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Interstate occupational licences and registrations

Working in the ACT

If you have an occupational licence or registration in another state, you may be able to work in the ACT. There are two ways to work in the ACT using your interstate licence or registration:

Automatic Mutual Recognition allows workers with an occupational registration or licence in one Australian state or territory (their home state) to work in another without paying additional fees or applying for another registration.

Mutual recognition means your qualification is recognised in the ACT, but you must apply for the equivalent ACT registration and pay a fee.

Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme

If you’re eligible to use the scheme you work under an Automatic Deemed Registration. This means that you can continue the same activities that you do in your home state.

Your home state is the state or territory where you live or complete most of your work.

The Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme allows regulators to maintain industry standards and protect consumers. The scheme does not change your rights or responsibilities when working with consumers.

All workers who conduct activities in the ACT must abide by ACT law and regulations.

Working outside the ACT

The Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme is available in every state and territory except Queensland. Find more information about AMR in:

Check if you can use Automatic Mutual Recognition

To work under the AMR scheme you must:

  • work in an occupation recognised under the scheme - check the list below
  • hold a valid licence in your home state or territory that covers the activity you intend to carry out in the ACT
  • notify us of your intention to work under an Automatic Deemed Registration
  • comply with the conditions on the licence issued by your home state
  • comply with all laws in the ACT that apply to your occupation and licensed activities.

Depending on your occupation you may also need to:

Recognised occupations

Interstate workers with registration in the occupations below may be eligible for Automatic Mutual Recognition to work in the ACT:

  • Alcohol ignition interlock installer and servicing
  • Architects
  • Assistant real estate, business & stock and station agents
  • Authorised (car) examiners
  • Bus service operators
  • Controlled (Combat) Sports officials and contestants
  • Driving instructors
  • Assistance animal trainers and assessors
  • Gaming technicians
  • Professionals who deal with radiation producing equipment
  • Heavy vehicle driver assessors
  • Hire car service providers
  • Pest and weed control operators
  • Race bookmaker/Agent and Sports bookmaker agents
  • Real estate, business, stock and station agent and land auctioneers
  • Rideshare driver accreditors
  • Security industry professionals
  • Land surveyors
  • Taxi service operators
  • Transport booking service providers
  • Motor Vehicle Dealers, Wholesalers and Repairers
  • Second-hand dealers and Pawnbrokers
  • Water drillers

If your occupation isn’t on the list, it could mean:

  • your occupation is not eligible for AMR, or
  • your occupation doesn’t need to be registered in the ACT, or
  • there is already a national or state-based automatic recognition scheme in place for your occupation in the ACT.

Check if you're eligible for AMR

When you can’t use Automatic Mutual Recognition

You can’t use AMR if you:

  • are licensed in Queensland. Queensland does not participate in the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme.
  • are licensed in New Zealand. Your occupation may be recognised under separate Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangements.  Visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website about the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangements.
  • are the subject of current civil, criminal or occupational discipline proceedings in any state or territory.
  • have conditions on a licence for the occupation due to criminal, civil or occupational disciplinary proceeding in any state or territory.
  • have had your licence suspended or cancelled in any state or territory.
  • have been refused a licence for the occupation in any state or territory.
  • have been prohibited from carrying on the activity or occupation in any state or territory.
  • already hold an ACT licence for the activity.
  • have an occupation that has been excluded from the scheme by the ACT Government. Check the excluded occupations list below.

Excluded occupations

The following occupations have been excluded from the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme. The ACT Government has determined a significant risk to consumers, the environment, animal welfare or public or worker safety.

View current exclusions on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Check your public protection requirements

Some occupations have public protection requirements. These are additional requirements that are designed to protect people who may be affected by your job, such as the public, clients, customers or others. They can include:

  • insurance
  • fidelity funds
  • trust accounts
  • minimum financial requirements.

You can check if your occupation has specific public protection requirements in the ACT on our automatic deemed registration requirements page.

Check your Working with Vulnerable People requirements

Some occupational licences require a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration be held in the ACT.

Notify for Automatic Mutual Recognition

Mutual recognition

If you’re not eligible under the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme you may be able to apply for mutual recognition.

Mutual recognition allows a person who holds a registration or licence in Australia or New Zealand to apply for another licence or registration that allows you to work elsewhere.

To apply for Mutual Recognition to work in the ACT you must apply for the equivalent ACT registration and pay a fee.

Find out more about Mutual recognition on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

Consumer complaints

Our usual process applies to making complaints about a worker or business operating under Automatic Mutual Recognition. We may contact other states and territories for more information.

To make a complaint use the Access Canberra complaints and feedback form or call 13 22 81.