Registering with an Australian licence under TTMRA
Recognition of Australia's qualifications and experience. Find out how the electrician registration compares in Australia to New Zealand.
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition
If you have a current Australian licence, your application is processed in accordance with the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA). Check that your licence is recognised in New Zealand – the table below has Australian licences that we are aware of and their equivalent registration class in New Zealand.
Application process
Prepare supporting documents
Organise and scan the following documents. PDF and JPG formats supported:
- certified copy of the personal identity page of your passport
- certified copy of both sides of your current Australian licence(s)
Note – certification of your copied documents must be done by either a Justice of the Peace, a Public Notary, a solicitor or NZ court registrar. Please do not ask the NZ police to certify your copies. - complete the Statutory Declaration section 19 form and sign in front of the same JP that you have used to certify your copied licence and proof of ID.
- evidence of completion of an NZ Competence Programme*
- an ID photo online or attached one to your application
* Completing a NZ Competence Programme is easier if you have a Practitioner ID (this is our applicant file number). To get a Practitioner ID, you can register for an EW account here:
Request an Electrical Worker Account(external link)
1.3A TTMRA statutory declaration form for online applications [PDF, 226 KB]
Pay the application fee
Pay your registration application fee ($350 incl. GST for New Zealand and Australian trained applicants) and practising licence application fee.
Applications mailed to the Board’s postal address take longer to receive and process.
Electrical Registration Australian Applicants [PDF, 1.3 MB]
Alternatively applications and supporting documents can be mailed to:
Registrar
Electrical Workers Registration Board
PO Box 10156
Wellington 6143
New Zealand
Please do not courier applications as this may delay processing. Applications via email are not accepted.
If you require an invoice, this can be sent once processing of the fees is complete. Please state if you require an invoice and the email address for remitting as invoices are not sent automatically when applying by paper-based form.
What next?
If your application is complete (the form is correctly filled in, all required documents have been submitted and payment is accepted) the assessment process will begin. TTMRA applications may take up to 20 working days to complete.
When does my card arrive?
You will be advised by email on the completion of any application. If a card is being issued this will take up to 15 working days to arrive depending on your location. However if it has not arrived within 20 working days of your notification of completion then contact us.
NOTE
Only Australian licences are recognised, not Australian qualifications.
New Zealand equivalent licence class
We are aware of the following Australian licences and their equivalent registration class in New Zealand.
| Australian State | Licence name | New Zealand registration equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Unrestricted electrician licence | Electrician |
| Electrician restricted – electrotechnology systems | Electrical Service Technician | |
| New South Wales | Electrical Licence | Electrician |
| Air-conditioning and refrigeration licence | Electrical Installer or Electrical Service Technician | |
| Northern Territory | Electrical Mechanic | Electrician |
| Electrical Fitter | Electrical Installer or Electrical Service Technician | |
| Electrical Linesman | Line Mechanic – Distribution | |
| Electrical Cable Jointer | Cable Jointer | |
| Queensland | Electrical Mechanic | Electrician |
| Electrical Fitter | Electrical Installer or Electrical Service Technician | |
| South Australia – all Electrical Workers Registrations as defined by scope of work | Any electrical work | Electrician |
| Refrigeration and Air-conditioning | Electrical Service Technician | |
| Disconnection/reconnection | Electrical Service Technician | |
| Electrical Linework | Line Mechanic - Distribution or Transmission | |
| Electrical Rail Traction work | Line Mechanic - Traction | |
| Electrical Cable Jointing work | Cable Jointer | |
| Tasmania | Electrician | Electrician |
| REW Refrigeration and Air-conditioning | Electrical Service Technician | |
| Lineworker | Line Mechanic - Distribution or Transmission | |
| Cable Jointer | Cable Jointer | |
| Victoria | Electrician | Electrician |
| Restricted Electrical Worker | Electrical Service Technician | |
| Western Australia | Electrician | Electrician |
| Electrician endorsed Fitting work only | Electrical Installer | |
| Restricted Electrical Worker | Electrical Service Technician |
Licences not listed
If your licence is not on the approved list you may still be eligible for mutual recognition if the activities you are authorised to do under your Australian licence are substantially the same or equivalent as the registration you are applying for.
Limits of work has information about the types of work covered by the registrations we offer.