Mutual recognition of occupational licences

 Licence recognition website

From February 2007, new 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 new arrangements cover licences issued to:

• 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

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 new 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 new 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.

For further information contact the Helpline.