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On 30 April 2009 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed an agreement for a national licencing system for economically important trades. This system will encourage workforce mobility by removing inconsistencies in regulation, allowing for the effective distribution of skills throughout the economy. Currently occupational trades are licenced to varying requirements in each state and territory.
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In its communiqué outlining the outcomes of its 3 July 2008 meeting, COAG summarised the need for a national licencing system for a range of economically important trades:
“COAG acknowledged that Australia’s overlapping and inconsistent regulations impede productivity growth. Without change Australia’s future living standards would be compromised, the competitiveness of the economy reduced and our ability to meet the challenges posed by an ageing population diminished.”
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The Productivity Commission has estimated that the economic benefits of a National Licencing system will be between $1.5 billion and 4.5 billion per year. This is clearly significant, as is the potential to mitigate the effects of local peaks in skills demand, whether caused by natural disaster or economic opportunity.
While no occupations central to the Gas Supply Industry have been identified for inclusion in the first round of licencing rationalisation due 1 July 2012, the sector remains hopeful it will soon benefit from this initiative. Encouraging workforce mobility will be integral to realising the burgeoning potential of the Gas Supply Industry, both in terms of domestic and international markets.
Date Modified: 22/09/2010
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