Mutual Recognition
Mutual recognition is the principle that a person who is licensed in one state or territory is entitled to have their interstate licence recognised by Western Australian licensing authorities. Automatic Mutual Recognition may apply if you are entering Western Australia from a participating jurisdiction to undertake temporary work; if you are moving to Western Australia, you may be able to apply for a Western Australian licence under Mutual Recognition.
The following information applies to radiation authorisations only. For information on other types of licences, please refer to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Automatic Mutual Recognition
From 1 July 2022, automatic mutual recognition applies to persons who hold a radiation licence (use authorisation) in their participating Australian home state/territory and who wish to temporarily perform the same work in Western Australia. A Western Australian radiation licence is only required to be obtained if the person’s home state or territory becomes Western Australia. All jurisdictions except Queensland are currently participating in the automatic mutual recognition scheme.
Those eligible for automatic mutual recognition will not be required to apply and pay for a second licence in Western Australia, but must notify the Radiological Council of their intent to work in Western Australia, using the following form –
Persons intending to work under their interstate licence need to familiarise themselves and work in accordance with the facilities requirements.
If you hold a licence in Western Australia and wish to work in another participating jurisdiction, you will need to contact the regulatory authority in that jurisdiction for their advice on eligibility and notification requirements.
Mutual Recognition
The Mutual Recognition Act (MRA) was established to provide for the recognition within each Australian State and Territory, of regulatory standards adopted elsewhere in Australia regarding goods and occupations. The mutual recognition principle defined in the MRA is only applicable to licence purposes in Western Australia under the Radiation Safety Act where an authorisation issued in another Australian jurisdiction is considered to be an equivalent occupation in Western Australia.
The following occupations are considered to be equivalent occupations for which the MRA can be applied in Western Australia. Applicants for these licences should ensure they are aware of the Western Australian legislation for the device they will be using, summaries for which can be downloaded in PDF format –
- Industrial radiography [⭳ PDF]
- Service of devices containing radioactive substances [⭳ PDF]
- Service of lasers [⭳ PDF]
- Service of x-ray equipment [⭳ PDF]
How to Apply
To apply for a licence in Western Australia issued through mutual recognition, the following documentation must be provided to the Radiological Council for assessment –
- A licence application form for irradiating apparatus and/or electronic products [⭳ PDF] and/or a licence application form for radioactive substances [⭳ PDF]
- Statutory declaration form [⭳ PDF]
- Original certified copy(s) of relevant authorisation(s) currently held in another Australian jurisdiction, including any conditions that have been imposed on the authorisation(s).
Recognition of an Australian Authorisation where Mutual Recognition Does not Apply
Although mutual recognition does not apply to the following licence purposes, the Radiological Council recognises the authorisations from Australian jurisdictions without requiring further prerequisites.
Applicants wishing to apply for these licence purposes will need to submit a licence application form and a copy of their relevant authorisation for assessment. The applicant must also ensure they are aware of the Western Australian legislation for the device they will be using, summaries for which can be downloaded in PDF format –