Mutual Recognition Scheme slashes red tape for tradies and professionals

In a move that has been welcomed by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, South Australia and Victoria will be the first states to implement the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme. The scheme removes the need for tradespersons and professionals to apply and pay for additional licenses to work across state borders.

The Scheme applies to an expanding range of specific licensed trades and licensed professions in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory. Western Australia is expected to join the scheme in July 2022.

Scheme will help to end skills shortage

Billson says the scheme, which was part of a swathe of Australian Government reforms,  is providing thousands of small business tradespeople the flexibility to work in different areas of the country.

“This red tape busting reform is helping small business tradespeople and other licensed professionals who want to meet the demand for their skills across the country,” Billson says.

“The scheme offers small business employers the opportunity to secure skilled workers from interstate.”

Workers can ply their trade nationally

The scheme also expands the ability of professionals to also seek work in different states without having to negotiate new licenses.

“Small business professionals such as real estate agents, teachers and lawyers have more scope and greater ease to work more seamlessly across state borders,” Billson says.

“My office has advocated for these important reforms and supports the efforts of the Australian Government’s Deregulation Taskforce to reduce red tape. It is an excellent outcome for the projected 168,000 people, including many from small businesses, that will directly benefit from these changes each year.

“We remain committed to working towards removing unnecessary headwinds for small businesses wherever possible to help make Australia the best place to start, grow and transform a business,” Billson concludes.

The Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme is expected to add over $2.4 billion to the Australian economy over the next 10 years.

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