In announcing the discontinuation of National Occupational Licensing Scheme (NOLS) in December 2013, the Government also announced that the states and territories would continue to work towards a system of improved labour mobility under the guidance of the Council of Australian Federation (CAF).

In December 2013, the Federal Government announced that the National Occupational Licensing System (NOLS) which was being developed under the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) would discontinue.

Occupations in the Plumbing and Gasfitting, Refrigerated Air-conditioning and Electrical industries were among the first occupations scheduled to transfer from state licensing to the national scheme under NOLS. The National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) which had been established to oversee national licensing scheme is now being abolished.

In announcing the discontinuation of NOLS, the Government also announced that the states and territories would continue to work towards a system of improved labour mobility under the guidance of the Council of Australian Federation (CAF).

The plumbing and gasfitting and the electrical occupations are the first two occupations to be considered under CAF. The approach in each occupational group may vary.

Relevant regulators in each state and territory are currently working together to identify options which will provide greater mobility for individuals in these occupations moving from state to state but which will not impose significant cost or other burdens on industry.

It seems likely that the outcome will be a form of mutual recognition between consenting states and territories. If so, the approach would build on the mutual recognition that has been applied by the Victorian Building Authority for some years.