Electricians' licences recognised across state borders

New laws are making it easier for licensed tradespeople to work across state borders. The laws that came into effect on 1 December promise to cut red tape for small business.

NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox said the Mutual Recognition (Automatic Licensed Occupations Recognition) Act 2014 allows certain licensed occupations, such as electricians, to carry out their trade in NSW on the basis of the licence they held in their home state.

NSW, Queensland and Victorian electricians can now work across the Queensland and Victorian borders using the licence issued by their home state.

“This means electricians no longer need two licences to work when they are doing work on the border. “They will face less paperwork and fewer fees than they would otherwise pay to hold numerous licences for the same work.”

Mason-Cox said the NSW Government was committed to streamlining interstate recognition of occupational licensing, making it easier to do business for tradespeople living and working in border communities.

“Queensland already recognises some NSW electricians’ licences under their Electrical Safety Act and regulations, which allows NSW electricians to work in Queensland without needing a further licence,” he said.

Mason-Cox said consumer protection continued to be front and centre of these reforms, which ensured that interstate licensees were subject to the same rules as local licensees when they do work in NSW.

“NSW Fair Trading will be able to take disciplinary and enforcement action against interstate licensees who work in NSW,” he said.