Trade Certify

What Trade Certify does

Trade Certify is an Australian private company (Trade Certify Pty Ltd) that operates as a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) facilitation service, connecting experienced tradespeople with ASQA-registered Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that issue nationally recognised AQF qualifications. The company is headquartered in Arncliffe, Sydney, with 9 employees and serves only the Australian market. Its offering is structured as a four-step process: a free skills check to determine RPL eligibility, portfolio preparation guidance (compiling photos, videos, references, job cards, invoices and site documentation), submission to a partner RTO for formal assessment, and nationally recognised qualification issuance. The company offers six trade-specific RPL pathways — Building & Construction, Carpentry, Plumbing Services, Automotive Trades, Painting & Decorating, and Automotive Electrical — and serves primarily experienced tradies without formal qualifications, with a secondary segment for overseas-trained tradespeople seeking Australian recognition.

The technology stack is a web-based RPL facilitation platform augmented by AI-assisted verification tools that review and process applicant documentation and evidence; the company is explicit that AI is supplementary and does not replace RTO assessment judgement. Distribution and customer acquisition are direct-to-consumer: the website is the primary storefront with trade-specific service pages, supported by a national 1300 number for inside sales, a dedicated Account Manager onboarding model, and community-led demand generation through verified Google reviews from named clients. Revenue is generated via one-time facilitation fees per applicant (amount not publicly disclosed), with non-refundable terms once the qualification is issued, a deposit required at enrolment, and a gap assessment rescheduling fee of the greater of $100 or a pre-disclosed amount. A referral pathway to partner Licence Assist extends the lifecycle into post-qualification trade licensing.

The business model is asset-light services intermediation rather than regulated training delivery — Trade Certify is not itself an RTO but acts as a facilitator, working with ASQA-registered RTOs (including MAX Education Pty Ltd as a recurring third-party agent) and reserving the right to transfer applicants between RTOs. This structure lowers capital requirements but creates dependency on RTO partner capacity, compliance posture, and willingness to accept transferred applicants.

Name

Trade Certify

Legal name

Trade Certify Pty Ltd

Website

https://tradecertify.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trade Certify is an Australian RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) facilitation service that helps experienced tradespeople convert on-the-job skills into nationally recognised AQF qualifications. It serves individual tradies across six trade verticals via a portfolio-based assessment process with ASQA-registered RTO partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education & Training (RPL Facilitation)

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) & Equivalency Assessment Authorities (EDADAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

Keywords

• RPL facilitation services
• Trade qualification assessment
• Recognition of Prior Learning
• Vocational education facilitation
• Trade licensing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Arncliffe, Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. RPL Facilitation Services: Trade Certify charges facilitation fees for its RPL services covering portfolio preparation guidance, RTO coordination, and administrative support throughout the application process. The fees are disclosed prior to service commencement. Facilitation fees are non-refundable once facilitation services are complete and the qualification has been issued. A deposit is required upon enrolment, refundable only under specific conditions including withdrawal within 10 days of application date prior to RTO submission, or if the RTO assessor determines the applicant cannot be issued a qualification. Gap assessment rescheduling fees apply at the greater of $100 or any pre-disclosed amount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trade Certify is an Australian RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) facilitation service that helps experienced tradespeople convert years of on-the-job experience into nationally recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework. The company acts as an intermediary between tradies and ASQA-registered Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), guiding applicants through a four-step process: free skills check, portfolio preparation, formal RTO assessment, and qualification issuance. It offers six trade-specific RPL pathways: Building & Construction, Carpentry, Plumbing Services, Automotive Trades, Painting & Decorating, and Automotive Electrical.

