Edition 50, October 2007

Improvements to mutual recognition arrangements for licensed occupations

From February 2007, new arrangements have been put in place to make it easier for people in vocationally trained licensed occupations to know in advance what licence they are entitled to if they wish to work in another state or territory.

This is good news for training and registration authorities as they will have an easily accessible, clear and definitive guide to what licence should be issued to people moving from another jurisdiction. National employers with mobile workforces will also benefit from the transparency of the new arrangements and the greater ease with which registration authorities are able to assess mutual recognition applications.

The cooperative work of states and territories on mutual recognition of occupational licences follows from COAG's decision to implement full and effective mutual recognition of occupational licensing across Australia, including in priority skills shortages trades. As a result, a streamlined system for mutual recognition has been developed in close consultation with regulators, employers and unions. The new arrangements involve joint declarations by ministers of equivalent occupations under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992, including any conditions necessary to achieve equivalence.

Ministerial declarations made in February and August 2007 state what licences will be recognised in each jurisdiction for a number of priority trades (although not all these trades are regulated in all jurisdictions) including:

  • electricians
  • electrical fitters, lineworkers, and cable jointers
  • tradespeople with restricted electrical licences
  • plumbers and gas-fitters
  • carpenters and joiners, bricklayers, and builders
  • refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics
  • auto-gas installers
  • motor vehicle repairers.

A full list of the 31 licensed occupations within these trades is below. Additional information on licence recognition, including equivalent licences for the 31 occupations, is available at www.licencerecognition.gov.au.

Ministerial declarations are being developed for other vocationally trained, licensed occupations including property agents, pest and weed controllers, and land transport and maritime occupations. Work on mutual recognition of licensed occupations will be completed by December 2008.

Ministerial declarations will be kept up-to-date through an annual update process. A protocol for new and major revisions to occupational registration has also been developed.

For more information contact Ms Julie Yeend, Assistant Secretary of the COAG Skills Recognition Taskforce on (02) 6240 8674 or julie.yeend@coagskillstaskforce.gov.au

For more information on licence recognition visit www.licencerecognition.gov.au

Licensed occupations covered by ministerial declarations in February and August 2007

 

Occupation

Declaration dated

1

General Electrician

Feb 07

2

Supervisor, Electrician

Feb 07

3

Electrician Special Class

 

4

Electrical Powerline Tradesperson (line worker)

Feb 07

5

Cable Jointer

Feb 07

6

General Plumber

Feb 07

7

Supervisor, Plumber

Feb 07

8

Gasfitter

Feb 07

9

Drainer

Feb 07

10

Roof Plumber

Feb 07

11

Mechanical Services and Air-conditioning Plumber

Feb 07

12

Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic

Feb 07

13

Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic Supervisor

Feb 07

14

Carpenter and Joiner

Feb 07

15

Carpenter

Feb 07

16

Joiner

Feb 07

17

Supervisor, Carpentry and Joinery Tradesperson

Feb 07

18

Cabinetmaker

Feb 07

19

Bricklayer

Feb 07

20

Supervisor, Bricklayer

Feb 07

21

Builder

Feb 07

22

Auto Gas Installer

Feb 07

23

Motor mechanic

Aug 07

24

Automotive Electrician

Aug 07

25

Panel Beater

Aug 07

26

Vehicle Painter

Aug 07

27

Vehicle Body Makers

Aug 07

28

Supervisor, Vehicle Body Makers

Aug 07

29

Motor mechanic - (Brake Mechanic)

Aug 07

30

Motor mechanic (Motorcycle Mechanic)

Aug 07

31

Motor mechanic (Automotive Transmission Mechanic)

Aug 07

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