Edition 39, October 2006

COAG decision on mutual recognition of vocationally trained licensed occupations

Following the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) decision of 10 February this year to promote a mobile workforce to help meet skills needs, solid progress is being made to attain full and effective mutual recognition of vocationally trained licensed occupations across all states and territories.

Mutual recognition arrangements

COAG agreed that governments will work with employers and unions to put in place more effective mutual recognition arrangements across states and territories for electricians, plumbers, motor mechanics, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics, carpenters and joiners, and bricklayers (skill shortage trades) by June 2007 and for all vocationally trained licensed occupations by December 2008.

Industry and regulators are involved, along with other stakeholders, to ensure that a streamlined, nationally consistent system is achieved without increased regulation.

Occupational Action Groups established

Four Occupational Action Groups (electricians, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics; motor mechanics; builders, carpenters and joiners, and bricklayers; and plumbers) were established early in the year to assist with implementation of the COAG decision. The Action Groups report to the COAG Skills Recognition Steering Committee, comprising senior officials from first minister's departments.

The Steering Committee has established that the COAG decision can be implemented by a more active approach to the operation of the existing mutual recognition scheme and will use the existing provisions in the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 to declare occupations equivalent.

Streamlined process for recognising overseas qualifications

The COAG decision in February also sought a new streamlined process for recognising overseas qualifications for the above six priority trades in the five main source countries of trade skilled migrants (South Africa, the United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines) by 1 July 2007. The Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) released a request for expressions of interest for the overseas skills assessment centres on 30 September and there will be a tender process later in the year.

Up to 40 occupations will be included in stage two of the mutual recognition process. These will be progressively added to the streamlined overseas assessment process. Priority will be on the basis of skills demand, labour mobility issues and economic importance. A number of occupations, which were to be included in stage two, have been included in the first stage because of their close relationship with the six priority occupations. These include cable jointers, line workers and electrical fitters, auto gas installers, gas fitters and builders.

The ministerial declarations of occupational equivalence for the six priority (and related) occupations are expected to be signed at the first meeting of COAG in 2007.

For further information contact Ms Julie Yeend, Assistant Secretary of the COAG Skills Recognition Taskforce, on 02 6271 5621 or julie.yeend@coagskillstaskforce.gov.au

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