National licensing update

A number of members have recently contacted HIA inquiring about the new national licensing system including what type of work will be covered and what qualifications may be required.

What is national licensing?
At the moment, licensing requirements across Australia are not consistent. Licensing is predominantly a state and territory function with each state and territory government having their own regulators and own rules, criteria and categories.

For instance, all builders in Western Australia must be licensed whilst in New South Wales commercial builders are not required to hold a licence.

In 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to develop a national licensing system for a number of occupational areas, including building and construction occupations. A national licence will replace existing state and territory licences. Local regulators (ie. the BSA in Qld) will issue and administer the national licences in their region.

When will it begin?
National licensing for building occupations is scheduled to start in July 2013.

Some other occupational groups, including plumbers and electricians will have national licences from July 2012.

What is the process?
Legislation that establishes the framework for the national licensing system has now been passed by most state Parliaments.

However the real “nuts and bolts” will be provided in industry specific regulations.

These regulations will cover issues such as the coverage of licensing in residential, commercial and industrial sectors; licence categories and entry and training requirements. The regulations will be developed via Interim Advisory Committees who are being established to provide advice on the policy design for each of the occupational areas.

The IAC for the building occupations is currently being formed and will first meet in early 2011.

A number of items are up for debate at the IAC including, whether commercial builders will be licensed, license levels for residential builders and “grandfathering” provisions.

HIA will have a representative on the committee.

HIA will continue to update members on the new national licensing system as more details come to hand.

For more information, call an HIA Workplace Adviser on 1300 650 620

_{DISCLAIMER – the above is intended to provide general information in summary form. The contents do not constitute specific advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal specific advice should be sought by members with respect to particular matters before taking action.}