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Mutual recognition for builders

The Mutual Recognition Act 1992 permits people holding a registration, licence, permit or authorisation to carry out building work in another Australian state or territory or in New Zealand to apply for a registration to undertake that work in Victoria.

Similarly, if you are looking to work outside Victoria, you may apply for mutual recognition of your Victorian registration in other Australian states or territories, or in New Zealand.

You must have a current equivalent interstate or New Zealand registration, licence, permit or authorisation to apply for registration as a building practitioner in Victoria via the Mutual Recognition scheme.

Start your application

Save and complete the following form on your computer (do not handwrite; it will take longer to process). The application form includes a checklist on the front page to assist you with the process.

You must not make any written or oral statement to the VBA in relation to an application for registration (or for the renewal of registration) that you know, or should reasonably know, is false.

Submit your application

Sign and submit a hard copy of your completed Mutual Recognition Application Form, plus certified copies of your interstate or New Zealand registration, licence, permit or authorisation. Find out who can certify documents (PDF, 213.23 KB).

By mail:

Victorian Building Authority
GPO Box 536
Melbourne VIC 3001

In person:

Victorian Building Authority
Goods Shed North
733 Bourke Street
Docklands 3008

Fee Exemption

As a transitional measure, the VBA will exempt mutual recognition application fees where the person cannot participate in the AMR scheme due to the AMR exemption in place until 1 July 2023.  This is for interstate workers who intend to work in Victoria for up to 6 months.

This is a one-off fee exemption effective from 1 July 2022 and will not apply to subsequent fees associated with maintaining registration.

The fee exemption will be automatically applied to eligible mutual recognition applications.

Practitioners from the following jurisdictions are not eligible for mutual recognition fee exemption:

  • Queensland: as it is a state not participating in the AMR scheme
  • New Zealand: applicants from New Zealand apply under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 and are not eligible to participate in the automatic mutual recognition scheme (AMR)