Operating across state borders in Australia is a challenge, our country is a collection of states, not one country, when it comes to legislation and the greed of state governments that want to collect their tithe off everyone!
Australia is not so much a country as a series of states, each jealously protecting their 'power' and income. They pay scant lip service to the Australian Constitution, specifically S.92 about free trade between states. They build walls around their state, and refuse to accept a license, issued under the same conditions in another state, nor even a criminal history clearance issued in another state. Especially not when they earn fees from overcharging for such things. They insist on protectionist policies which restrict operation across state borders. Governments insist on their pound of flesh, their 'tax' for a licence to be issued to someone to try and earn money in 'their' state. The fact that you may have one 'job' a month or less in 'their' jurisdiction is of no consequence. The fact that it may cost you more to jump through the hoops than you earn is of no consequence. Taxing (sorry, fees, charges DEFINITELY denied they're taxes) business is the ONLY consequence they are concerned with. This has led to a current requirement to form agreements with holders of master licenses (such as a CAPI) in each state who then charge their 'cut' before the work may be passed on to an operative. This gives 'local' operators the advantage of lower costs, again breaching the constitution. Some states hand enforcement to the state police who are more concerned about state law than the constitution. Others use 'Fair Trading'; it has become obvious that operators in all states now suffer as a result of matters heard in tribunals, not courts, where your psychotic clients get a win, because they fight the truth with untested lies.
We currently have the unfair situation where a business that operates in the middle of a state can cross a street, during an enquiry, and commit no offence. If the same individual, doing the same task, on the border, crosses the street they commit an offence. This means that a business in a border area has twice the expense, and loses twice the time, paying for the same licenses and authorities to two state governments, an unfair penalty. Each state has continued to increase their charges for licences, ignoring that they are paid money from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for provision of services. The 'user pays' system has become another double dipping cash cow for government who charge GST on the service provided, tax on the business then an 'extra' tax for the licence to earn the taxable income.
It is worth noting that none of the Australian states have pursued the overseas companies that offer services, via the internet, for which Australian individuals and business must possess a licence.
