Applying for 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

• Commonwealth and Canberra
• Northern Territory
• New Zealand
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

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

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

Applicable legislation