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Risk of Injury

While you may think you can save money by doing your own electrical work, you should be aware of some of the risks to you & other people.

Personal safety aside, you may be breaking the law, any insurance policies you may have on the property may also be at risk.

In-short unlicenced and DIY electrical work is just not worth the risk.

Always Get A Licenced Electrician

Contact details for licenced electricians can be found in a simple search on Google.

When choosing a local electrician, always look for their electrical contractor licence number in any advertisement they produce & on their website, you need them confirm that they have a current licence before hiring them for any electrical work.

You can check the status of an electricians licence number through the licence search facilities on the website of Workplace Health and Safety Electrical Safety Office Workers’ Compensation Regulator  – www.worksafe.qld.gov.au, the direct link to the search is https://fswqap.worksafe.qld.gov.au/elis, you will need to agree to some terms & conditions before being directed to the Licencing Search Application.

Call them on 1300 362 320 if your electrician does not appear to be in their database.

What Is The Definition Of Electrical Work?

Under section 18 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act), electrical work includes “the manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing, or replacing of electrical equipment”.

This covers tasks such as:

  1. Installing a new power point.
  2. Replacing a light switch.
  3. Replacing a batten holder with a new light fitting.
  4. Repairing an appliance such as a heater.
  5. Altering the location of an existing power point.
  6. Replacing a light fitting with a ceiling fan.
  7. Creating an extension lead and replacing a plug on the end of a lead.

However, it is not illegal to buy electrical appliances or accessories that need to be hard wired; these items must be connected by a licenced electrician.

Other work such as: fitting (but not connecting) an electric wall oven in a kitchen cabinet; replacing a drive belt in a washing machine; or cutting openings for air-conditioning units are not regarded as electrical work under the legislation. However, you need to be aware of risks involved in this type of work such as it can damage wiring contained within wall cavities, you will need to take care when cutting holes or driving screws or nails into walls.

The Consequences Of Doing Your Own Electrical Work?

Apart from being illegal, unlicensed and DIY electrical work can be dangerous for the person who does the work as well as for or anyone else who subsequently comes into contact with the unsafe electrical equipment or installation.

In Queensland, Electrical Safety Inspectors investigate issues of unlicenced work.

People who perform any unlicenced and DIY electrical work risk coming in to contact with electricity, this can have fatal consequences. Additionally, the electrical installation or equipment affected may be left in an unsafe state. Due to the nature of some electrical faults, this danger may not be immediately apparent. The danger often only becomes evident in a fault situation, or may even develop over time.

Major property damage from an electrical fire is also a real risk which can impose considerable financial, emotional and social costs, especially if it was the result of illegal electrical work, which may lead to an insurer refusing a claim.

There Can Be Penalties?

Apart from injury or even death, taking on any electrical work yourself is regarded as unlicenced electrical work, which is illegal, and has penalties of up to $40,000 for individuals.

A breach that exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness attracts a maximum penalty of $600,000 for an individual ($3,000,000 for a corporation) or five years imprisonment.

A Little About Electrical Licencing

A person who performs any electrical work in Queensland must have an electrical work licence to authorise their work. Licenced electricians are required by law to ensure electrical work is performed in accordance with any legislative requirements and any applicable technical standards and codes of practice.

Queensland businesses which provide electrical work services for others must have an electrical contractor licence. Licenced electrical contractors need to meet some specific insurance requirements this included having a minimum of $5 million public liability insurance, with a $50,000 consumer protection component.

Any unlicenced and DIY electrical work does not provide this assurance or protection.


Voltora Industries can attend to every part of your electrical needs. We service all aspects of Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Electrical Installations & Repairs. From completely new installations to the addition or repairs of a single PowerPoint, we will make sure your experience with us is stress-free.

Our electricians are on standby, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 1300 799 430 or fill out the form here.

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