Information Publication Scheme
Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) establishes an Information Publication Scheme (IPS) applicable to agencies including the National Competition Council (Council). The IPS requires the Council to publish certain information by 1 May 2011, including a plan of how the Council will contribute to the IPS, information about the Council's structure and operations and information about previous applications for access to information under the FOI Act.
The information the Council is publishing in accord with the IPS is available through this page. The Council will continue to identify and publish information on its website. Published information will be listed on this page.
If you require access to a Council document that does not appear on this website, or if you require a document in an accessible format, please contact the FOI officer at the addresses provided below.
Agency Plan
The Council's Information Publication Scheme Agency Plan, April 2011 (PDF, 371KB)
Chief Executive Instructions (contact FOI officer for access, charges may apply - refer to the Freedom of Information page)
Freedom of Information
Routinely requested information
The Council does not receive routine requests for information. Any information to which the Council provides access under the FOI Act after 1 May 2011 will be described in a disclosure log.
Disclosure log
Any information to which the Council provides access under the FOI Act after 1 May 2011 will be described in the disclosure log below. (The Council received two FOI Act requests in 2006 related to the Council's (former) role under the National Competition Policy, which concluded in 2005-06).
Disclosure log (DOC, 26KB)
Contact us
Email: nccfoi@ncc.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 099 470
Mail: FOI Officer
National Competition Council
GPO Box 250
Melbourne
Victoria 3001
Latest updates
The National Competition Council has delivered its final report to support the review of Australia’s mutual recognition schemes for workers.
The Council was asked to consider how the schemes affect productivity, workforce flexibility and consumer choice, and identify practical pathways to remove unnecessary licensing barriers.
Overall, the Council found mutual recognition schemes are providing benefits to workers and businesses, but their effectiveness has been hindered by incomplete participation, limited information sharing between regulators, and a lack of broader regulatory alignment across jurisdictions.
The Council also found that, while careful assessment of costs is required, national licensing can deliver large benefits for labour mobility in some occupations by solving many of the practical implementation challenges of mutual recognition.
National licensing is not the most appropriate solution for every occupation. The strongest case exists where:
• the occupation has a large workforce or is economically significant
• workers commonly move for work or work across borders remotely
• the occupation involves significant risks that would benefit from nationally consistent standards
• the occupation is underpinned by nationally consistent training and/or internationally recognised standards
• tripartite support for a national scheme exists.
Engineering is an example of such an occupation. Electricians are another example we observed very strong support for national licensing from both employer groups and unions in the Electrical sector.
In many occupations, a staged approach may be preferable. This could begin with improvements to the mutual recognition schemes, including greater regulatory harmonisation, before progressing towards national licensing.
The Council identified practical opportunities to strengthen the schemes, including by improving regulatory consistency, creating new infrastructure to enable better data collection and information sharing, and strengthening governance and oversight to support coordination and ensure reforms are enduring.
The Council thanks all those who contributed to the Review through roundtable discussions, bilateral meetings and written submissions.
The Review is intended to inform future policy development to reduce unnecessary occupational licensing barriers and support a more seamless national labour market.
The Workplan sets out a forward-looking agenda to advance competition reform which seeks to spark national collaboration, deliver practical outcomes and unlock new opportunities for a more dynamic Australian economy.
The Albanese Government has appointed Mr Marcus Bezzi as part time President and Ms Catherine Dermody, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson and Ms Sally McMahon as part time Councillors of the National Competition Council from 18 February 2026. Bringing exceptional expertise across competition, law, economics and regulation, these appointments strengthen the NCC’s leadership in driving Australia’s competition reform agenda and reflect the Government’s continued commitment to appointing outstanding women to key roles.
