As many as 168,000 workers are expected to use their professional registrations and licences across state borders as part of a deregulation plan for occupations ranging from electricians and architects to real estate agents.

The expanded JobPass scheme – announced by the federal government on Sunday – is designed to create a more mobile workforce through automatic recognition of interstate licences and registrations. The idea is to let people work in different states and territories without delays, additional fees or paperwork.