A new scheme starting today will make it easier and less expensive for thousands of Victorian businesses, tradespeople and other registered professionals to operate in multiple states and territories.

Under the ‘Automatic mutual recognition of occupational registrations’ (AMR) scheme, registered workers will no longer need to apply or pay for a new registration or licence to perform in another state or territory the same activities they are licensed to perform in their home state.

The Commonwealth has estimated that AMR could benefit more than 124,000 people who currently work across borders and encourage another 44,000 to do so.

Employers will also benefit where they rely on interstate workforces due to lower costs and a reduced administration burden.

Victoria will benefit too, as workers can move freely to plug skill gaps in infrastructure builds and critical essential services.

Safeguards will be in place to ensure that high standards of safety and service are maintained for consumers, workers and others.

AMR builds on and improves the existing mutual recognition arrangements by maintaining existing protections in place nationally and in each jurisdiction.

The scheme will be set out in the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth (MRA) and will be implemented and administered by state and territory governments.

AMR will commence in Victoria, NSW, the ACT and NT from today, 1 July 2021. Other states have committed to entering the scheme soon after.

Victorian licensing schemes will progressively commence AMR and interstate workers are advised to check the status of their profession by visiting Improving occupational mobility | Deregulation (pmc.gov.au).

Victorian workers wishing to work interstate should check that their licensed occupation is an AMR-recognised activity in the state they wish to work in.

The Andrews Labor Government is investing more than $74.8 million over the next four years to improve Victoria’s regulatory system and reduce the costs and barriers of doing business.