A Trade Recognition Certificate is a formal document issued by the Skills Commission that confirms a person’s skills, experience and competency in a trade, even if they have not completed a formal apprenticeship or qualification in Australia. 

why get your trade recognition certificate?

Recognition certificates can play an important role for experienced workers who seek employment,  want a licence or licence upgrade, or proof they are competent as trade professionals in the landscaping industry. This certificate can be particularly critical for employers wishing to engage apprentices. Key reasons to get your recognition certificate are:

• It is a formal recognition of a person’s knowledge in the landscaping profession which can be used as proof of experience when applying for licences, insurance and bank loans.

• Landscapers cannot employ apprentices unless they have a trade certificate or an equivalent qualification/accreditation. A recognition certificate is identified by the Skills Commission as an equivalent qualification and provides landscapers the appropriate paperwork to engage and supervise apprentices.

• Landscapers with a certificate will have equivalent professional status as those with trade certificates, giving them an equal footing when advertising their credentials and business. 

who can apply?

Any individual who is employed, or has been employed, within the landscaping industry. Applicants  must have a minimum four years' experience. 

how do i apply?

Trade recognition certificates (Occupational Certificates) are issued by the Skills Commission of South Australia. If you wish to obtain a recognition certificate, you must make an application with the Skills Commission. 

To apply, register your interest at Occupational recognition service - South Australian Skills Commission. 

As part of your application, the skills commission has provided a checklist of documents that can be view here. 

Applications will be forwarded to MLSA for assessment under the TEP program.

how much does it cost?

Application fee:  $567

Competency assessment fee:  $1,135

Total: $1,702

If the applicant requires a follow up assessment, an additional fee of $227 is required.

How do I Gain TEP accreditation?

To determine whether applicants are fit and proper to hold a trade recognition certificate, they will be assessed under MLSA's TEP program. Within an application, you will need to provide

• resume/portfolio of your work
• reference from a referee who is either a JP, director of a landscape company (work colleague or external), or an expert in the Landscaping industry verifying your credentials.

The assessment process occurs over three stages (in ascending order).

Stage 1 - examination test containing 66 questions.

Stage 2 - an Interview. 

Stage 3 - on-site experience analysis

Questions within Stage 1 and Stage 2 will include the following topics:

• Health and safety - provisions under the Work Health and Safety Act.
• Building Code of Australia - requirements under the National Construction Code, Housing Provisions Standard and general Australian Standards relevant to landscaping.
• Technical application - installation methods and practices.

The analysis of on-site work for Stage 3 will be performed as either of the following

1)  an on-site inspection 

This will be conducted by MLSA at a convenient time for all parties.

or

2)  a review of a portfolio of works.

The portfolio shall include the following documents

i) Plans and Specifications of a worked project 
ii) Plant establishment plan of a worked project
iii) Site safety analysis including personal protection equipment (PPE), tool check, amenity (toilet) location and first aid location. 

Information in the portfolio should include either video and/or photographic evidence showing the person performing work and/or the finished product. A minimum of one photo (20 in total), or 15 seconds of video action, will be required for each element listed below. 

- how a job is marking out 
- measurements of a hard structure (to compare against the plans)
- Datum points or bench level establishment
- use of leveling equipment
- drainage during construction
- plants used on site (compared against the plans/specifications)
- pruning 
- planting (showing strategic planning for species)
- soil suitability for planting
- pH testing
- use of tools for outbuilding construction
- installation of an outbuilding or structure
- NCC compliance i.e. outbuilding distances to boundary
- Concrete foundations for minor domestic structures
- finished stairs
- finished paving
- finished features i.e. water
- finished retaining wall
- finished fence
- finished outbuilding

The person seeking TEP accreditation shall be evident in all photos or video images.

can i apply only for A TEP?

Provided you meet eligibility criteria, applications for TEP accreditation can be directly accepted by MLSA. Should you wish to only obtain TEP accreditation, click on the registration button below and provide us with your relevant details. 

Note that Trade Recognition Certificates (Occupational Certificates) are only issued by the Skills Commission; applications for these certificates must be made directly to the Skills Commission and include payment of their relevant application fees. 

cost of TEP applications?

Members: $865.00

Non-Member: $1,155.00

Discounts may apply pending circumstances. These fees do not apply to applicants who have made a prior application for a Trade registration certificate (Occupational Certificate) with the Skills Commission and paid the relevant fees for that application.

TEP ACCREDITATION

All applicants who are assessed under the TEP program and have proven their knowledge and experience as a highly competent person in the landscape industry will be endorsed as a TEP and provided with a certificate as evidence.

Interviews are conducted by MLSA Assessment Officers: Chris Wiltshire CEO (primary), Martin Elton (proxy)

REGISTER NOW

REFEREE TEMPLATE