Offshore Technical Skills Record

Last Updated on July 14, 2025 by Ozlinks Education

What is an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR)?

An Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) is a skills assessment outcome issued by the assessing authority to an overseas-trained trade worker who successfully completes the practical skills assessment of the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP). The Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) outlines the technical abilities you demonstrated during the practical assessment and identifies any deficiencies in the skills or knowledge components required in Australia. To meet the full standards of the trade occupation in Australia, you must fill the gap of these deficiencies, which are referred to as Australian Context Gap Training.

Trade occupations that are required to have an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR):

For more information about skill assessment for migrants in the above occupations, click on the link above.

Does an Offshore Technical Skills Record permit me to work in Australia?

The Offshore Technical Skills Record allows you to apply for a provisional license with the relevant state or territory licensing authority as soon as you arrive in Australia. To obtain this provisional license, you must submit the Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) along with your registration application. This provisional license enables you to work under the supervision of a licensed tradesperson.

Skills Assessment Support

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How can I obtain an Offshore Technical Skills Record?

If you are a migrant and have a minimum of 6 years of full-time work experience in your relevant occupation as an electrician, plumber, or air conditioning technician in your home country, we can assist you in completing a migration skills assessment under the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP).

The Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is a program run by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) that assesses the skills and experience of individuals applying for skilled migration visas to Australia, particularly for trade occupations. It determines if applicants have the necessary skills to work in their nominated occupation in Australia at the required skill level.

If you successfully complete the Offshore Skills Assessment Program and pass the practical assessment, the assessing authority will issue an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR).

What is an Australian Context Gap Training

The Australian Context Gap Training is designed to support overseas-trained tradespeople, particularly those in licensed trades such as electrical, plumbing, and air-conditioning and refrigeration work, in meeting Australian standards and licensing requirements. This training acts as a bridge between the skills and knowledge acquired abroad and those necessary for securing employment in Australia. Generally, this training is mandated after the issuance of an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) and before obtaining a full Australian trade qualification and trade license.

Further information regarding Australian Context Gap Training.

Frequent Ask Questions

Here is a list of common questions that our clients ask us. If you need more information do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

How to get a provisional electrical license?

To obtain a provisional electrical licence in Australia, individuals, particularly migrants who are non-permanent residents, need to complete a skills assessment for migration and pass a practical assessment to gain an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR). Following this, they must apply to the relevant state or territory licensing authority to obtain a provisional electrical license.

This provisional license allows individuals to work under the supervision of a fully licensed electrician while they complete their training to become fully licensed electrician.

To obtain a provisional plumbing license in Australia, individuals, particularly migrants who are non-permanent residents, need to complete a skills assessment for migration and pass a practical assessment to gain an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR). Following this, they must apply to the relevant state or territory licensing authority to obtain a provisional plumbing license.

This provisional license allows individuals to work under the supervision of a fully licensed plumber while they complete their training to become fully licensed plumbers.

We have extensive experience in assisting migrants through the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, particularly focusing on the following occupations:

We provide guidance step by step to ensure that you have met the document requirements for the skill assessment criterion and pass the technical interview and the practical assessment.

We help skilled overseas electricians, plumbers, and air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics in the process of completing the skills assessment, registering the provisional licence, and registering for a full licence.

After obtaining an OTSR, you are eligible to apply for a provisional licence. A provisional licence application can be obtained from the Australian state or territory in where you reside. The provisional license will allow you to work under supervision while completing gap training program.

To be awarded the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate for that occupation under the migration skill assessment system, the OTSR holder must complete Australian context gap training and 12 months of supervised employment in the specified trade before applying for a full license.

We will collect your personal, education and work information from you to prepare your skill assessment application lodgment. We are 100% committed that the information which you provide to us will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will never share your information with third party for any reason, confidentiality guaranteed is central to the success of our business and your success in the skill assessment process. Click here for our Privacy Policy.

Why do I need help with skill assessment?

Each assessing authority that evaluates skills has its own set of rules, procedures, and time limits. The criteria are backed by an assessing authority and will apply to your chosen ANZSCO occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The assessing authority will evaluate your chosen occupation based on professional standards.

Ozlinks Education and Career Services is an agency that helps people understand what the skill assessment requirements are. Based on the ANZSCO occupation you've chosen, we'll be able to find the right assessing authority and tell you what they need. We have a lot of experience in document checking, so you can be sure you've done everything you need to do for the skills assessment application criteria and give yourself the best chance of getting a positive result.

If you need help with the skill assessments for the general occupations, we can help you. Click here to get in touch with us.