Did you know that cabinetmakers may be nominated for a skilled Australian visa for cabinetmakers? There are a range of skilled visa options available for cabinetmakers, including employer sponsored, state sponsored and a temporary training visa option. Keen to learn more? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we examine how the occupation of cabinetmaker is classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the skilled options to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker, including pathways for cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR. visa This includes employer sponsored options which require you to be sponsored as a cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111.
But before we discuss the potential options to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker, including cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa, let us first introduce you to some of the key elements that must be considered when assessing your eligibility for a skilled Australian visa for cabinetmakers.
Important Factors To Consider When Applying to Migrate To Australia As A Cabinetmaker
Skilled Occupation List
A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled Australian visa for cabinetmakers is based on whether this occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered. It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for a skilled cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 visa, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker.
Please note that as of 25 November 2023, there have been changes to occupation requirements for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Occupations are no longer required to be specified in a SOL to be eligible for an ENS visa. Instead, the nominated occupation must be listed in the ANZSCO and the nominated worker must continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa (ANZSCO 4-digit occupation unit group code).
Targeted Approach
Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of this is an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
There are several Australian visa for cabinetmakers options available to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker, with each one designed to meet a specific purpose. These comprise an independent, state sponsored, regional employer sponsored, regional state sponsored, regional family sponsored, employer sponsored and nominated, as well as a temporary graduate and training visa.
A Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is an example of a regional state sponsored visa.
A regional employer-sponsored Australian visa for cabinetmakers is the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa.
And a state sponsored cabinetmaker immigration to Australia pr visa option is the Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa.
Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.
Nominating A Cabinetmaker On The Skilled Occupation List
Different SOLs apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The skilled occupation list that applies to an occupation determines whether it may be nominated under the short-term or medium-term stream of the subclass 482 visa program. There is also a labour agreement stream which applies where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement in place, and that agreement specifies the occupation/s that may be nominated for a TSS visa.
The occupation of cabinetmaker is included on the MLTSSL, and so may be nominated by an employer for a TSS visa under the medium-term stream. This Australian visa for cabinetmakers provides a pathway to a permanent residency visa after two years via the Subclass 186 ENS visa (this is discussed further below).
Australian Visa For Cabinetmakers Under A Labour Agreement
A labour agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and employers who seek to sponsor overseas workers for their business.
Labour agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available (for example, the occupation which the employer is seeking to nominate is not included on the SOL for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa programs).
One of the main benefits of entering into a labour agreement is its flexibility as it enables an employer to negotiate terms that meet the needs of the business (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility). This means that an employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard employer sponsored visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds. A labour agreement can also be used to employ overseas workers in new or emerging occupations that are not defined in the ANZSCO.
Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored skilled visa in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).
There are five types of Labour Agreements, as listed below:
-
- Company specific labour agreements
-
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
-
- Project agreements
-
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
-
- Industry labour agreements
To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and how they operate, please refer to our Labour Agreement Visa article.
Skills Assessment
To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).
It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.
Skill Assessments For Cabinetmakers
The prescribed skills assessing body for cabinetmakers is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). We provide further information about the TRA skills assessment criteria for cabinetmakers in our discussion further below in this article.
English Language
English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).
What Are The Possible Skilled Visa Options For The Occupation Of Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111
Before we take a detailed look at how the occupation of cabinetmaker is defined for Australian migration purposes, including what is required to qualify for cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa, we begin our discussion with an introduction to the main types of skilled visas that are available for a cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111. We also provide links to further information on these visa options at the conclusion of this article.
Training Visa
The Subclass 407 training visa is a temporary sponsored visa which is designed to help you to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia. The subclass 407 visa is not suitable for applicants whose sole purpose is to perform work in Australia but rather, to engage in workplace-based training.
One of the subclass 407 visa requirements is that you need to be sponsored by an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). You must also be nominated for the subclass 407 visa (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you will need to be invited in writing). You need to select from one of three nomination types, depending on the purpose or type of training which you seek to undertake. Each nomination type has specified requirements, one of which requires your occupation to be included on a subclass 407 training visa skilled occupation list.
The subclass 407 visa can be granted for a period of up to two years and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa. You can also include certain members of your family unit as dependent visa applicants, allowing them to accompany you to Australia.
Nomination Type 2: Occupational Training To Enhance Skills
Nomination type 2 requires the occupational training to be a structured workplace-based training program which is designed to meet your training needs, as the nominee.
