Occupational Licensing Fees

Workplace Standards are currently reviewing the fee structure for occupational licences under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 and have published the proposed fee schedule. At this stage it is not known when the new fee structure might start.

 Proposed fee schedule (IS123 - Sept 2011)

What is an 'operative'?

An operative is the qualified licensed trade's person (electrician, plumber, gasfitter and auto-gasfitter).

The contractor licence fee whether a sole trader, corporation or partnership with only one operative (practitioner/certifier), the one licence fee of $390 per year ($1100/three years) applies.

There are no additional contractor licence fees for multiple occupational licence holders. Consequently a contractor trading in more than one occupational trade will only pay the one contractor licence fee.

Practitioner/Certifier Licence - electrician, plumber, gasfitter and auto-gasfitter are individual trade licences. Persons with these licences can undertake prescribed work but cannot contract their work under this licence. One licence fee only applies to an individual whether or not they hold multiple trade licences, $98 per year or $260 for three years.

A plumber practitioner who also holds an electrical and gasfitter's licence will pay $98 per year ($260/three years).

The schedule includes a discounted contractor licence fee for an operative aged 65 years and over. One fee only will apply $98 per year or $260 for three years.

Insurance requirements apply for those holding a contractor's licence.

Scenarios

1. A sole trader plumber who is over 65 years will pay a discounted licence fee of $98 per year. (A further discount is offered for a three year licence i.e. $260 which equates to $86 per year)
   
   
2. A sole trader/ contractor plumber will pay a reduced licence fee of $390. (A discount is offered for a three year licence i.e. $1100 which equates to $367 per year). The licensed operative will need to be issued a practitioner / certifier licence. Under this example the practitioner / certifier licence will not attract a fee.
   
   
3. A corporate contractor employing 10 or more operatives will pay $1,000 per annum.  Each of the operatives within the contracting business will be required to pay for their individual practitioner / certifier licence, a fee of $98 per year or $260 for three years.
   
   
4. A person starts up a corporate company to undertake plumbing work and applies for a contractor’s licence. That person needs to employ a plumber certifier to do the work. The contractor fee will be $390 for one year ($1100 / three years) as the company only employs the one operative. There will be no fee for the plumber certifier licence.
   
   
5. Should this person diversify into electrical and gasfitting the company will need to appoint an operative for each of these trades who they themselves will hold a practitioner / certifier licence. The contractor fee will increase to $500 per year ($1450 / three years) based upon the number of licensed operatives she employs.  Each operative will pay $98 annually ($260 / three years) for a practitioner / certifier Licence.
   
   
6. If this person were to employ one operative only who was individually licensed to perform electrical, plumbing and gasfitting work the contractor fee is $390 per year. There is no additional fee for the multi-licensed practitioner / certifier.

Current fee schedule 2011-2012 financial year