Construction, infrastructure, housing, renewable energy, and transport are all expanding at once — and every one of these industries is struggling to find qualified, licensed tradies.
For thousands of experienced workers, this situation has created a turning point: 2026 is the ideal moment to get your trade recognised and finally become licensed. And thanks to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), you may not need to study, sit in a classroom, or start an apprenticeship again.
If you already have the hands-on experience, an RPL certificate could fast-track your licence and open the door to higher pay, better contracts, and real job security.
What is trade recognition in Australia?
Trade recognition is the formal process of recognising the skills you’ve already built through years of practical work. In Australia, this happens through two main pathways:
1. Domestic trade recognition (RPL through Australian RTOs)
If you gained your skills on the job — as an apprentice, labourer, subcontractor, or overseas worker — you can complete an RPL assessment through an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
This converts your work experience into a nationally recognised qualification that can be used to apply for a trade licence.
2. Migration-related trade recognition (TRA)
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses overseas qualifications and experience for migration or licence pathways.
Even overseas-trained tradies still typically need an Australian qualification, which can often be obtained through RPL.
In both cases, experience becomes credit. Instead of repeating what you already know, RPL validates your skills so you can move into licensed, higher-paid roles.
Why 2026 is the perfect time to get licensed
Australia’s labour market has shifted. For tradies, it’s never looked better.
Massive demand for skilled tradies
Across Australia, demand is outpacing available workers:
- Housing shortfall = more carpenters, builders and concreters needed
- NSW, VIC and QLD infrastructure pipelines are worth billions
- Renewable energy projects are creating roles in electrical, mechanical and civil trades
- Ageing workforce = increasing retirements.
This means one thing: licensed tradies are in short supply, and there is more work than workers.
Licensed tradies earn significantly more
Whether you’re a carpenter, tiler, waterproofer, sparkie, or diesel mechanic, licence eligibility increases earning potential.
Licensed tradies can:
- Charge higher hourly rates
- Subcontract to builders
- Run their own business
- Work on large commercial jobs
- Apply for higher duties or supervision roles
Having a qualification is often the barrier, and RPL removes that barrier quickly.
Compliance and audits are getting stricter
Across Australia, regulators such as NSW Fair Trading, QBCC and VBA are increasing:
- On-site inspections
- Licence audits
- Enforcement of qualifications
Working unlicensed is riskier than ever before.
An RPL certificate is one of the fastest ways to meet formal requirements and stay compliant.
RPL has never been easier or faster
RPL assessment processes are now streamlined:
- Online evidence upload
- Video verification for practical skills
- Digital assessor interviews
- Faster turnaround (often 4–8 weeks, depending on evidence).
This makes 2026 one of the most accessible times in history to complete RPL and get licensed without stepping inside a classroom.
How RPL helps you get a trade licence
Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how trade recognition works through RPL.
Step 1 — Free skills check
A quick conversation to confirm whether your experience matches the qualification you need.
Skills Certified’s free skills check helps you:
- Select the right qualification
- Understand evidence requirements
- Confirm licensing suitability.
Step 2 — Collect your evidence
This is the core of the RPL assessment. Evidence can include:
- Photos or videos of your work
- Employer references
- Contracts or job cards
- Timesheets, payslips, ABN records
- Tools logbooks
- Overseas certificates
- SWMS, safety documents
- Quotes, invoices and work orders.
If you’ve been doing the job, you can usually prove it.
Step 3 — RPL assessment through an RTO
According to Australian RTO and licensing requirements, all RPL assessments must be conducted by a qualified assessor.
Your assessor will review your portfolio and may:
- Ask questions about your work
- Request extra evidence
- Conduct a practical verification (sometimes via video)
No exams.
No classroom training.
No need to stop working.
Step 4 — Receive your RPL certificate
Once your competency is confirmed, you receive a qualification equivalent to studying the course in full — the same certificate used for licensing.
Step 5 — Apply for your trade licence
Submit your qualification to your state licensing authority.
Most Skills Certified partner RTO qualifications meet educational requirements across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, WA and NT.
Who should consider RPL for trade recognition?
This pathway is ideal for:
- Tradies with 5+ years experience
- Subcontractors who learned on the job
- Labourers ready to step up
- Overseas-trained workers wanting Australian recognition
- Workers who never completed their apprenticeship
- People running a business without formal qualifications.
If you’ve been “doing the work but not formally qualified,” RPL was built for you.
Most common trades using RPL for licensing
Some of the most popular trades using RPL certificates include:
- Carpentry (CPC30220)
- Building & Construction (CPC40120 / CPC50220)
- Wall & Floor Tiling
- Painting & Decorating
- Waterproofing
- Plumbing (additional exams apply in most states)
- Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning
- Automotive mechanical
- Electrical (requires further licensing steps)
- Civil construction and plant operations
If a licence exists for your trade, there’s usually an RPL pathway that supports it.
Benefits of choosing Skills Certified
Skills Certified supports you from start to finish with:
- A free skills check to confirm your pathway
- Help collecting evidence so your application is strong
- Matching you with the correct RTO
- Fast turnaround times (qualification in as little as 4–8 weeks)
- High success rates thanks to guided support
- Australian-recognised qualifications, valid for licensing
You’re never on your own — your consultant guides you through each step.
