CHANGES TO QUEENSLAND’S OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING SYSTEM
Published Friday, 28 September, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Changes to occupational licensing are bringing in better and more consistent training, better workplace health and safety, and more security for anyone operating or using plant and equipment.
The new system requires anyone applying for a new licence to undergo more structured training, and relies on the vocational education and training sector for the management of licensing related training products and service delivery.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that the new occupational licensing system has considerable benefits for workers and employers, in terms of both safety and security.
“The new system will improve workplace health and safety for everyone by introducing requirements for structured and consistent training before a person can obtain a licence,” Minister Mickel said.
“The training will be carried out by the vocational education and training sector, who will also manage licensing related training products and service delivery.
While the new system is in place now, holders of old-style paper licences, issued between 1950 and March 1992, have until July 2008 to contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with their details so they can be issued with a new licence. If they do not do this their old licence will no longer be valid, meaning that they won’t be able to work.
“The new licensing system helps everyone involved in the industry – it shows the amount of training that the holder has received. It also makes working interstate a lot easier – most of the licensing categories are recognised in all states and territories,” Minister Mickel said.
“The new licenses can also help reduce identity fraud because they’re renewed every five years, just like driving licences.”
Licence holders who only hold a plastic licence for National Classes issued after March 1992 will be contacted by mail when their conversion is required.
For further information on licensing changes please visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 655 986
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
September 28, 2007
The new system requires anyone applying for a new licence to undergo more structured training, and relies on the vocational education and training sector for the management of licensing related training products and service delivery.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said that the new occupational licensing system has considerable benefits for workers and employers, in terms of both safety and security.
“The new system will improve workplace health and safety for everyone by introducing requirements for structured and consistent training before a person can obtain a licence,” Minister Mickel said.
“The training will be carried out by the vocational education and training sector, who will also manage licensing related training products and service delivery.
While the new system is in place now, holders of old-style paper licences, issued between 1950 and March 1992, have until July 2008 to contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with their details so they can be issued with a new licence. If they do not do this their old licence will no longer be valid, meaning that they won’t be able to work.
“The new licensing system helps everyone involved in the industry – it shows the amount of training that the holder has received. It also makes working interstate a lot easier – most of the licensing categories are recognised in all states and territories,” Minister Mickel said.
“The new licenses can also help reduce identity fraud because they’re renewed every five years, just like driving licences.”
Licence holders who only hold a plastic licence for National Classes issued after March 1992 will be contacted by mail when their conversion is required.
For further information on licensing changes please visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 655 986
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
September 28, 2007