Romain arrived in Australia to study painting and decorating, worked his way through the Job Ready Program and is now an Australian permanent resident through the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
Quick Facts About Romain's PR Journey
- Course studied: Certificate III in Painting and Decorating
- Study duration: Around 2 years
- Post-study visa: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Skills assessment pathway: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Job Ready Program
- Occupation: Painter (ANZSCO 332211, formerly titled Painting Trades Worker)
- Skilled migration pathway: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Outcome: Australian permanent residency
- Life now: Running his own painting business as a sole trader in Brisbane
Every migration journey is different. Romain's experience reflects his individual circumstances and does not mean the same pathway or outcome will apply to every applicant.
Wondering if a trade could be your own pathway to PR?
Leaving France For a Fresh Start
Before coming to Australia, Romain was working in sales in France and had reached a point of burnout. He'd spent time in the country before on a working holiday visa, and it had left a mark.
"I was hoping to start something new, to start something that could help me stay longer in Australia and achieve my dream to live over there." — Romain
He was hoping to build a long-term future in Australia, including the possibility of starting his own painting business one day. He just didn't know yet what the route to get there would look like.
Studying Painting and Decorating in Australia
Romain enrolled in a two-year Certificate III in Painting and Decorating course on a student visa. He wanted to know where the course would actually take him before he'd commit.
"The first call I had with Brad, he helped me a lot. He explained to me in an easier way what could be my pathway. I wanted to do painting, so he explained that I could study painting for two years, then a postgrad visa, skills assessment, and the skilled visa. He gave me so much confidence." — Romain
Studying a trade from scratch, in a new occupation and a new country, came with its own learning curve, one that would follow him into the workforce.
Not sure which course leads where?
Moving Onto the Temporary Graduate Visa
Romain then qualified for and applied for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) under what is now called the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. This stream is generally available to graduates of an Australian trade qualification and is valid for up to 18 months at the time of writing.
This gave Romain the work rights he needed to gain paid, industry-relevant experience in painting while he began working towards a skills assessment.
Visa names, streams, and durations can change. Applicants should confirm current settings on the Department of Home Affairs website before relying on them.
The Hardest Part: Building Real Trade Skills From Scratch
With his Temporary Graduate visa in hand, Romain found employment in the painting industry and worked for around 12 months to complete the Job Ready Program (JRP), run by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), an employment-based skills assessment pathway for international graduates of eligible Australian trade qualifications.
This is the stage Romain describes as the hardest part of his whole journey, harder than any visa paperwork.
"It was difficult at the beginning to learn everything in the industry, to get the skills, the environment, as well as understanding what's going to be my pathway. Even after five months working in the industry and studying, I was still getting some frustration about my skill. I had to switch my mind and put a lot of effort into learning these skills." — Romain
He maintained communication with the Pathway to Aus team throughout, which he says helped him keep going during moments of doubt.
"At some point I wanted to just [give up], and I was hesitating if it was the right path. But with support, and really trying to understand, getting help, we can do it. That's how I did it." — Romain
The work experience and skills assessment requirements that applied to Romain reflected his individual circumstances at the time. Requirements for the Job Ready Program and other TRA assessment pathways can change, and applicants should check current eligibility directly with TRA.
From Full Skills Assessment to an Invitation
The Job Ready Program gave Romain a full skills assessment in painting, the milestone that opened the door to submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Australia’s points-tested skilled visas.
Painter (ANZSCO 332211) is on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and could be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491), subject to points and other requirements at the time of application.
Finally, Romain was invited to lodge and was granted the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
Occupation lists, points requirements and invitation rounds can change over time and may vary between states and territories. Being on a skilled occupation list does not mean that an invitation or a visa will automatically be granted.
Interested to know if your job is on the list?
Life After Permanent Residency
Since being granted permanent residency, Romain has gone on to build the life he set out to create when he first arrived in Australia.
He now runs his own painting business as a sole trader, working full-time for himself, and lives in Brisbane.
"I really like my life right now. I'm running a painting business now since I got my permanent residency. I just started myself as a sole trader, and I'm working, five months in, full-time for myself. I live in Brisbane. I've got the life I dreamed about when I arrived in Australia. I'm really grateful and happy for everything." — Romain
Reflecting on the process overall, Romain remains grateful for the support along the way.
"I can't thank you enough for that. I'm so grateful for the support and the help in my journey." — Romain
Considering a Painting and Decorating Course in Australia?
Romain’s story illustrates how study, work experience and a trade skills assessment pathway can combine over time in an individual migration journey. There’s no single study-to-PR path for everyone.
If you want to study painting and decorating or any other trade in Australia, Pathway to Aus can assist you in exploring the right study options and understand the migration pathways that may be available to you based on your individual circumstances. Explore Painting and Decorating Courses.
Australian migration requirements, occupation eligibility, skills assessment requirements, and points-test settings can change. The information above is general in nature. Romain's story reflects his individual circumstances and does not guarantee the same pathway, timeline, or migration outcome for another applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can studying painting and decorating lead to permanent residency in Australia?
Studying painting and decorating may form part of a longer skilled migration pathway for some applicants, but completing the course does not automatically lead to permanent residency. Outcomes depend on factors including skills assessment, points, occupation lists, English requirements, and the migration rules that apply at the time.
What visa options are available to painters in Australia?
Painter (ANZSCO 332211) is on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and may be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491), depending on the eligibility and nomination requirements at the time.
What is the TRA Job Ready Program?
The Job Ready Program is an employment-based skills assessment pathway run by Trades Recognition Australia for international graduates of certain Australian trade qualifications, including painting and decorating. It generally involves a period of supervised paid work in the nominated occupation before a workplace assessment for a full skills assessment.
Does the Job Ready Program guarantee a skills assessment or a visa?
No. Completing the Job Ready Program could lead to a full skills assessment, but a skills assessment is not an invitation to apply or a visa grant. They will still need to meet the relevant points, English and other requirements as they apply to an applicant’s circumstances.
How long does the Job Ready Program take?
The Job Ready Program generally requires a period of supervised paid employment of around 12 months in the nominated occupation, though exact requirements can change. Applicants should confirm current requirements directly with Trades Recognition Australia.
Can I bring a painting qualification into a career after gaining permanent residency?
Once they are granted permanent residency, many of these graduates go on to work in their trade and some go on to run their own businesses, as Romain did. Results will vary based on individual circumstances and are not guaranteed.
