If you’re a skilled tradesperson – like an electrician – applying for a Subclass 189 or 190 visa through SkillSelect, you’ve probably claimed points for your qualifications in your Expression of Interest (EOI). But what happens when your skills assessment says you meet the units of an Australian Certificate III but need “gap training” before the certificate will actually be awarded?
This is a tricky area that catches many applicants off guard, and getting it wrong can have serious consequences for your visa application.
What Does “Gap Training” Mean for Your Skills Assessment?
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When a trade skills assessing authority (such as TRA) assesses your overseas qualifications, they may determine that your qualification meets some but not all of the units required for the equivalent Australian Certificate III. The remaining units are referred to as “gap training” – additional training you need to complete in Australia before the full certificate is awarded.
This creates an important question: if your skills assessment says you meet the occupation requirements for visa purposes but you haven’t actually been awarded the Australian certificate, can you claim education points in your EOI?
Can You Claim Education Points?
This is where it gets complicated. Education points in the points test are based on the qualifications you actually hold, not on what your skills assessment says you’re equivalent to. If your skills assessment states that you need gap training before obtaining the full Australian certificate, it suggests that your overseas qualification has not been fully recognised as equivalent to the Australian standard.
However, if you hold a qualification from your home country (such as a Level 3 trade qualification from the UK), you may still be able to claim points based on that overseas qualification – provided it’s recognised as equivalent to an Australian qualification at the appropriate level.
The Risk of Overclaiming Points
One of the biggest risks in this situation is claiming more points than you’re entitled to in your EOI. If you claim education points based on a qualification that the Department later determines doesn’t meet the required standard, you could face:
- Visa refusal – If you can’t substantiate the points you claimed at the time of invitation, your visa application may be refused
- Section 48 bar – A refusal while onshore can trigger the s48 bar, limiting your future onshore application options
- Loss of visa fees – The visa application charge is non-refundable even if your application is refused
- Potential Public Interest Criterion 4020 issues – In some cases, overclaiming points could be seen as providing misleading information, which can result in a three-year or ten-year ban
What Should You Do?
If you’ve received a skills assessment that mentions gap training, or if you’re unsure whether your overseas qualification entitles you to claim education points, it’s essential to get professional advice before lodging your EOI or visa application. Key steps include:
- Review your skills assessment carefully – Understand exactly what it says about your qualification equivalence
- Check whether your overseas qualification is recognised – Look at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) to understand how your overseas qualification compares
- Only claim points you can substantiate – It’s better to receive an invitation with fewer points and a strong application than to overclaim and face refusal
- Consider completing gap training – If time allows, completing the gap training before applying can strengthen your application and may entitle you to additional education points
The points test is competitive, but accuracy is more important than maximising your score. If you’re in this situation, professional guidance can help you make the right claims and avoid costly mistakes.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. Every immigration matter is unique, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. For advice tailored to your specific situation, please book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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