenticeship or training;
- employment history; and
- the nominated occupation.
Step 4: Upload supporting evidence
Upload the required qualification, employment and pay evidence for every period being claimed.
Step 5: Review and submit
Check the complete application, pay the TRA assessment fee and submit it through the Online Portal.
Step 6: Assessment and verification
TRA reviews the documents and may contact:
- employers;
- referees;
- training providers;
- government authorities; or
- other relevant organisations.
Additional information may be requested where the available evidence is incomplete or cannot be independently verified.
Step 7: Assessment outcome
TRA issues the applicant with an assessment outcome after completing the assessment.
Unlike OSAP, the standard MSA process does not include separate Documentary Evidence and Technical Interview stages.
Is There a Technical Interview or Practical Assessment?
Normally, no.
The MSA Program is a documentary-based assessment. Applicants do not ordinarily complete:
- an OSAP Technical Interview;
- a Practical Assessment; or
- an assessment conducted by a TRA-approved RTO.
The application is lodged directly with TRA through its Online Portal.
TRA may still verify documents, contact relevant parties or request additional evidence. This should not be described as an OSAP Technical Interview or Practical Assessment.
MSA Application Fee
As at July 2026, the published TRA fee for a Migration Skills Assessment is:
AUD $795
The published fee for an MSA review, where required, is:
AUD $610
Fees may change, so applicants should confirm the current amount on the official TRA website before applying.
Processing Time
TRA currently advises that an MSA application may take approximately 120 days to process and finalise after submission.
This is an indicative timeframe only. Processing may take longer where:
- information is incomplete;
- employment or qualifications require further verification;
- external organisations take time to respond; or
- TRA is experiencing a high application volume.
Does a Positive Skills Assessment Guarantee a Visa?
No.
A positive TRA skills assessment confirms the assessment outcome for the nominated occupation. It does not:
- guarantee a visa;
- guarantee an invitation;
- guarantee state or territory nomination;
- confirm visa eligibility;
- award migration points;
- grant an Australian qualification; or
- provide an occupational licence.
Visa applications, invitations and nominations are assessed separately by the relevant government authority.
Applicants should confirm visa and migration requirements with the Department of Home Affairs or obtain assistance from an appropriately authorised migration professional.
Licensing and Registration
TRA does not issue occupational licences or registrations through an MSA outcome.
Painting or building-related licensing requirements may differ between Australian states and territories. Applicants intending to work in Australia should check the requirements of the relevant state or territory regulator.
A positive skills assessment does not automatically authorise a person to perform work that requires a licence.
Common Reasons an Application May Face Difficulties
An application may be delayed or unsuccessful where:
- the qualification is not directly relevant;
- the required employment period has not been demonstrated;
- the recent employment requirement is not met;
- duties do not sufficiently align with Painting Trades Worker;
- employment is unpaid or cannot be verified;
- reference information conflicts with payslips, bank records or taxation evidence;
- the employer cannot be verified as an operating business;
- self-employment documents are insufficient;
- documents contain unexplained inconsistencies; or
- the wrong TRA assessment program is selected.
How Number One Service Can Assist
Number One Service provides skills assessment support services for applicants seeking assessment as a Painting Trades Worker.
Our services may include:
- an initial review of qualifications and employment;
- assistance identifying documentary requirements;
- review of employment evidence;
- guidance on the MSA Employer Template;
- document organisation and application preparation;
- support with self-employment evidence;
- assistance responding to requests for additional information; and
- ongoing administrative support during the assessment process.
The final decision is made solely by Trades Recognition Australia. No service provider can guarantee a positive assessment or visa outcome.
Contact Number One Service
Phone: 0420 984 624 | 0421 300 976
WhatsApp: +61 420 984 624
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.numberoneservice.com.au
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the TRA Migration Skills Assessment Program and the occupation Painting Trades Worker—ANZSCO 332211. It does not constitute migration advice, immigration assistance or legal advice.
Assessment programs, fees, processing times, occupation lists and documentary requirements may change. Applicants should review the current Trades Recognition Australia and Department of Home Affairs information before submitting an application or making a migration-related decision.
Number One Service provides skills assessment support services. Visa-related advice should be obtained from a registered migration agent, an Australian legal practitioner or another authorised person where appropriate.
