Surveyor from an Australian State or Territory or New Zealand – Reciprocity

A licensed/registered surveyor transferring from another state or territory or New Zealand can apply for registration as a licensed surveyor with a conditional practising certificate. To gain reciprocal registration in WA you will need to provide the following documentation to the Land Surveyors Licensing Board (LSLB):

a. Letter of Accreditation from your current Surveyors Board

b. Certified copy of your current registration

c. Certified copy of your academic qualifications

d. Certified copy of your driver’s licence or passport

e. Form3b – Application for Registration

f.  Form6 – Application for Practising Certificate

Please email the above documentation to the Board secretary at lslb@landgate.wa.gov.au. Once the documentation is received, the secretary will issue you with an invoice for a Registration fee and a Practising Certificate fee. Your application for registration will be tabled at the next Board meeting which usually occur on the third Thursday of every month (except January).

Surveyor from an Australian State or Territory – Automatic Mutual Recognition

The Australian Government’s Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme, under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992, is operational in Western Australia (WA) for licensed or registered land surveyors.

To be eligible for Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR) under AMR as a licensed surveyor in WA, your home state or territory must be participating in AMR and you must hold an unconditional registration or licence in your home state or territory.

ADR means you are taken to be registered to work as a licensed surveyor in WA. You will not be issued with a WA licence, and you do not have to pay any fees. You are not required to participate in professional development activities in WA and gain continuing professional development (CPD) points; compliance in the home state is the only requirement.

Queensland are not yet participating and AMR does not extend to New Zealand. The processes under the existing mutual recognition/reciprocity arrangements remain current for Queensland (until further notice) and New Zealand.

You are not eligible for AMR in WA if:

• your home state licence is disqualified or suspended
• you are subject to disciplinary, civil or criminal action or know you are under investigation
• you have conditions placed on your home state licence as a result of disciplinary or court action.

Your home state is defined by your primary place of residence or work. When intending to work in WA, you must provide evidence of your substantive registration and home state.

A licensed/registered surveyor from an Australian state or territory that is participating in the AMR scheme must notify the LSLB before they can undertake work as a licensed surveyor in WA.

A licensed/registered surveyor can provide this notification by completing the WA AMR Notification Form and providing this and the following documentation to the Board secretary at lslb@landgate.wa.gov.au:

a. Letter of Accreditation from your current Surveyors Board

b. Certified copy of your current registration

d. Certified copy of your driver’s licence or passport

Once the documentation is received, the secretary will verify the details with your home state or territory and confirm you are deemed registered by issuing you with an AMR Practising Certificate (PC).

You need a PC to practice as a licensed surveyor in WA and to access Landgate’s New Land Registry Plan application for lodging plans and field records.

You can then commence work under authorisation of your home state licence in WA, but subject to all local laws which apply. You must familiarise yourself with the applicable licensing legislation in WA and ensure compliance with the laws and cadastral survey practices in WA. Please refer to the AMR Factsheet

Non-compliance with WA laws may lead to investigation and disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will result in the cancellation of your ADR and may also affect your home state registration or licence and future access to AMR.

Renewing your Practising Certificate

To renew your Practising Certificate, you must make your application, record your CPD and make your payment through the Surveyors Portal. Fees are set out in Schedule 1 of the Licensed Surveyors (Licensing and Registration) Regulations 1990.

Click Here for the current Schedule of fees.

Continuous Professional Development

Section 11A of the Licensed Surveyors Act 1909 requires a licensed surveyor to undertake continuing education i.e. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in cadastral surveying in accordance with a determination of the Board. The Board sees CPD as playing a fundamental role in preserving the high quality of cadastral surveying in Western Australia.