Last Updated:
Saturday, 23. August 2008

Trade Licensing Information

Your Comments on Australian Trade Licensing

Feel free to pass this page link onto others, the URL is: http://www.britzinoz.com/info/lic_trade.htm

Main Index
Related pages on this website:
Trade Licence
Electrical Licence
QLD Electrical Licensing

Skills Assessment

Before you can migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant you must have your skills assessed by the relevant National Assessment Authority.

The Skills Assessment Authority for people with United Kingdom residence is:

Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)

GPO Box 2752
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia
Telephone: 61 3 9655 4801
Fax: 61 3 9654 3385
Website: www.vetassess.com.au

There are three assessment phases to go through:

  • a free self-assessment tool for potential applicants to gauge their suitability for the assessment process.

  • a paper based pre-assessment that would take into account qualifications and work experience in the relevant trade.

  • a technical interview and in-country practical assessment.

It may then be necessary to obtain a licence or registration from the relevant government licensing authority.

 

THE LICENSING OF BUILDING and ALLIED WORKERS IN AUSTRALIA

To work in certain trades in Australia you must register and/or have a license from the relevant State or Territory registration and licensing authority. Licenses are issued in various grades which define the work you can do.

The following page links will try to put together as much Information as possible:

  • Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI)

    This site, http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/index.htm, will help you find out how to get an assessment of occupational qualifications, skills or experience that you have gained overseas. You can also find state-specific licensing and registration requirements to practice your occupation in Australia.

      <<<<<  ENSURE THAT YOU CHECK YOUR EXACT OCCUPATION AT THAT LINK >>>>>

Does a Carpenter need a Licence in Australia ?

An example of the information obtained from the above website is:

Occupation:  Carpenter   Source: Carpenter

Carpenter Job Description:
Constructs, erects, installs, renovates and repairs structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, wallboard and other materials.

  • New South Wales
    Licensing is compulsory for unsupervised residential trade work. Licensing is not required for commercial or residential trade work.

  • Victoria
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter in Victoria.

  • Queensland
    Licensing is compulsory in order to carry out or supervise building work over the value of $1100 (including Labour and materials).

  • South Australia
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter in South Australia.

  • Western Australia
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter in Western Australia.

  • Tasmania
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter in Tasmania.

  • Northern Territory
    Registration is compulsory in order to carry out residential building work over the value of $12,000.

  • Australian Capital Territory
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter in the ACT.

Carpenter and Joiner Carpenter and Joiner Job Description:
Constructs and installs structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, or wallboard and cuts, shapes and fits timber parts to form structures and fittings.

  • New South Wales
    Licensing is compulsory for unsupervised residential trade work. Licensing is not required for commercial or residential trade work.

  • Victoria
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter and Joiner in Victoria if work is performed on behalf of a licensed practitioner or work does not exceed $5000.

  • Queensland
    Licensing is compulsory in order to carry out or supervise building work over the value of $1100 (including Labour and materials).

  • South Australia
    Licensing is required for electrical work.

  • Western Australia
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter and Joiner in Western Australia.

  • Tasmania
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter and Joiner in Tasmania if work is performed on behalf of a licensed practitioner, or work does not exceed $5000.

  • Northern Territory
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter and Joiner in the Northern Territory if work is performed on behalf of a licensed practitioner, or work does not exceed the value of $12,000.

  • Australian Capital Territory
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for the occupation of Carpenter and Joiner in the ACT if work is performed on behalf of a licensed practitioner, or work does not exceed $5000.

Carpentry and Joinery Tradespersons - Supervisor  Carpentry and Joinery Tradespersons - Supervisor Job description:
Supervises and coordinates the activities of carpentry and joinery tradespersons.

  • New South Wales
    Licensing is compulsory for unsupervised residential trade work. Licensing not required for commercial or residential trade work.

  • Victoria
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Victoria.

  • Queensland
    Licensing is compulsory in order to carry out or supervise building work over the value of $1100 (including Labour and materials).

  • South Australia
    Licensing is required for electrical work.

  • Western Australia
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Western Australia.

  • Tasmania
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Tasmania.

  • Northern Territory
    Registration is compulsory in order to carry out residential building work over the value of $12,000.

  • Australian Capital Territory
    There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in the ACT.

If you are licensed in one State and move to another, the following applies:

Mutual Recognition

  • By agreement between Australian states, territories and the Commonwealth, people registered to work in an occupation in one jurisdiction are entitled to have their registration (in the form of a licence, permit, etc) recognised by another jurisdiction. This system of ‘mutual recognition’ has operated since 1992.

  • I don’t require a licence to work in my home state/territory, but I would if I moved interstate. What do I do to obtain a licence in the second jurisdiction?
    You will need to apply under normal licence application procedures to the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction in which you wish to work. Mutual recognition does not apply in your circumstances.

 

  • Electrical Trades - <<  see link

     

  • Bricklayers - After a bit of delving into this, I have a feeling that the following is common here: You get your trade assessed, in the UK, by the TRA who basically confirm that you can be an Australian bricklayer (employed), and earn the basic wage as an employee.  However, when you arrive in Australia, you find that contractors earn more than employed workers, etc, and to fit into that category, you then find that you have to go through a lot of extra exams (including a 3 day management course), and cost in getting the required builders licence, to be able to work under that title.  I suggest checking this out FULLY, if this is relevant to you.  I have heard that it can take 4-6 months, and cost about $2,500 to get a full licence.  I am not 100% on this, but suggest looking into it further.

