Queensland Electrical Licences Explained
In Queensland it is ILLEGAL to do any electrical work without a licence. Section 55 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (PDF, 825 KB) (ES Act) states that only very limited unlicensed tasks are allowed, such as:
- Authorised testing of electrical equipment
- Installing or repairing telecommunication cables
- electrical work while performing the profession of an electrical engineer
- learning electrical work as an apprentice or trainee.
Section 18 of the ES Act provides more examples that are not classified as electrical work.
Section 56 of the ES Act states that businesses
carrying out electrical work for others must have an electrical contractor licence.
For the public
Only an electrical contractor can do electrical work in your home. It is unlawful to do this work without a licence.
For safety reasons your electrician will need to turn power OFF. Working with a power supply still live is generally not allowed in Queensland.
The law says all homes built since 1992 must have safety switches installed on power circuits.
You can search the licence database to see
if your
Electrician is Licence
ELECTRICAL MECHANIC LICENCE
– all Electrician should have one.
Open electrical work licence.
An Electrical Mechanic can perform all electrical work such as:-
- install or change an overhead electrical line
- install electrical wiring
- repair any electrical equipment
Refer to Section 43 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (PDF, 846 KB) for more information on eligibility
requirements for an electrical mechanic licence.
ELECTRICAL FITTER LICENCE
– all Electrician should have one.
Allows you to perform electrical work, such as:-
- rewinding and repairing an electric motor
- building and assembling a switchboard
- maintain/repair electrical equipment.
Refer to Section 43 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 20133 (PDF, 846 KB)for eligibility requirements for an electrical fitter licence.
ELECTRICAL LINESPERSON LICENCE
.
Allows you to perform all electric line work, such as:
- electrical work involved in building or maintaining an
overhead electric line - electrical work in the building or maintenance of an
underground electric line - testing of overhead electric lines.
Refer to Section 43 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (PDF, 846 KB) for eligibility requirements for an electrical linesperson licence.
ELECTRICAL JOINTER LICENCE
Allows you to perform limited specialist installing, jointing and terminating electrical cables and work relating to electrical cables and equipment, such as:
- jointing and terminating a high voltage cable.
Refer to Section 43 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (PDF, 846 KB) for eligibility requirements for an electrical linesperson licence.
RESTRICTED ELECTRICAL WORK LICENCE
This licence limits you to specific electrical work associated with work from another trade.
Your need to perform electrical work must be legitimate, saving time or money are not good enough reasons.
Trades and callings that are recognised as having a legitimate need to sometimes perform electrical work are:
- Aircraft maintenance engineer
- Composite equipment service person
- Data communications technician
- Diesel fitter (in relation to electrical equipment
coupled to engines) - Earth moving equipment fitter
- Electric motor service person
- Electronic equipment service person
- Entertainment and servicing technician
- First class machinist
- Fitter and turner
- Gas fitter
- Injection moulding technician
- Instrumentation/process control technician
- Laboratory and scientific electrical equipment
technician - Marine mechanic
- Mechanical fitter
- Office equipment service person
- Photographic equipment service person
- Plumber and drainer
- Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment service
person - Sewing machine technician
- Systems and instrument technician
- Telecommunication technician
Refer to Section 43 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (PDF, 846 KB) for eligibility requirements for an electrical linesperson licence.
There are 6 units of competence
You will be assessed and licensed according to your competence regarding the incidental electrical work relevant to your trade or calling.
You will need to undergo training with a Registered Training Organisation to meet the electrical competencies required.
Read more on eligibility requirements for a restricted electrical licence in section 44 of the
Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (PDF, 846 KB) and the
Electrical Safety Office Licensing Eligibility Policy (PDF, 282.43 KB)
Refer to the Restricted
Electrical Licence System Information Guide for more details.
An electrical work training permit
This is a restricted permit which allows electrical work to be performed under specified conditions while you are being trained.
Electrical Contractor Licence Gold Card
A business with a gold electrical contractor licence is licensed to perform all types of electrical work for the public, for example:
- Installing a ceiling fan or power points
- Installing or altering a switchboard or safety switches
- Installing a split cycle air-conditioners
- Repairing a washing machine
- Maintaining a processing plant
- Installing or altering wiring or fixed appliances in a building.
Electrical Contractor Licence Silver Card
It is important for you to know that not all electrical contractors can perform all types of electrical work. The holder of a silver electrical contractor licence is restricted to the testing, maintenance and repair of the type and voltage of electrical equipment printed on the reverse of the licence. This licence does not allow the person to install electrical equipment.
Do not use the services of an electrical contractor to perform work which is not covered by their licence.
Electrical Contractor Licence Silver Card
In this next example, the electrical contractor can operate a business maintaining plug in electronic equipment to 250 volts, such
as repairing or testing computers or entertainment equipment.
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