To work in Victoria under automatic mutual recognition (AMR), you must:
- hold a current pest control licence in your home state or territory
- live in an eligible participating jurisdiction
- notify the Victorian Department of Health before starting work
- comply with Victorian pest control laws and licence conditions.
What is automatic mutual recognition?
Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) allows a person who is licensed or registered for an occupation in one jurisdiction to be considered licensed or registered to perform the same activities in another jurisdiction, without the need to go through further application processes or pay additional fees.
AMR aims to make it easier for workers who need to be licensed or registered for their job to work in another state and territory.
Working under AMR
AMR allows licensed pest control technicians to work in participating states and territories without applying for a separate licence or paying additional licensing fees. AMR includes safeguards to maintain standards and protect consumers, workers and the community.
Who is eligible for AMR?
Victorian pest control technicians are generally eligible, but you will need to check that the other jurisdiction has fully entered the AMR scheme before you start work in the second jurisdiction.
If Victoria is your home state
If Victoria is your home state, and you hold a current Victorian pest control technician licence and you wish to work interstate under AMR.
AMR is currently available in the following states
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Tasmania
- South Australia
- Western Australia
Queensland have not yet entered the scheme.
If another state or territory is your home state
If your home is outside Victoria, you hold a current licence to undertake pest control activities in that state or territory and you wish to work in Victoria then working via AMR is currently available only to residents of:
- Northern Territory
- New South Wales
- Australian Capital Territory
- Tasmania
- South Australia
- Western Australia
Queensland have not yet entered the scheme.
Mandatory notification of intention to work in Victoria
We strongly encourage you to contact the Pesticide Safety Team to confirm your eligibility.
Any worker eligible to work in Victoria under the new AMR arrangements must then notify the Pesticide Safety Team by completing the online form prior to working in Victoria.
In January 2022 the Victorian Acting Minister for Health extended the mandatory notification requirement of intention to work in Victoria until at least 2032.
AMR Public Register
Search the AMR Public Register to check whether you or someone else holds a current AMR Notification.
You do not need to wait for your details to commence using pesticides within Victoria.
Please note, the public register is updated monthly.
Conditions working in Victoria using AMR
- You must hold a licence or registration in their home state.
- You must notify the Victorian Department of Health Pesticide Safety Team prior to commencing work in Victoria.
- Your scope of work in Victoria is generally limited to the scope of work in your home jurisdiction.
- You must also comply with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and associated Regulations.
When AMR may no longer apply
- Your home jurisdiction licence expires, then AMR no longer applies in any other jurisdiction.
- Disciplinary, civil, or criminal actions in relation to the activity authorised by your licence can lead to suspension or cancellation of the person’s right to work in the second state or territory.
- Your licence is suspended or cancelled
More information
Licensed workers and businesses can learn more about automatic mutual recognition by visiting the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Mutual recognition page or call the Pesticide Safety Team to discuss.
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