FAQs


I’m a fully qualified tradesperson in my home country, why do I have to do the GAP training and why does it take so long? 

Whilst the knowledge and skills of many overseas workers can be very high, there are differences in the manner in which technical expertise needs to be applied in Australia.

Australia has different standards, regulations and/or industry codes/guidelines and work practices that are not seen or applied in any other country (except New Zealand).  

In regulated trade vocations (electrical and refrigeration and air conditioning) where the work context may differ markedly, if this gap is not addressed it could endanger lives and have a detrimental impact on electricity infrastructure and/or systems.


Does the GAP training have to be done in Australia?

Yes – Australian regulators and industry have insisted this be the case. 

The gap training is a nationally recognised accredited course that can only be offered by licensed registered training organisations (RTOs). 


Who can enrol and undertake the accredited courses? 

Entrants to the 10809NAT Course in Electrician – Minimum Australian Context Gap and 10878NAT Course in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Minimum Australian Context Gap is restricted to candidates who hold the following: 

  • Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) or Australian Technical Competencies Statement (ATCS).
  • hold a provisional/restricted licence issued by the regulatory authority responsible for regulating electrical work and licensing of workers in the jurisdiction where the training will take place
  • be engaged (employed) as an electrical worker or have access to a workplace environment that replicates workplace conditions
  • hold a certificate of currency for resuscitation (CPR) within the last twelve months and can provide a certificate of currency

Do Electrical Regulators recognise the OTSR?

Yes – an OTSR is a nationally recognised document. All state and territory regulatory bodies have agreed that Electrical OTSR holders are eligible to apply for a provisional licence to allow the holder to perform work in the licenced occupation under supervision while completing the gap training. 

Licensing and registration is a state/territory responsibility in Australia and there are different titles for provisional licenses used in different states/territories. 


Does the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) recognise the OTSR? 

Yes – ARC recognises the OTSR. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning OTSR holders are eligible to apply for a refrigeration and air conditioning ‘trainee licence’. The trainee licence allows the holder to handle a refrigerant under supervision while completing the gap training.

Some state/territories Electrical Regulators may also require the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning OTSR Holder to hold a relevant restricted electrical licence for that jurisdiction. 


How long is the practical experience required in Australia?

Practical experience is a mixture of both time and workplace exposure, which is captured by ‘eProfiling’ to the satisfaction of both the RTO issuing the qualification and the Regulator, which is nominally 12 months.


What is Exemplar Profiling (formerly eProfiling)?

Exemplar Profiling (formerly eProfiling) records your on-the-job work experience. This system has been developed by industry and is an important component of the gap training course. 

Exemplar Profiling (and eProfiling) gathers, on a weekly basis, the different tasks undertaken and tracks over time exposure to the various elements of the gap training course. This information is verified by your supervisor and used as work performance evidence by the gap training RTO.


There is no RTO in my state/territory licensed to deliver the GAP training I require, what should I do?

Please make contact with another licensed RTO. As part of their licence agreements, they are required to and expected to offer flexible delivery arrangements and options to allow candidates to access the course from other states/territories. 


What is the industry preferred pathway for gaining my full qualification and occupational licence?

The industry endorsed skilled migration pathway and process for Skilled Migrants (excluding New Zealand qualified Electricians and Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanics) under OSAP and TSS is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Pathway 1. 

Specifically, this pathway involves candidates:

  1. Successfully undertake a OTSR skills assessment by a TRA approved RTO;
  2. The successful completion of the nationally accredited GAP training course (including supervised workplace experience captured by eProfiling) in Australia by an E-Oz licenced GAP training RTO;
  3. Then issuance of the full Certificate III qualification which allows an occupational licence to be issued by the relevant State or Territory regulator. 

Skilled Migrants should be extremely cautious about undertaking any pathway or process outside of the industry approved process. Unless you are a qualified New Zealand Electrical and/or Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic and/or licence holder migrating to Australia. 

Any migration pathway resulting in the issuance of an Australian Qualification or occupational licence that does not involve steps 1-3 above, is most likely against regulatory requirements and training package rules. Australian qualification in the Electrotechnology sector must be delivered in Australia, under appropriate electrical licensing and sufficient on the job exposure gathered in Australia.