Occupational registrations within the AMR scheme – UPDATE

Thank you for your ongoing engagement with the development of the automatic mutual recognition of occupational registrations (AMR scheme). 

The Commonwealth Parliament passed the Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021 (the Bill) and the AMR scheme was implemented in NSW, Victoria, ACT and NT on 1 July 2021. Other jurisdictions are expected to progressively enter the AMR scheme, pending the passage of legislation in each state.

Occupational registrations within the AMR scheme

The new AMR scheme applies to all occupational registrations covered by the existing mutual recognition arrangements within Australia under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992. This covers the licensing, approval, administration, certification, or any other form of authorisation, a person is legally required to hold before they can carry on an occupation.

Occupational registrations excluded from the AMR scheme

As a transitional arrangement, a state or territory Minister may exempt certain occupational registrations for up to 12 months from the commencement of the scheme. A state and territory Minister can also exclude certain occupational registrations from the AMR scheme for five years if satisfied that there is a significant risk to:

  • consumer protection,
  • the environment,
  • animal welfare, or
  • the health or safety of workers or the public.

The exclusions are published on the Federal Register of Legislation and participating state and territory regulators have also published information on these exemptions. Where a licence or registration is excluded from the AMR scheme, to work in that state or territory a person would need to apply to the state or territory regulator for a licence or registration to carry out the activity. The existing mutual recognition arrangements are available to support this process. For more information about those arrangements visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.   

Implementing the AMR scheme

Communications are being rolled out progressively from 1 July 2021 to support the transitional period. We have developed communication materials to assist with messaging to industry on the reforms. Further information on the project can be found here. Please email us at occupationalmobility1@pmc.gov.au if you have questions at any stage.

If you would like your email address removed from our contacts list, please reply via return email.

Regards

Chris Atkinson

AMR Implementation Team

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

WAIS Industry Partners
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