The occupation of cabinetmaker is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 407 training visa, which means that as a cabinetmaker, you may be nominated for this visa provided that you have at least 12 months full-time employment experience as a cabinetmaker (in the two years immediately before lodgement of the application) to qualify under nomination type 2.
Please note that the subclass 407 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
To learn more about the subclass 407 training visa program, please see our article on the subclass 407 Training Visa Requirements And Occupations.
General Skilled Migration
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following skilled visa options (all of which are points-based) for cabinetmakers:
-
- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa;
-
- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and
-
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round. We refer you to the latest invitation round results.
Cabinetmaker Immigration To Australia PR Visa Options
The subclass 189 visa grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested visa, which means that you need to attain at least 65 points in the migration points test to submit an EOI and to qualify for the subclass 189 skilled cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa.
The subclass 190 visa grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa which means that you need to attain at least 65 points in the migration points test to be eligible. You also need to be nominated by a State or Territory Government to qualify. You will be granted an additional 5 points in the migration points test on account of the nomination.
Cabinetmaker Immigration To Australia PR Visa Pathway
As a cabinetmaker, you may also be nominated by a State or Territory government agency, or by an eligible relative in Australia for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This visa is also a points-tested visa. This means that to apply (and qualify for) a subclass 491 visa, you need to attain at least 65 points to be eligible. This visa option grants you an additional 15 points for the nomination/sponsorship.
Eligible subclass 491 visa holders may qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.
The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.
Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.
Employer Sponsored Skilled Australian Visa For Cabinetmakers
Cabinetmakers may also qualify for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa (under the medium-term stream). A TSS cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 visa may be granted for up to four years.
The subclass 482 visa also provides cabinetmakers with a pathway to permanent residency with an employer nominated Subclass 186 visa (which is discussed below) after two years.
Employer Nominated Skilled Cabinetmaker Immigration To Australia PR Visa
Applicants seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa who are prepared to commit to remaining with their nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of a Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement stream.
The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for TSS subclass 482 visa holders who are nominated as cabinetmakers after two years.
Cabinetmakers may also qualify for immediate permanent residency under the Direct Entry stream.
Employer Sponsored Skilled Regional Australian Visa For Cabinetmakers
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa provides cabinetmakers with a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if you satisfy specified requirements at that time. The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.
As a SESR visa holder, you will be required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. You can also travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term, and you will be entitled to enrol in Medicare.
How Is The Occupation Of Cabinetmaker Defined For A Skilled Visa?
For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for Australia.
The following occupational category for cabinetmakers contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia (classified as a minor group):
-
- Wood Trades Workers (minor group 394).
This minor group is then broken down into unit groups of occupations. The next level below this are specific occupations, which are each identified using an ANZSCO code. Skilled visa eligibility is, in part, based on whether your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the skilled visa that you are seeking to apply for.
Our discussion will follow the ANZSCO structure as we have outlined above. We will start by looking at the minor group listed above. We will then explore the unit groups that make up this minor group. We then conclude with the most important component in this discussion, that being the specific definition of the occupation of a cabinetmaker that may be nominated for a cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 skilled visa.
Minor Group 394 – Wood Trades Workers
We begin by examining ANZSCO minor group 394 for Wood Trades Workers.
ANZSCO General Description: Wood Trades Workers fabricate, repair and finish wooden furniture and fit and assemble prepared wooden parts to make furniture, set up and operate woodworking machines and wood turning lathes to shape wood stock, and make picture frames and other wood products.
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with an:
-
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training;
-
- or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks include:
-
- examining drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications
-
- selecting and working with materials such as timber, veneers, particle board and synthetic wood
-
- marking out, cutting and shaping wood using tools ranging from hand tools to large timber cutting machines
-
- determining tooling and machine requirements
-
- assembling parts to form sections of furniture and completed articles
-
- repairing and finishing furniture
-
- fitting hinges, locks, catches, drawers and shelves
-
- making picture frames and other wood products.
The 394 minor group comprises the following unit groups:
-
- 3941 Cabinetmakers; and
-
- 3942 Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers.
The occupation of cabinetmakers is included in unit group 3941.
Unit Group 3941 – Cabinetmakers
The Cabinetmakers unit group consists of one occupation, with the following elements.
ANZSCO General Description: Cabinetmakers fabricate and repair wooden furniture, and fit and assemble prepared wooden parts to make furniture.