Product overview

Trade Certify operates as a single unified RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) facilitation service that helps experienced Australian tradies obtain nationally recognised qualifications. The core offering consists of six trade-specific RPL pathways: Building & Construction, Carpentry, Plumbing Services, Automotive Trades, Painting & Decorating, and Automotive Electrical. These services are supported by a Free Skills Check for eligibility assessment, Portfolio Preparation Service for evidence gathering, and a referral pathway to Licence Assist for post-qualification licensing. The company partners with ASQA-registered RTOs and MAX Education Pty Ltd to facilitate the formal assessment and qualification issuance process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Licence Assist Referral Referral pathway to Licence Assist for guidance on obtaining state- and trade-specific trade licences after a tradie receives their nationally recognised qualification through Trade Certify's RPL pathway.
• Building & Construction RPL RPL pathway for experienced builders to get formal recognition of their project management, site supervision, and trade coordination skills, resulting in a nationally recognised qualification issued by an ASQA-registered RTO. Targeted at working Australian builders who have years of practical site experience but lack formal credentials.
• Carpentry RPL RPL pathway for experienced carpenters to validate their framing-to-finishing skills and obtain a nationally recognised qualification. For working carpenters who have built expertise on the job and need formal recognition for licensing or supervisory roles.
• Plumbing Services RPL RPL pathway for plumbers to have their hands-on experience in drainage, gas fitting, and hot water systems formally assessed and recognised through a nationally recognised qualification. For plumbers with substantial practical experience seeking formal credentialing.
• Automotive Trades RPL RPL pathway for mechanics to have their automotive servicing, diagnostics, and repair skills formally recognised via a nationally recognised qualification. For working mechanics and automotive tradespeople seeking formal credentials without classroom training.
• Painting & Decorating RPL RPL pathway for experienced painters to get formal recognition for their trade skills via a nationally recognised qualification. For painters and decorators with substantial practical experience.
• Automotive Electrical RPL RPL pathway for auto electricians to have their diagnostics, wiring, and electronic installation skills formally assessed and recognised via a nationally recognised qualification. For auto electricians with substantial practical experience.
• Free Skills Check No-obligation initial review of a tradie's work history and skills to confirm RPL eligibility and determine the right pathway before enrolment. Provided free of charge to prospective applicants.
• Portfolio Preparation Service Expert guidance in gathering and organising evidence — including photos, videos, references, job cards, and documentation — into a portfolio suitable for submission to an ASQA-registered RTO for formal RPL assessment.

Quantifiable outcome

• RPL assessment typically takes 4–8 weeks after portfolio submission to the RTO, significantly faster than full course completion at TAFE
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASQA-Registered RTOs (multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade Certify partners with ASQA-registered RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) who are authorised to issue nationally recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Trade Certify facilitates RPL applications and forwards completed portfolios to these RTOs for independent assessment and qualification issuance. The company reserves the right to transfer applicants between RTOs if compliance or operational issues arise.
• MAX Education Pty LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMAX Education Pty Ltd is the third-party agent to whom Trade Certify facilitates applicant enrolments. Trade Certify exclusively works with RTOs through active working relationships and only facilitates applications to MAX Education Pty Ltd and/or RTOs with which it has active partnerships.
• Licence AssistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLicence Assist is a trusted partner referral for trade licensing guidance. While Trade Certify does not handle licensing directly, it refers customers to Licence Assist for guidance on specific next steps for obtaining trade licenses by state and trade, post-qualification.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• RPL Pathways: Australian RPL facilitator that helps experienced tradespeople convert on-the-job experience into nationally recognised qualifications — directly comparable to Trade Certify in target customer, value proposition, and RTO partnership model.
• Skill Recognition Australia: Australian RPL facilitator focused on tradies seeking formal recognition of prior learning, with a similar service model and customer base to Trade Certify.
• Acquire Skills Australia: Australian RPL facilitator offering trade qualification pathways for experienced workers, operating on a similar facilitation-plus-RTO-partnership model.
• Viva Training: Australian RPL and training provider offering recognition of prior learning across trades, with comparable direct-to-consumer positioning to Trade Certify.

Broad incumbents

• CTA Training & Education: Western Australia-based RTO offering RPL and full qualifications across multiple trades, comparable as a broader incumbent offering RPL alongside traditional training pathways.
• Australian Trade Training: Australian RTO offering trade qualifications including RPL pathways, competing for the same customers but as a registered training organisation rather than a pure facilitator.
• Builders Academy Australia: Australian RTO specialising in building and construction trade training with RPL offerings — directly overlaps Trade Certify's core building & construction RPL pathway.
• TAFE NSW: Major public Australian RTO offering RPL across trades. Operates as a broad incumbent against which Trade Certify positions itself as a faster, cheaper alternative.
• Open Colleges: Large Australian online education provider offering RPL pathways across trades and vocational fields, comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping RPL facilitation capability.

Others

• Certify Group: Parent platform referenced by Trade Certify's student login URL — likely an affiliated entity providing the LMS/back-office that supports Trade Certify's RPL facilitation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trade Certify