TRA program by program
Each answer below is quoted or restated from TRA's own program pages and FAQs, read on 6 October 2026. TRA runs six programs; the Migration Points Advice program is left out because it is a points check, not a skills assessment.
| TRA program | Who it is for | English test required by TRA |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) | Recent graduates of a CRICOS-registered RTO applying for a 485 visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) | No: "From 16 January 2015, an IELTS test result is no longer an eligibility requirement for a PSA" |
| Job Ready Program (JRP) | Australian VET graduates working in Australia; a minimum 12-month employment-based assessment | Not stated by TRA |
| TSS Skills Assessment Program | Skills in Demand (subclass 482) applicants in listed occupations with a passport from a listed country | No, but the technical assessment is in English without assistance |
| Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) | Skilled migration visa applicants (not 485 or TSS) in listed occupations, usually from listed countries | No, but the technical assessment is in English without assistance |
| Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) | Documentary assessment for MLTSSL or STSOL trade occupations not covered by another TRA program | No: "An English language test is not required for the MSA Program" |
The technical assessment is in English
The TSS FAQ and the OSAP FAQ give the same answer: an IELTS test is not a requirement, "however you will be required to undertake a technical assessment in English without assistance. This may also include a practical demonstration." The assessment is done by an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
The TSS program is compulsory for 482 applicants who are Electrician (General) or Electrician (Special Class). The OSAP is compulsory for permanent migration as an Electrician (General), Electrician (Special Class), Plumber (General) or Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic. TRA quotes outcomes about 9 weeks (TSS) and 15 weeks (OSAP) after you submit complete evidence.
There is no score to reach, but you will be explaining your trade, tools and safety steps to an assessor in English. Practising those explanations aloud is the most direct preparation.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →PSA, JRP and MSA
The PSA FAQ answers "Is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) a requirement for the PSA?" with "No." A successful PSA outcome is valid for 3 years and is the entry point to the Job Ready Program, whose pages set no English test; the JRP confirms you can "follow complex written and verbal directions" at work. The MSA FAQ states that an English language test is not required for the MSA Program.
The English you need for the visa
TRA itself says: "For information about English language requirements and your visa application, please contact the Department of Home Affairs." For the 189, 190 and 491 visas, Competent English is IELTS 6 in each skill (Home Affairs, re-read 6 October 2026); see our 189, 190 and 491 guide. For the 482 see our 482 visa guide, and for the 485 our 485 visa guide.
Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the TRA OSAP FAQs page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates that page as read on 6 October 2026; it is not migration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does TRA require IELTS?+
No. TRA's FAQs say an English test is not required for the PSA, TSS, OSAP or MSA programs.
Can I use an interpreter in the TSS or OSAP technical assessment?+
TRA says the technical assessment is in English without assistance, and it may include a practical demonstration.
Do I need IELTS for the Provisional Skills Assessment?+
No. TRA says an IELTS result has not been an eligibility requirement for a PSA since 16 January 2015. The 485 visa itself has its own English rules from Home Affairs.
Which TRA program is compulsory for electricians?+
The TSS program for 482 applicants who are electricians, and the OSAP for permanent migration as an electrician, plumber or air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic.
What IELTS do tradespeople need for the 189 or 491 visa?+
At least Competent English: IELTS 6 in each skill, Academic or General Training. Higher scores earn points.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for the 482 visa
- IELTS for the 189, 190 and 491 visas
- IELTS for the 485 visa
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 6 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy