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Hiring overseas tradespeople and FIFO workers: skills assessment and licences

Overseas tradespeople usually need their skills assessed and, for licensed trades, an Australian licence before they can work lawfully in the trade. Trades sit outside the Specialist Skills stream, so sponsored hires usually use Core Skills or a labour agreement. The Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.

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By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 4 October 2026.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

Employer guide

What you need to know

Skills assessment and licences come first

The Government of Western Australia explains that people intending to work in an eligible trade or licensed trade occupation may have their skills assessed through Trades Recognition Australia. A successful assessment can lead to an Australian qualification for non-licensed trades, or to an outcome used towards a licence for a licensed trade. Licences themselves are issued by state and territory regulators. Ask each candidate which assessment they hold, if any, and which state licence the role needs, because a strong CV from overseas does not replace either.

Why Specialist Skills does not help trades

Home Affairs restricts the Specialist Skills stream to ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. Technicians and trades workers are Major Group 3 and machinery operators, drivers and labourers are Groups 7 and 8, so a high salary does not open that stream. Sponsored hires in these groups look to the Core Skills stream, where the occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List and the salary must meet AUD 79,423 or the market rate if higher, or to a labour agreement or DAMA.

Regional and FIFO sites

Many FIFO and mining employers recruit for remote sites, where DAMAs can matter. The Western Australian Government says its state DAMA covers all of WA and complements regional DAMAs in the Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara and South West. Those agreements can allow occupations that the standard lists do not. They come with their own endorsement processes and conditions, so check the regional authority before you build a search around one. Also think about site induction, medicals and rosters, which affect who is a genuine fit regardless of visa.

How CrossNation helps

We recruit tradespeople and FIFO support roles across Australia. Give us the trade, licence requirement, site, roster and salary, and we search for candidates already in Australia and for sponsorship-ready overseas candidates. We do not assess skills, issue licences or advise on visas, and we cannot promise any candidate will be assessed, licensed or sponsored.

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does a trade licence come from Home Affairs?

No. Licences are issued by state and territory regulators. Home Affairs decides visas.

What is Trades Recognition Australia?

It is the body the Government of Western Australia names for assessing trade skills for migration. See the WA page for how an assessment works.

Can a DAMA help me hire for a remote site?

A DAMA can give access to additional occupations in a designated area. Check the regional authority for its endorsement process and conditions.

Do you recruit FIFO support roles as well as trades?

Yes. We recruit across construction, mining and FIFO support roles for employers across Australia.

Can a diesel mechanic or electrician use Specialist Skills?

No. Those occupations sit in the trades group and Specialist Skills is limited to Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Related

Sources (accessed 4 October 2026)