National Occupational Licensing System - The Facts

In response to the inconsistencies in the licensing structures for specific occupations across the country, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has started the development of a national occupational licensing system (NOLS). Its aim is to allow tradespeople to work more smoothly between states and territories with just one license allowing them to work in all states and territories.

As part of NOLS, a license register will be established in which each trades type will be listed , advertising the type of license and set of services each tradesperson holds. Tradespeople will no longer be limited to one state/territory and will thereby have greater flexibility of employment.

Current licensees will automatically be transferred into NOLS. Migrants who want to be granted a license in an NOLS occupation will be required to fulfil the same skill requirements as Australian applicants. It is anticipated that all tradespeople working in Australia will be a part of NOLS.

The seven occupational areas to be covered are:

1. Air-conditioning and refrigeration;
2. Electrical;
3. Plumbing and gas-fitting;
4. Property agents (including conveyancers and valuers);
5. Building;
6. Land transport (i.e. passenger vehicle drivers & dangerous goods only);
7. Maritime agents.

NOLS is expected to be in force as soon as possible sometime after July 1st 2012. The implementation will be carried out in phases, starting with the first licences impacted being air-conditioning and refrigeration, electrical, plumbing and gas-fitting and property agents. The other occupational areas will be phased in during the following year.

Further information

• Council of Australian Governments: www.coag.gov.au
• National Occupational Licensing System: nola.gov.au/
• NOLS Decision Regulation Impact Statement: www.coag.gov.au
• NSW Fair Trading: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au