1. The JRP Roadmap: 4 Essential Steps
While some administrative portals label it as three steps, there are four distinct stages you must pay for and pass.
| Stage | Name | Fee (2026 Approx) | Purpose |
| Step 1 | PSA (Provisional Skills Assessment) | $130 | Confirms your qualification; required to apply for the 485 Visa. |
| Step 2 | JRE (Job Ready Employment) | $490 | Registers your workplace and starts your 1,725-hour clock. |
| Step 3 | JRWA (Workplace Assessment) | $2,845 | An assessor visits your job to watch you work (after 6 months/863 hrs). |
| Step 4 | JRFA (Final Assessment) | $75 | The final paperwork to get your full Skills Assessment letter. |
2. Step 1: Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)
When to do it: As soon as you finish your Certificate III and get your completion letter.
- Requirement: You need at least 360 hours of relevant work experience or vocational placement (usually completed during your course).
- The Goal: You cannot lodge a 485 Post-Vocational Visa without at least having applied for this.
3. Step 2: Job Ready Employment (JRE)
When to do it: As soon as you have your PSA outcome and a job in your trade.
- The “Prior Work” Rule: You can claim up to 3 months of paid work experience from before you applied for JRE, as long as it wasn’t used for your PSA.
- 1,725 Hours: You must complete a minimum of 12 months of employment and at least 1,725 paid hours.
- Documentation: You must submit Skills Progress Reports (SPR) and Employment Verification Reports (EVR) signed by your boss.
4. Step 3: Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)
When to do it: Once you hit 863 hours (roughly 6 months full-time).
- The Visit: A qualified assessor (from an RTO) will visit your workplace. They will interview you and watch you perform tasks like cutting timber (Carpentry) or prepping a sauce (Chef).
- 2026 Priority: In 2026, TRA is prioritizing construction trades (Carpenters, Bricklayers, Electricians) for assessments to meet the national housing target. Non-construction trades may face longer wait times.
5. Step 4: Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)
When to do it: After completing 12 months and all 1,725 hours.
- The Result: This is an invitation-only stage. Once TRA verifies your final payslips and hours, they send you the “Full Skills Assessment.”
- The PR Payoff: With this letter, you can now apply for the 189, 190, or 491 visas and claim 5 extra points for Australian work experience.
6. Top Tips for 2026 Success
- The “35 Cap” Strategy: If you are nearing 35, apply for the PSA immediately after your course. You cannot afford a 3-month delay in starting your 12-month JRP clock.
- Pay Evidence: TRA is extremely strict in 2026. Ensure your bank statements exactly match your pay slips. Cash-in-hand work will be rejected.
- Subcontracting: You can be a subcontractor (ABN), but you must work with one main contractor for at least 6 months who is willing to sign your technical reports.
