Treasurer Jim Chalmers said ahead of Tuesday’s budget that the government would work with unions, business, states and territories to design a high-quality national electrical licence.
A high-quality national licence will allow greater movement between states for electrical workers eager to follow the work in high-demand sectors like construction and energy and provide greater community understanding nationally of the quality and importance of work performed by licensed electricians.
Electrical Trades Union National Secretary Michael Wright said he looked forward to working with government and industry to deliver a quality national licence.
“Australia has some of the best electrical workers and highest electrical standards in the world,” Wright said. “A national licence must reflect that. We will work with government and industry on a licensing scheme that sets the global standard in this high-risk, fast-moving trade.”
“The Australian national electrical licence must be a mark of quality and safety that workers, industry, consumers and employers feel proud of and have confidence in.”
“All Australians have the right to know that work performed by licensed Australian electricians has been performed safely and skillfully by a professional whose capability has been certified to the highest level.”
“The national regime must put safety and quality at the centre of its design, reflecting best practice from across the country – not composed of existing lowest common denominators in sub-national jurisdictions.”
“Electricians are ready for a national licence that they can stand behind and say, ‘Australia’s electrical work is the best in the world’.”
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