Here’s the core issue: qualifications are national, but trade licences are often state-based. That mismatch creates delays, admin headaches, and (in the worst cases) compliance risks. Governments have tried to make occupational mobility easier through mutual recognition and automatic mutual recognition schemes but it’s still not “one rule fits all.”  

This guide is designed to answer the two questions tradies keep asking:

  • “Can I use my qualification interstate?”
  • “Do I need a new trade licence when I move?”

And it’ll give you quick pathways – the if you’re X → do Y kind.

What’s the difference between a qualification and a trade licence?

This distinction solves about 80% of the confusion.

Qualification = national proof of competency

A qualification (like a Cert III or Cert IV) is issued through an Australian RTO and sits under national training arrangements. In other words, it’s generally recognised across Australia.  

Trade licence = state/territory permission to perform regulated work

A trade licence (or registration) is permission from a state or territory regulator to carry out certain regulated work in that jurisdiction, sometimes with conditions about scope, supervision, and what you can legally “sign off.”  

Where RPL fits

If you’re missing the qualification piece (or it’s overseas, expired, incomplete, or informal), Recognition of Prior Learning can sometimes help you formalise your skills through an RTO assessment pathway. That’s the “national proof” part, not the licence itself.  

How trade licensing works across Australia (high level)

Every state and territory sets its own licensing rules and the conditions attached to licences. That’s why the regulator you deal with changes depending on where you’re working.  

To make movement easier, Australia has Mutual Recognition (MR) and Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR):

  • Mutual Recognition (MR) generally involves applying for an equivalent licence/registration in the new state (sometimes with fees and paperwork).  
  • Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) can allow eligible workers to operate in another state using their “home state” licence but it depends on the occupation, jurisdiction, and requirements like notifying the host state. 

Not all licences are covered, and conditions matter. Queensland, for example, notes that if your interstate licence has a condition or restriction, the equivalent Queensland licence may carry the same restriction and if there’s no equivalent licence, you might not be issued one.  

The interstate pathway (step-by-step)

Here’s a simple interstate scenario pathway you can follow before you relocate, take FIFO work, or sign a contract.

Step 1 – Free skills check: Confirm what you hold vs what you need

Before you chase paperwork, get clear on the basics:

  • What qualification(s) do you actually have?
  • What licence (if any) do you currently hold?
  • What work are you planning to do and does it require sign-off rights?

This is where Skills Certified can help you map your experience and documentation to the most likely pathway, without guessing.

Step 2 – Qualification check: Do you have the right Cert III/IV (or need RPL)?

Many licensing pathways have a “core requirement” that looks like:

Correct qualification (or equivalent) + experience + any regulator conditions

Mutual recognition and AMR may reduce duplication, but you’ll still need the right foundations.  

Step 3 – Document prep: evidence + ID + tickets + prior certs

The exact list varies, but most regulators will expect some mix of:

  • Proof of identity
  • Qualification documents (certificates/transcripts)
  • Evidence of experience
  • Tickets/cards relevant to the work scope
  • Any existing licence details from your home jurisdiction.  

Step 4 – Regulator application (or AMR notification)

Depending on the state and trade, you may:

  • Apply through mutual recognition processes, or
  • Be able to work under AMR (sometimes requiring notification/registration with the host jurisdiction).

Step 5 – Outcome: licence/registration granted or conditions applied

Possible outcomes include:

  • Granted equivalent licence/registration
  • Granted with conditions/restrictions
  • Request for more information
  • No equivalent licence available (meaning a different pathway may be required).  

What usually transfers (and what might not)

What usually transfers well

Qualifications tend to travel better because they’re national training outcomes.  

What often changes

Licensing conditions can change when you cross borders:

  • Your category/scope might not match perfectly
  • Supervision rules can differ
  • What you can legally certify/sign off may be narrower (or require extra steps).  

The hidden tripwire: “equivalent work”

Mutual recognition generally hinges on the idea that you’re authorised to do substantially the same activities in the new state. NSW describes this clearly in its guidance on working interstate and mutual recognition.  

So the question to ask isn’t “Do I have a licence?”

It’s: “Does my licence authorise the same work here?”

Quick guidance for common interstate scenarios

These are the “tell me what to do, quickly” pathways.

If you’re moving permanently → apply early and check categories

Do this:

  • Identify the regulator in the new state and check the equivalent category/class.
  • Allow time for admin delays (because they happen).
  • Keep digital copies of your docs ready to go.  

If you’re doing FIFO/contract work → confirm what you can legally sign off

Do this:

  • Ask the employer/site manager what licensing structure applies on-site.
  • Confirm whether you’ll be supervising, performing, or certifying work.
  • If AMR applies, check whether you need to notify the host state.  

If you’re subcontracting → don’t assume the head contractor covers you

Do this:

  • Confirm whether you need your own licence/registration, or whether you operate under another licence structure.
  • Clarify scope: what’s your responsibility vs theirs?

Regulators care about who is responsible for regulated work, not just who “did the labour.”

If you’re “time-served” but don’t have paperwork → RPL may fill the qualification gap

Do this:

  • Use an RPL Australia pathway to formalise the qualification side if it’s missing.
  • Then check licensing requirements in your target state.

This approach is especially common for experienced workers who learned on the tools, moved from overseas, or never completed the formal certificate pathway.  

A practical state-by-state starting point (who you’ll likely deal with)

You don’t need a full legal deep dive but you do need to know where to check first.

Here are examples of regulator guidance pages for interstate work and recognition:

How Skills Certified helps 

Interstate moves are stressful enough without licensing uncertainty hovering in the background like a storm cloud. Skills Certified helps by:

  • Mapping your experience to the qualification most likely to support licensing pathways
  • Helping you prepare evidence so you don’t get knocked back for admin gaps
  • Giving you clarity before you relocate or accept a job, which is when it actually matters.

In other words: fewer surprises. More clean decisions.

Before you move states or sign an interstate contract, get clarity.

Book a free skills check and know exactly what you need before you relocate or take the job. It’s the quickest way to avoid admin delays, licensing surprises, and awkward “hang on… can you actually do that here?” conversations.