Mutual recognition for occupational licences in Australia

From February 2007, arrangements have been put in place making it easier for licensed tradespeople, and authorities that issue licences, to know what licence a worker is entitled to when applying for a licence in another jurisdiction. The arrangements cover licences issued to:

auto-gas installers carpenters and joiners, bricklayers electrical contractors electrical fitters, lineworkers, and cable jointers electricians motor vehicle repairers plumbers and gas-fitters refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics restricted electrical licence holders driving instructors, drivers transporting dangerous goods and explosives, passenger vehicle drivers, pilot and escort vehicle drivers property agents, valuers and conveyancers maritime occupations gaming occupations shotfirers and pyrotechnicians pest and weed controllers building related occupations

This website allows the user to look up a licence entitlement in another state or territory, based on the currently-held licence. The website also has information on who to contact to apply for a licence. Workers need to apply to the relevant authority, hold a current valid licence, and pay a licence fee, but the arrangements give certainty to most applicants about what licence will be issued. When they search on this website, some licence-holders will find that ‘no equivalent licence’ is stated. In these cases, workers can still apply for individual assessment as they have always been able to do.

The arrangements are the result of states, territories and the Commonwealth working together through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to improve the system of mutual recognition. As work continues, additional vocationally-trained, licensed occupations will be included on this website.

A Users' Guide to the Mutual Recognition Agreement and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement is available on the COAG Mutual Recognition website. Click on the link on the left side of this page and then click on "Users’ Guide to the Mutual Recognition Agreement and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement"

Mutual Recognition - Evaluation report available:

An evaluation of the outcomes of COAG's recommendations on full and effective mutual recognition of occupational licences across Australia was undertaken by the Allen Consulting Group for the COAG Skills Recognition Steering Committee. The report of the evaluation and the Steering Committee's response are available here. The report of the evaluation and the Steering Committee's response are available here.

COAG National Licensing System for Specified Occupations

Information on the development of a national licensing system for specified occupations is available at www.govdex.gov.au