Professionals who work in both Australia and New Zealand may no longer need duplicate insurance policies under proposals to remove trade and employment barriers.

Australia’s Productivity Commission has launched an inquiry into mutual recognition schemes that could affect whether qualifications and insurance from one jurisdiction are recognised by the other.

It will recommend ways to improve inter-jurisdictional movement of goods and skilled workers, with both national governments to consider its findings later this year.

The commission’s issues paper says that under mutual recognition, a New Zealand architect working for a client in Australia might not need to register here or comply with local regulations for architects, such as for insurance and continuing professional development.

The commission is seeking submissions by February 27. It will release a draft report in May and a final report in September.