Australia’s scheme for automatic mutual recognition (AMR) is set to broaden significantly commencing July 1, bringing a raft of new occupations into scope and reducing long-standing regulatory hurdles for workers crossing state lines.
The reforms mark a meaningful shift in the country’s approach to workforce mobility, particularly in high-demand sectors like real estate, construction, and automotive trades.
Under the AMR scheme, which was first launched in 2021, licence holders in one participating state or territory can operate in another without needing to apply for a second licence. The idea is simple but far-reaching: to remove duplication, reduce costs, and give businesses quicker access to talent, particularly in areas struggling with chronic skills shortages.
NSW opens the gates to real estate and automotive trades
In New South Wales, the Minns government has pushed through legislation to extend AMR coverage to conveyancers, real estate agents, and automotive professionals. These workers will soon be able to practise in NSW, provided they are licensed elsewhere and notify the state’s regulator.
The move is part of a broader push by NSW to cut red tape while maintaining safeguards. Interstate practitioners will still be subject to the same enforcement rules and consumer protection standards as those originally licensed in NSW. That includes mandatory contributions to compensation funds, ensuring consumer access to redress in the event of misconduct or error.
Victoria brings construction trades into the fold
Victoria is following suit with an equally significant expansion. From the same date, licensed plumbers and all classes of building surveyors – both previously excluded – will be eligible to work in the state under AMR.
Practitioners will need only to complete an online notification, removing what has been a burdensome barrier for many sole traders and small firms operating across borders.
The timing is not incidental. With major infrastructure projects underway and a persistent shortage of tradespeople, the Victorian government sees the changes as a way to smooth labour supply without compromising standards.
National scheme, local variations
Though the AMR scheme is national in ambition, its implementation remains uneven.
Some high-risk or complex occupations are still exempt in certain jurisdictions. For instance, Victoria’s decision to include plumbers and surveyors in 2025 reverses an earlier exclusion. In the ACT and Tasmania, several occupations remain off-limits, at least for now. Each state continues to review its list of covered roles, and full alignment is some way off.
This patchwork approach reflects an underlying tension: how to balance the economic benefits of mobility with the need to uphold safety, competence, and public trust. Regulators must also navigate the logistical challenge of sharing data and enforcing standards across jurisdictions.
A work in progress with national implications
Despite the complexity, momentum is clearly building. Industry groups have largely welcomed the expansions, seeing them as a step towards a more modern and flexible regulatory system.
For businesses, the benefit is clear: faster hiring, lower administrative costs, and greater access to talent. For workers, it means fewer bureaucratic hoops to jump through – especially for those who live near borders or work in itinerant trades.
Still, the success of the scheme will hinge on the quality of its execution.
Governments face a delicate balancing act: enabling mobility while ensuring that public protections don’t slip through the cracks.
What happens next will matter, not only for the thousands of workers directly affected but for the broader effort to modernise Australia’s regulatory infrastructure in line with the needs of a dynamic, mobile workforce.
