Scheme takes work licences across borders

Tradies, teachers and hairdressers would have their licences to work recognised in all states without having to reapply, pay fees and fill out paperwork in a scheme being developed by the commonwealth and states.

Tradies, teachers and hairdressers would have their licences to work recognised in all states without having to reapply, pay fees and fill out paperwork in a scheme being developed by the commonwealth and states.

The plan is to make it easier to move to different parts of the country and get a job – once borders reopen.

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While work is still underway to finalise the details, it is aimed to be in place by January 1 next year.

A new scheme is being developed to ensure occupational licencing is recognised in each state without having to reapply to work in each jurisdiction. Picture: Brett Wortman

It would grant automatic recognition, so a person who holds an occupational licence in one state will be able to undertake equivalent work in another jurisdiction under that licence.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the reform meant the states and federal government working together would help people get back to work when restrictions eased.

“The new framework will cut red tape, drive job creation and allow workers to move more freely around the country to where the work is,” he said.

“This will especially assist our tradies apply their craft around the country without having to get individual licences in each state or territory if they are working across borders.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says automatic recognition of licencing will drive job creation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

There are currently more than 800 different licences in manual trades alone.

A licenced electrical contractor in Queensland can work in NSW, Victoria and the ACT without needing to hold additional paperwork.

But to do jobs in WA or SA they needed to pay additional fees of up to $536 a year, on top of the $395 a year for their Queensland licence, and fill out pages of paperwork.

Hairdressers do not need a licence to operate in Queensland, but do in NSW and SA, while there are different requirements for mining surveyors to operate in each state.

Further talks will be held by the Council on Federal Financial Relations, made up of the nation’s treasurers, before it is taken to National Cabinet in October.

Each state and territory will then be required to pass legislation supporting the automatic recognition scheme before it can come into effect on January 1, 2021.