If you have a construction licence in another state or territory, it might be recognised in the ACT. Agreements between states and territories allow certain licences and registrations to be recognised across jurisdictions, which can help fast track your application for an ACT licence.

You might be able to have your license recognised if you're a:

  • builder
  • building assessor
  • building surveyor
  • drainer
  • electrician
  • gasfitter
  • gas appliance worker
  • plumber
  • plumbing plan certifier, or
  • works assessor.

Conditions for recognition

To recognise your licence in the ACT, conditions or endorsements may be placed on it.

If you need to amend or update your licence, you need to complete an application as provided under apply for a licence.

Apply to have your licence recognised in the ACT

Before you start your application, make sure to understand the fees.

Complete and lodge an Application for equivalent occupation in the ACT under mutual recognition.

Automatic mutual recognition

The Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) Scheme started in Australia in July 2021.

If a worker has a license in one state or territory, AMR lets them work in another state or territory without paying extra fees or needing to get a new licence. This is known as Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR).

ADR applies to activities covered by existing mutual recognition arrangements under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992.

To be eligible for AMR, you must have a registration or licence in your home state or territory, where you live and work. The registration must cover the type of work you intend to do in another state or territory.

Some occupations have been exempted from the AMR scheme. A person wanting to undertake these activities must do so under the pre-existing mutual recognition arrangements.

AMR is not available for construction workers in the ACT. This includes:

  • builders
  • building assessors
  • building surveyors
  • drainers
  • electricians
  • gasfitters
  • gas appliance workers
  • plumbers
  • plumbing plan certifiers, and
  • works assessors.

This is because the ACT Government has a Significant Risk Exemption in place due to the Territory’s demerit point scheme. Under the AMR scheme, receiving a demerit point under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 is considered disciplinary action, which could lead to a licence being cancelled both in the ACT and in the person’s home state or territory. The exemption will expire on 1 July 2027 unless it is revoked earlier.

The government is exploring options to resolve these risks while the exemption is in place.

What this means for industry

There is no change to current arrangements and requirements for industry operating in the ACT. Existing recognition processes will continue.

If you're licensed to work in another state or territory, you can't access the AMR scheme to work in the ACT.

If you’re licensed in the ACT, and you want to work in another state or territory, you can access the AMR.

Read more information on the AMR scheme at:

Sharing information under the Mutual Recognition Act

The ACT government collects, uses and shares personal information to run the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth). They may also share information with other state and territory authorities to check for compliance and enforce the laws.

The Construction Occupations Registrar and Access Canberra regulate construction workers in the ACT.

In some instances, the ACT government may give de-identified information to other states or territories. They may do this for:

  • research
  • investigation and analysis
  • policy and program development
  • where it may inform public debate, or
  • where the research will benefit the ACT community.

Some government agencies will manage personal information under the CMTEDD Privacy Policy and Information Privacy Act 2014, including:

  • Licensing and regulatory authorities in Access Canberra
  • the Gambling and Racing Commission, and
  • the Architects Board.

Contact us

Construction and Work Place Licensing team

Phone: 02 6207 8096

Email: cwpl@act.gov.au