Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

I present the government's response to the report of the Select Committee on Red Tape on the effect of red tape on occupational licensing. I seek leave to incorporate the document in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON RED TAPE REPORT:

EFFECT OF RED TAPE ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

Interim report

November 2018

The Australian Government notes the recommendations made in the interim report of the Select Committee on Red Tape in respect of occupational licensing.

In the submission provided to the Committee, the Department of Education and Training outlined the use of mutual recognition in Australia. Mutual recognition is a method through which the regulatory burden from occupational licensing can be reduced for individuals who are moving and operating between states in a licensed occupation.

While the Australian Government administers the legislation for mutual recognition (the Mutual Recognition Act 1992), its actual use and application sits with the states and territories. State and territory governments have responsibility for and administer their own occupational registrations.

The recommendations made by the Select Committee will need to be considered and responded to by the state and territory governments with the inclusion of the Council for the Australian Federation as appropriate. As a result, the Australian Government has no comment on the recommendations that have been made.

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends the Council for the Australian Federation, in close consultation with relevant stakeholders, renew its efforts toward occupational licensing reform, with a starting presumption against licensing.

The Australian Government notes that it has no role in the Council for the Australian Federation and that occupational licensing is a matter for state and territory governments.

Recommendation 2

Subject to its retention, the committee recommends that occupational licensing be based on specific, measurable outcomes and the identification of best practice models for occupations throughout Australia.

The Australian Government notes that occupational licensing is a matter for state and territory governments.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends the expansion of automatic mutual recognition based on the objective of increasing labour force mobility.

The Australian Government notes that occupational licensing is a matter for state and territory governments.

Recommendation 4

The committee recommends the Council for the Australian Federation commission a study into the health and safety benefits of occupational licensing, to strengthen efforts toward reform.

The Australian Government notes that it has no role in the Council for the Australian Federation.