Interstate tradies get green light to help in flood clean-up after red tape cut

This will include licensed interstate workers including plumbers, gasfitters, architects, surveyors, driving instructors, and bus drivers. Licences and registrations will be recognised if workers notify NSW regulators before starting work.

Treasurer, Matt Kean, said the changes will ensure qualified and registered tradies from participating states can work in NSW sooner, supporting a more timely response to future natural disasters and addressing critical labour shortages.

“We’re making it easier and cheaper for interstate chippies, plumbers, and brickies to come to NSW and help with the flood recovery effort,” Mr Kean said.

“The NSW and Commonwealth Governments committed more than $3.5 billion to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure in flood-affected regions. And we’re also making it cheaper for local tradies wanting to work in these communities.”

The exemption from having to apply for a NSW licence or pay additional registration or renewal fees is part of a national move to boost the mobility of skilled workers across borders under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme.

Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading, Victor Dominello, said the NSW government had worked closely with industry to ensure proper protections for tradies and their customers.

“Recognising interstate registrations will boost skills and provide greater competition, which can deliver more choice, lower prices and improved service quality for consumers,” Mr Dominello said.

“For tradies — many of whom are small business owners — it will reduce the administration costs of running and growing their businesses and will allow them to move to where the work is.”

All states and territories except Queensland are participating in the AMR scheme.