Apparel Cutter – ANZSCO 393211

Apparel Cutter (ANZSCO 393211) is a skill level 3 occupation assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the ROL list and can be used for subclass 494.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 393211
Skill level: 3 – Certificate IV, or Certificate III with at least 2 years of on-the-job training, or 3 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: TRA
Occupation lists: ROL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3932 Clothing Trades Workers

Apparel Cutter job description and duties

Lays out, marks and cuts fabric to form parts of garments.

Tasks include

Conferring with customers to determine material, styles and designs of garments
Interpreting designs, sketches and samples to determine pattern specifications
Cutting out master patterns
Laying up and cutting fabric
Pinning, basting and draping garment parts
Sewing garments
Fitting basted garments on customers and marking areas requiring alteration
Sewing buttonholes, and sewing on buttons, hooks, eyes and press fasteners to finish garments
Pressing and finishing work

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification (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.

What the assessing authority expects: Trade qualification or apprenticeship plus paid employment in the trade, assessed by TRA.

Visa options for Apparel Cutter

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Apparel Cutter

This occupation is not on the federal lists for the 190 or 491 visas, so no state or territory can nominate it. Employer-sponsored visas may still apply.

Skills assessment for Apparel Cutter

TRA assesses trade occupations. Which program you use depends on your passport country and trade. Most applicants use the Migration Skills Assessment (a document-based check). If your passport country is listed against your trade, you must use the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, run by a TRA-approved training organisation, which adds a technical interview and, for licensed trades, a practical test.

The process

Check your program: Use TRA's Pathfinder: MSA, or OSAP if your passport country is listed for your trade.
Gather evidence: Qualification or apprenticeship papers, employer templates and pay evidence for every job.
Apply and pay: MSA through the TRA Online Portal; OSAP through an approved RTO.
Assessment: MSA: documents only (about 120 days). OSAP: documents, then technical interview, then practical if licensed.
Outcome: Outcome letter emailed to you.

What you need for this occupation

Migration Skills Assessment (most applicants): a qualification or apprenticeship directly relevant to the trade, plus paid employment in the trade shown by employer templates and pay evidence. Documents only, no interview.
Offshore Skills Assessment Program (listed passport countries): evidence checked by a TRA-approved training organisation, then a technical interview, plus a practical assessment for licensed trades.

Whether you must use OSAP depends on your passport country and trade. Check TRA's Pathfinder before applying.

Documents checklist

Passport ID page
Qualification certificates and transcripts or apprenticeship papers
TRA Employer Template for each period of employment
Pay evidence for each job (payslips, bank statements, tax records)
Self-employment evidence if applicable

Key facts

MSA fee: AUD 795 (review AUD 610)
MSA processing: About 120 days
Not available through MSA: Electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning mechanics (licensed trades)
Experience: Directly relevant paid employment in the trade is assessed; see TRA guidelines for your program
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the TRA skills assessment

No English test required. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 3932

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Apparel Cutter?

The ANZSCO code for Apparel Cutter is 393211. It is a skill level 3 occupation.

Who assesses Apparel Cutter for Australian migration?

Apparel Cutter is assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Apparel Cutter apply for?

Apparel Cutter is on the ROL list, so it can be used for: 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Do I need an English test for the Apparel Cutter skills assessment?

No. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, TRA and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.