Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Ozlinks Education
Plumber (General) Skills Assessment & Visa Options
Skill Level: 3 | Assessing Authority: TRA
If you are a General Plumber wanting to migrate to Australia under a skilled migration program such as visa 189, visa 190, visa 491, or visa 494, you must complete the compulsory skill assessment. This is one of the most important requirements for your visa application.
Job Descriptions
A General Plumber installs and repairs water, drainage, gas and sewerage pipes and systems other than water-based fire protection systems. Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks include
- preparing and/or studying plans and specifications to work out the layout of plumbing systems and materials needed.
- finding and marking positions for connections
- cutting holes through walls and floors to accommodate pipes.
- measuring pipes and marking cutting or bending lines
- cutting, threading and bending pipes, assembling and installing piping, valves and fittings, joining pipe sections and securing pipes.
- testing lines as required by local plumbing regulations.
- installing equipment such as boilers, pumps, heating and cooling systems, gas appliances, water tanks, water heaters, solar water heating systems, and fixtures such as toilets, wash basins and industrial processing units
- maintaining and repairing plumbing systems
ANZSCO Skill Level 3
Occupations within this unit group require ANSCO skill level 3, corresponding to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and experience detailed below.
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or
- AQF Certificate IV
Occupations:
- 334111 Plumber (General)
- 334112 Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
- 334113 Drainer
- 334114 Gasfitter
- 334115 Roof Plumber
- 334117 Fire Protection Plumber
Skills Assessment
Assessing Authority: TRA
A skills assessment determines whether you have the required skills and experience to work in Australia at the appropriate level for the ANZSCO 334111 Plumber (General) occupation. To support your skills assessment application, you have to provide employment evidence documents such as references from your employers, detailed job descriptions, and any relevant qualifications along with your technical skills portfolio. It is essential to effectively demonstrate your abilities to achieve a positive outcome in your skills assessment.
Migration Skills Assessment
Why is a migration skills assessment mandatory?
If you are an Electrician (General) seeking to immigrate to Australia under the General Skills Migration subclass 189, subclass 190, or subclass 491 skilled points-based visa, it is crucial to complete the required skills assessment, as this is a mandatory requirement.
Mandatory skill assessments for Subclass 186
All applicants wishing to immigrate to Australia under the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 visa direct entry stream must obtain a positive skills assessment.
Mandatory skill assessments for Subclass 482
If you are an ANZSCO 334111 Plumber (General) seeking to immigrate to Australia to work for an employer under the subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa and you hold a passport from one of the following countries: Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa or Vietnam, you are required to complete the mandatory skills assessment unless you qualify for an exemption. For more information, click here.
*Upon completion of the skills assessment, you will receive an Offshore Technical Skills Record
Skills Assessment Pathway
There are two skills assessment pathways either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 depends on whether you have or don’t have an accepted Australian qualification.
Pathway 1: You don't have an Australian qualification
As part of the skill assessment criteria, you must have:
- 6 years of work experience without formal training, or
- 4 years of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) at the required skill level, with relevant formal training, and
- At least 12 months of full-time relevant work experience within the last 3 years.
Pathway 2 - You do have an Australian qualification
As part of the skill assessment criteria, you must have:
- An Australian qualification including a Statement of Results, and
- 4 years of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) at the required skill level, and
- At least 12 months of full-time relevant work experience within the last 3 years.
Skills Assessment Process
The skills assessment process for the occupation consists of three steps:
1-Documentary Evidence
The first step in the skills assessment process is to submit your application along with all required supporting documents. This submission relates to either pathway 1 or pathway 2, which must include evidence of your employment and qualifications for approval.
2-Technical Interview
A technical interview is usually held either in person or via a video call with an assessor. During this interview, the assessor will ask a range of questions related to the skills and knowledge pertinent to your occupation. Typically, this interview lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours.
3- Practical Assessment
As part of your practical assessment, you will be required to complete several work-based tasks that demonstrate your ability to perform your trade according to the directions provided by the assessor. Your evaluation is scheduled to take place at the location of the assessing authority and is expected to last approximately 8 hours.
Skill Assessment Outcome
If you successfully completed skill assessment with positive outcome you will receive the following:
- an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) that lists the units of competency in which you have been assessed as having successfully demonstrated the required technical skills, and
- a migration outcome letter if the skills assessment is to support your visa application.
Electrician General who has received the Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) can apply for a provisional license to work under supervision in Australia and must complete the GAP Training to get a full license. More information on OTSR and GAP training in Australia can be found here.
Skill Assessment Application Fees
The following table shows the fees that the assessment authority charges for the skill assessment based on the assessment pathway you select.
|
Pathway 1 Application Fees (AUD) |
|
|
Stage 1 - Documentary Evidence |
$1,120 |
|
Stage 2 - Technical Interview |
$2,000 |
|
Stage 3 – Practical Assessment |
$2,200 |
|
Pathway 2 Application Fees (AUD) |
|
|
Stage 1 - Documentary Evidence |
$1,120 |
|
Stage 2 - Technical Interview |
$900 |
Potential Visa Pathways for Plumber (General)
The ANZSCO 334111 Plumber (General) occupation is currently included on the following migration occupation lists:
Occupation: ANZSCO 334111 Plumber (General) with the potential to obtain a pathway from temporary to permanent residency through the following visas:
General Skilled Migration Program
The General Skilled Migration program is a points-based visa that enables eligible overseas skilled workers to migrate to Australia without the need for an employer to sponsor their visa. In order to qualify for general skilled migration visas, you must possess a skill in a profession that is in high demand in Australia.
This visa system is points-based and assesses applicants on a variety of criteria, such as their academic background, work experience, English language proficiency, and age. The program ensures that migrants can effectively integrate into the Australian workforce and society by prioritising those with skills in demand in addition to addressing labour shortages.
Successful applicants can stay and work in Australia indefinitely on a permanent visa. The General Skilled Migration program is divided into three visa subclasses, which include:
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa
Skill Assessment Support
We provide skill assessment support for individuals seeking to complete the skills assessment for the occupation ANZSCO 334111 Plumber (General). Our services include guidance on the specific videos, photos, and employment evidence you need to gather, as well as advice on what to include in your resume and how to obtain employer reference letters. With our document-checking expertise, we ensure that your applications fulfil all necessary requirements. This approach will help us prepare your application to achieve the best possible outcome.
Professional Advice
We simplify the Australian immigration application process and provide precise, specialised assistance based on your specific needs. We determine the optimal immigration road for you, and if the law or your circumstances change unexpectedly, we provide other paths to assist you in achieving your migration goals.
Our dedicated team is committed to staying updated on the latest immigration policies, ensuring that you have the most accurate information at your fingertips. With our support, you can navigate the complexities of the system with confidence and clarity.
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