Applying for mutual recognition

What is mutual recognition?

Mutual recognition provides the means to promote freedom of movement of persons in registered occupations between Australian States or Territories and/or New Zealand.

Who can apply?

Holders of the following occupational licences or registrations issued in other Australian States or Territories (Interstate) and/or New Zealand, can apply to have their licences or registrations mutually recognised in Western Australia.

  • Mining certificates of competency
  • Dangerous goods and explosives occupational licences.

For mining certificates of competency

Holders of a mining certificate of competency in the following areas may be eligible to apply:

  • Certificate of competency to manage a quarry (coal and non-coal operations)
  • Certificate of competency to manage an underground mine (non-coal operations)
  • Certificate of competency to be appointed a mine surveyor (surface and/or underground mine)

For dangerous goods and explosives licences

Holders of dangerous goods and explosives licences issued in other States and Territories of Australia are deemed to be so licensed in Western Australia (WA). There is no requirement to apply for mutual recognition of your interstate licence even if you become a WA resident.

However, you are not prevented from applying for mutual recognition if you wish to obtain a WA licence.

This does not apply for holders of New Zealand dangerous goods and explosives licences who must apply for mutual recognition of their licences.

Suitability of applicant

To be eligible to have your licence or registration mutually recognised, you must:

  • not be the subject of disciplinary action, or any investigation that might lead to disciplinary action in New Zealand, or a State, or Territory of Australia
  • not have held a cancelled or suspended licence as a result of disciplinary action in New Zealand, or a State, or Territory of Australia
  • not be the subject to any special conditions in carrying on that occupation, as a result of criminal, civil or disciplinary action in New Zealand, or a State, or Territory of Australia
  • not be prohibited from carrying on any such licenced activity in New Zealand, or a State, or Territory of Australia.

Applicants are eligible to perform the duties of the occupation on lodgement of the application and do not need to wait for a licence or registration to be issued.  Deficient or non-compliant applications will be returned, and eligibility to perform the duties of the occupation will no longer apply.

Mutual recognition applications must be witnessed by a person authorised to witness under different laws in each State and Territory of Australia and/or New Zealand.

If you hold a Western Australian dangerous goods driver licence but no longer reside in the State, you may continue using the licence. However, you will not receive a renewal notice.

For dangerous goods and explosives licences, the licence is granted for the balance of the term of the recognised licence, up to a maximum of five years.

Required supporting information

Applications for mutual recognition must be accompanied by specific information.  Before completing your application ensure you have high quality colour images of the following documents.

Applications for mining certificates of competency

Item Details Date before lodgement date

Motor driver licence (MDL)

Colour image of your MDL
Certificate of competency Certified copy, showing certificate name, certificate number and issue date

 

Applications for dangerous goods and explosives licences

Item Details Date before lodgement date
New Zealand applicants    
Motor driver licence (MDL) Colour image of both sides of the MDL showing the D Endorsement  
Controlled Substance Licence Colour image of both sides of the Controlled Substance Licence  
Approved Handlers Test Certificate Colour image of the certificate  
Photograph Passport quality photo Not more than 6 months
Interstate applicants    
Interstate licence Colour image of both sides of the licence to be recognised  
Photograph Passport quality photo Not more than 6 months

 

 

Failure to provide the required documentation will delay processing of applications.

Witnessing statutory declarations

Mutual recognition applications must be witnessed by witnesses authorised under different laws in each state and territory of Australia and/or New Zealand to witness statutory declarations. Follow the links below for information on authorised witnesses in the various jurisdictions.

Lodging the application

For mining certificates of competency

Applications can be lodged by email or post.

Email:  boe@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Post to:

Board of Examiners
Resources Safety
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
100 Plain St
East Perth WA 6004

For dangerous goods and explosives drivers and shotfirer applications must be made online through the Safety Regulation System

If you have an existing SRS Ex account, Log on to SRS 
Enter your Ex-Account number and password and follow online instructions to complete your application

If you are a new user go to SRS new user
Register for an ex-Account number.

For fireworks operators and pyrotechnics applications

Print the application form, complete and:

Mail to:

Dangerous Goods Licensing
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Locked Bag 100
East Perth WA 6892

In person:

303 Sevenoaks Street (entrance via Grose Avenue)
Cannington WA 6107

 

Mutual recognition of Australian occupations - application form - 360 Kb

Applying for mutual recognition of Australian occupations

Trans-Tasman mutual recognition in Western Australia - application form - 366 Kb

Applying for Trans-Tasman mutual recognition

Related information

Applicable legislation