     

  • General Building - For QLD licence requirements, have a look at: http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/.../DoYouNeedALicence.htm
    The page quotes:

    • Do you need to be licensed?
      BSA currently licences builders and trade contractors in many different classes of licence including those listed below.
      A licence is required if an individual or company wants to carry out or supervise building work over the value of $1100 (including labour and materials), or wants to carry out or supervise work of any value in the following areas:

      • Plumbing and Drainage

      • Gasfitting

      • Termite Management - Chemical

      • Completed Residential Building Inspection

      • Fire Protection

      • Building Design

      • Site Classifier

 

  • Some examples of Licensing requirements for Painter & Decorators in the different States here: source

New South Wales
Licensing is compulsory for unsupervised residential trade work. Licensing is not required for commercial or residential trade work.
Victoria
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Victoria.
Queensland
Licensing is compulsory in order to carry out or supervise building work over the value of $1100 (including Labour and materials).

 

 

Queensland:

 

Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003

The Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003 (Help with Downloading and Printing PDF 350 kB)

  • sets the competencies and experience required to get a plumbers and drainers licence, a restricted licence or an endorsement on a licence, and
  • sets the fees payable for licensing matters

Amendments to the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003 and the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003(Help with Downloading and Printing PDF 313 kB)

 

BLUE CARD

If you are going to work on ANY construction site you will also need to obtain a Construction General Induction Competency certificate, also known as a "Construction Blue Card". This is a legal requirement and affects Builders, Bricklayers, Electricians etc.

Principal Contractors are NOT allowed to employ anyone on site if they do not hold such a blue card. Workers can also be fined if found working without them.


This link may give you an idea about it:

Other States may have differences, and links will be placed here as I locate them.

 

ADDRESSES OF PLUMBING, DRAINING AND GASFITTING REGISTRATION AND LICENSING AUTHORITIES

New South Wales

Manager Licensing, Department of Fair Trading, Level 21 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000. 13 32 20

Victoria

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers Registration Board, 450 Burke Road, Camberwell Vic 3124. (03) 9889 2211

Queensland

Plumbers and Drainers Examination and Licensing Board, 12th Floor, 111 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000. (07) 3235 4149

Western Australia Water, Sanitary, Drainage and Plumbing only

Plumbers Licensing, Water Corporation, 629 Newcastle Street, Leederville WA 6007. (08) 9420 2662

Gasfitting only

Gas Regulation Officer, State Energy Commission of WA, Office of Energy, 20 Southport Street, Leederville WA 6007. (08) 9422 5297

South Australia

Plumbing and Gasfitting Secretariat, Office of Consumer and Business Affairs, Business and Occupational Services, 91-97 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000. (08) 8204 9660

Tasmania

Plumbers and Gasfitters Registration Board, Level 6, T.G.I.O. Building, 144-148 Macquarie Street, Hobart Tas 7001. (03) 6233 7001

Northern Territory

Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board, Department of Lands Planning and Environment, 1st Floor, Darwin Plaza Buildings, The Mall, Darwin NT 0800. (08) 8924 4036

Gasfitting only

Work Health Authority, 66 Esplanade, Darwin NT 0800. (08) 8999 5141

Australian Capital Territory

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers Registration Board, Building, Electrical and Plumbing Control, 16 Challis Street, Dickson ACT 2601. (02) 6207 6309

Links

 

Other

You may have a problem if you use the common 110v British site tools.

All Australian sites use the full 240v power.

A few Brits have brought a transformer with them, but end up using Australian tools. You could keep yours for home use with a transformer though.

You may be eligible for recognition, in one or more of the trades listed below, if you have completed acceptable formal training in countries other than Australia.
List of trades scheduled under the TRR Act that can be applied for:

Armature winder
Automotive electrician
Blacksmith
Body maker, first class
Boilermaker
Boilermaker and structural steel tradesperson
Coppersmith
Electrical Fitter
Electrical Fitter (instruments)
Electrical mechanic
Electroplater, first class
First class machinist
First class machinist (boring)
First class machinist (drilling)
First class machinist (grinding)
First class machinist (milling)
First class welder (blacksmithing)
First class welder (engineering)
First class welder (sheetmetal)
Fitter
Fitter (diesel)
Fitter (instruments)
Fitter and first class machinist
Fitter and turner
Forger
Ground engineer (airframe)
Ground engineer (airframe and engines)
Ground engineer (electrical)
Ground engineer (engines)
Ground engineer (instruments)
Ground engineer (radio)
Locksmith
Machine setter
Mechanic (marine and other engines 200cc & above)
Motor cycle mechanic
Motor mechanic
Panel beater
Pattern maker
Refrigeration mechanic
Scientific instrument maker
Sheet metal worker, first class
Structural steel tradesperson
Telecommunications mechanic
Tradesperson heat treater
Tradesperson (radio)
Tradesperson (radio and television)
Tradesperson (television)
Turner
Welder, first class (boilermaking)

PEER TEC is a leading Private Training Provider that provides upskill training and assessment for qualified Tradespersons who are required to maintain their licences and their competencies under various laws and regulations or who want to be employed as Tradespersons in the building, construction and contracting industry in South Australia.
The trade-based training offered is for Electrical, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Telecommunication, Security Systems Installers, Plumbing and Sprinkler Fitting New Apprentices.

Peer Tec
1042 Port Rd., Albert Park, SA. 5014
http://www.peer.com.au


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