Electricians in NSW, Queensland and Victoria can now work across state borders using their home state licence under new Mutual Recognition laws.
The Mutual Recognition (Automatic Licensed Occupation Recognition) Act 2014 came into force on Monday (December 1) and allows electricians to work across state borders using their home state licences, this removes the red tape of having to obtain another licence to do the same work in another state and therefore saves time and money.
According to a NSW Fair Trading media release, NSW Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox stated that the NSW Government was committed to streamlining interstate recognition of occupational licensing to make doing business for tradespeople living and working in border communities easier. He also stated that consumer protection is front and centre of these occupational licensing reforms that inter-state licensees would be subject to the same rules as local licensees in NSW.
NSW electricians who work in Queensland will be employed as an electrical mechanic (electrician), NSW electricians who work in Victoria will have to notify Energy Safe Victoria before they start work and NSW electricians who work in the ACT will have to apply to have their licence recognised under ACT Mutual Recognition before they start work.
More information on The Mutual Recognition (Automatic Licensed Occupation Recognition) Act 2014 and how it affects an electrician’s licence can be found here.