Online
Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations code for cabinetmakers, tradespeople who fabricate, assemble, and install wooden furniture, cabinetry, and fitted joinery. The assessing authority for this occupation is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA), which evaluates whether overseas-trained applicants meet Australian trade standards before any skilled migration visa can be lodged.
The Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 occupation can be found on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), where you will be granted access to the widest range of skilled visas, including visas for permanent residency. For this occupation, a positive TRA skills assessment must be completed before any visa application is made.
Most of the delays in a Cabinetmaker visa application come from selecting the incorrect TRA program, providing incorrect employment reference documentation, or misinterpreting the OSAP country requirements. In this article, we look at the occupation, all three TRA assessment programs, the required documents, fees, processing time, and visa options in 2026.
Cabinetmakers (ANZSCO 394111) manufacture and fit out timber and wood-based products such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, shop fittings for the commercial market, and finely crafted furniture or joinery. Work is physical with skills needed from interpreting drawings to operating machinery through to the finished installation. It is classified at ANZSCO Skill Level 3, requiring an AQF Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training or an AQF Certificate IV. Extensive trade experience without formal qualifications may be considered.
Tasks performed under this ANZSCO code consist of:
Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111 appears on the MLTSSL as of 2026 and thus becomes eligible for all points-tested and employer-sponsored skilled migration visas. The table below outlines the visa subclasses available.
Visa Subclass | Type | Pathway |
Subclass 189 | Permanent – Skilled Independent | Points-tested, no state nomination required |
Subclass 190 | Permanent – Skilled Nominated | Points-tested + state nomination (+5 points) |
Subclass 491 | Provisional – Skilled Regional | Points-tested + regional nomination (+15 points) |
Subclass 482 | Temporary – Skills in Demand | Employer-sponsored, no points test |
Subclass 186 | Permanent – Employer Nomination | Employer-sponsored, permanent residency |
Subclass 494 | Provisional – Employer Regional | Employer-sponsored, regional Australia |
CDRaustraliaengineer specialises in high-quality CDR, RPL and VETASSESS reports for engineers. CDRaustraliaengineer offer low-cost, customized and reliable services in diverse engineering disciplines.
Australia’s sustained housing construction program, targeting 1.2 million new homes by 2029, along with commercial and retail fit-out demand across major cities, has kept cabinetmakers on state priority occupation lists in multiple jurisdictions through 2025 and 2026.
TRA administers three assessment programs for overseas cabinetmakers. Your correct program depends on your country of passport and visa subclass. Applying under the wrong program is one of the most common and avoidable errors.
The MSA is TRA’s standard documentary-based assessment program for offshore applicants not covered by OSAP requirements. TRA evaluates your qualifications and employment history against Australian trade standards without requiring travel to Australia.
Eligibility requires one of the following:
You must also show at least 12 months of employment within the last 3 years. MSA applications are generally finalized within 120 days of online submission.
OSAP is required for applicants holding passports from TRA-nominated countries applying for skilled migration visas (excluding Subclass 485 and TSS 482). The OSAP process includes a documentary evidence review and a technical assessment, which may involve practical skills demonstration, conducted by a TRA-approved Registered Training Organization (RTO). Applicants must be able to travel to the assessment location.
Check the TRA OSAP Nominated Occupation and Country list to confirm whether your passport requires OSAP. If your country is not listed, you apply under MSA or the TSS program.
Processing time is typically around 15 weeks from the date documentary evidence is submitted to the RTO.
The TSS program is for applicants holding passports from OSAP-nominated countries who are applying specifically for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa. This is not a pathway to permanent residency on its own but may lead to the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme via the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
TRA fees are paid via the TRA Online Portal at the time of submission and are non-refundable. Fee amounts are published in TRA’s Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) and updated periodically. Always verify the current fee in the relevant program’s Applicant Guidelines before submitting.
Program | Approx. Fee (AUD) | Processing Time |
MSA (Migration Skills Assessment) | ~AUD $330 | Up to 120 days from submission |
OSAP (Offshore Skills Assessment) | Paid via TRA Portal (RTO sets fee) | ~15 weeks from evidence submission to RTO |
TSS Skills Assessment | Paid via TRA Portal | Varies by RTO |
Key Note: Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2026, TRA is prioritizing assessments for targeted construction trades, including cabinetmakers, and streamlining the process for applicants from countries with comparable qualifications. No extra fee applies for priority processing.
Completeness of documentation is the primary factor determining whether your application progresses without delays. Missing or vague employment evidence is the most common reason for extended processing or a not-suitable outcome.
Core documents required across all TRA programs:
Note: Handwritten documents are not accepted by TRA.
English language evidence is not required for the MSA or OSAP assessment itself. English requirements for your visa are assessed separately by the Department of Home Affairs.
Creating a CDR Report may be difficult due to Engineers Australia’s standards and rules ( EA ). Our experienced engineers have assisted many people in obtaining approval for their report from the EA via the use of powerful projects.
The MLTSSL listing helps the role to continue being an in-demand trades occupation throughout Australia, primarily driven by government housing construction targets, fit-out work for the retail and commercial sector, and a continued need for trades skills throughout Australia. Permanent residency can now be achieved for Cabinetmakers through points-tested skilled visa streams or the employer-sponsored streams.
The TRA skills assessment is mandatory before any visa application, and the correct program depends entirely on your passport country and visa subclass. Errors such as applying under the wrong program, submitting incomplete employment evidence, or providing generic references are fully avoidable with careful preparation.
CDRAustraliaEngineer provides documentation support for overseas cabinetmakers preparing TRA MSA and OSAP applications, including employment evidence review and full application guidance.
1. Who is the assessing authority for Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111?
The assessing authority is TRA (Trades Recognition Australia). The TRA assessment determines that your trade qualification and work experience meet the Australian standards. The assessment needs to be done prior to applying for any skilled migration visa.
2. Which TRA program should an overseas cabinetmaker apply under?
Most applicants use the MSA program. If your passport is on the TRA OSAP Nominated Country list, OSAP is mandatory instead. Always check the current country list before submitting.
3. What experience is needed for the MSA program under ANZSCO 394111?
5 years of paid cabinetmaking experience (no qualification), or 3 years plus a directly related trade qualification. At least 12 months must fall within the last 3 years.
4. Can a Cabinetmaker apply for permanent residency in Australia?
Yes, ANZSCO 394111 is on MLTSSL and the skilled migration visa subclasses available under the points-tested skilled migration category are 189 and 190. Subclass 186 is available via employer sponsorship. A positive TRA assessment is required for all.
5. How long does the TRA skills assessment take for Cabinetmaker ANZSCO 394111?
MSA takes up to 120 days from online submission. OSAP takes around 15 weeks from RTO document receipt. The clock starts only once your application is confirmed complete.
25 WORKING DAYS
✅ 3 Career Episode
✅ 1 CPD
✅ 1 Summary Statement
✅ Plagiarism free Report
✅ Multiple Correction
❎ 3 Reports
❎ Professional Resume
❎ Portal Upload
❎ Handle of EA Comment
❎ After Sale Service
❎ New Career Episode
❎ Reference Letters
❎ Explanation Letter
❎ Rewrite Service
17 WORKING DAYS
✅ 3 Career Episode
✅ 1 CPD
✅ 1 Summary Statement
✅ Plagiarism free Report
✅ Multiple Correction
✅ 3 Reports
✅ Professional Resume
✅ Portal Upload
✅ Handle of EA Comment
✅ After Sale Service
✅ New Career Episode
✅ Reference Letters
✅ Explanation Letter
✅ Rewrite Service