ANZSCO Skill level: Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with an:
-
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training; or
-
- AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks include:
-
- examining drawings, work orders and sample parts to determine specifications
-
- selecting and working with materials such as timber, veneers, particle board and synthetic wood
-
- marking out, cutting and shaping wood
-
- working from drawings and specifications to make furniture
-
- making fittings for boats, caravans and other items where fine detail is required
-
- assembling parts to form sections of furniture and completed articles
-
- fitting hinges, locks, catches, drawers and shelves
-
- making frames for chairs and couches
-
- may repair and refurbish furniture and antiques
Skill assessing authority: TRA
Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Visa Options:
-
- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa
-
- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa
-
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
-
- Subclass 407 Training visa
-
- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Medium Term Stream)
-
- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work Stream)*
-
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)
-
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (Family sponsored)
-
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)
* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.
A description of the occupation in the cabinetmakers ANZSCO group is listed below.
| ANZSCO Occupation | ANZSCO code | ANZSCO Description |
| Cabinetmaker Specialisations: Antique Furniture Reproducer Antique Furniture Restorer Chair and Couch Maker Coffin Maker |
394111 | Fabricates or repairs wooden furniture, and fits and assembles prepared wooden parts to make furniture. |
Skill Assessments For Cabinetmakers
As noted in our introduction, the prescribed skills assessing body for cabinetmakers is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It has a number of skills assessment programs, depending on your country of passport, where you studied and the type of visa that you are seeking to apply for. The TRA Pathfinder is a good starting point to determine which skills assessment program to select based on your individual circumstances. Detailed guidelines are also available for each TRA assessment program.
We outline below the criteria for some of the main TRA skills assessment programs.
Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)
A PSA will verify your:
-
- identity; and
-
- Australian qualifications.
If your assessment is successful, the outcome letter can be used to apply for a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa.
To apply for the Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA), you must have:
-
- a current and valid passport
-
- an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation you are applying for.
This qualification must be from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Before you apply, you should read the PSA Applicant Guidelines and check you can meet the requirements for submitting a decision-ready application.
A successful PSA outcome also means you meet the pre-requisite requirement to participate in the JRP, however, you must apply for the JRP within 3 years from the date of your PSA outcome.
Offshore Skills Assessment
The OSAP is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.
The OSAP outcome shows if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.
To register for OSAP, you must be:
-
- applying for a skilled migration visa to Australia (excluding 485 or TSS visas)
-
- working in a nominated occupation and hold a passport from a nominated country or Special Administrative Region (SAR)
You can apply for OSAP as a Cabinetmaker if you hold a passport from Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Iran, Ireland, Macau SAR, Philippines, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam or Zimbabwe.
To register you must have the required amount of employment experience in your occupation. Please check the OSAP Applicant Guidelines.
Migration Skills Assessment
The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.
The MSA outcome recognises if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.
You can only use a successful MSA outcome for your visa application to Home Affairs for migration purposes
To apply for MSA, you must:
-
- have a qualification directly related to your nominated occupation
-
- have the required amount of directly relevant employment in your occupation
-
- read the MSA Applicant Guidelines for employment requirements
-
- have your occupation listed on a skilled occupation list (with TRA listed as the relevant assessing authority).
Please refer to the TRA website for further information.
Get More Information
Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations
Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician
How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson
Migrate To Australia As A Small Engine Mechanic
Migrate To Australia As A Sandblaster
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
For further information on the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa, please see the following articles:
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Employer Sponsored Visa
To learn more about an employer sponsorship visa, please see the following articles:
Employer Nomination Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements
Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa
Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship
Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment
Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage
Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders
How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency
Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship
Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs
Labour Market Testing Requirements
Skilled Visa
To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:
Australian Skilled Migration Visa List
General Skilled Migration Visa Options
SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy
General Skilled Migration Visa Points
Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa
Australian Skilled Occupations List
Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study
State Sponsorship Visas In Australia
South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
English Requirements For Skilled Visas
Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and additional information.
Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a skilled Australian visa for cabinetmakers, including a cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa and to assess your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the Australian visa options for cabinetmakers, including cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa options. We have also covered the TRA skills assessment requirements to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker, and have provided links to further information so that you can learn more about the skilled cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 visa options that are available and the TRA skills assessment criteria.
Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as a cabinetmaker, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up-to-date advice on the skilled visa options that are available for a cabinetmaker to migrate to Australia, including cabinetmaker immigration to Australia PR visa options, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.
Sources/Links
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) – Skills Assessment
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Provisional Skills Assessment – Applicant Guidelines
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Skills Assessment
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) – Applicant Guidelines
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Offshore Skills Assessment Program
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Guidelines
Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Job Ready Program (JRP)