THE SKILLS AUSTRALIA NEEDS: CAN RPL HELP EXPERIENCED WORKERS MOVE FORWARD?

Jobs and Skills Australia's 2025 assessment found nearly half of trade roles in shortage, particularly in construction. Employers need people who can read plans, work safely, install and maintain systems, find faults and coordinate with other trades. Experience matters, and a formal qualification can help show what that experience covers.

Construction and carpentry support new buildings, renovations and infrastructure. Plumbing is essential to water, drainage, gas and related building systems. Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics install, maintain and repair systems in homes, commercial buildings and industry.

WHAT CAN THESE ROLES PAY?

Jobs and Skills Australia's national median full-time weekly earnings, with weekly figures multiplied by 52 for an annual comparison:

Carpenters and joiners: $1,760 per week; about $91,520 a year.
Plumbers: $1,990 per week; about $103,480 a year.
Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics: $2,100 per week; about $109,200 a year.
Construction managers: $3,751 per week; about $195,052 a year.

These are occupation-wide midpoints, not starting salaries or pay promised after RPL. Construction management is a more senior and distinct occupation. Actual earnings depend on experience, location, hours and employment arrangements.

WHY CONSIDER RPL?

RPL formally assesses skills an experienced worker has gained on the job. Work records, employer references, training records and examples of completed tasks can help demonstrate competence. An assessor may identify training gaps. RPL itself does not grant a trade licence. In NSW, regulated plumbing work requires the appropriate licence or certificate, and qualifications and experience must meet the relevant rules.

If you have experience in construction, plumbing or air conditioning and refrigeration, ask All Skills College about the suitable course or RPL pathway, evidence, fees and relevant partner RTO: https://allskillscollege.com.au/