How to become an electrician in Australia depends on the state you plan to work in. There are six states in Australia, each of which issues unique electrical laws and licensing procedures: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Choose your state below and read more about how you can become an electrician in Australia today.
General Requirements for Electricians
While it varies by state, most entities in Australia require electricians to complete an approved apprenticeship or training program. This is usually completed after at least ninth or tenth grade.
Then, the apprentice will apply for their electrical license or equivalent through their state government, meeting all requirements listed on the official government site.
Electricians in New South Wales
New South Wales requires an electrical license for any wiring work, regardless of the cost or whether it’s residential or commercial. It offers electrical contractor licenses, qualified supervisor certificates, and endorsed contractor licenses.
- Electrical contractors can advertise and contract work. These can be individuals or companies.
- Qualified supervisors are only issued to individuals and do not allow you to contract out work.
- Endorsed contractors are a joint-venture consisting of a contractor who also has the skills to be a qualified supervisor.
There are multiple pathways to licensure that you can choose from on the official site.
Electricians in Queensland
It is illegal to complete any electrical work in Queensland unless you’re licensed. The only exceptions are testing electrical equipment, installing/fixing telecommunication cables, electrical work done by electrical engineers, or work done during training/an apprenticeship.
- Electrical contractor licenses
- Electrical mechanic licenses for all electrical work.
- Electrical linesperson licenses for electric line work.
- Electrical fitter licenses for electrical equipment work (electric motors, switchboards, etc.)
- Electrical jointer licenses for limited specialist work with cables and equipment.
- Restricted electrical work licenses for electrical work associated with another trade.
- Electrical work training permits for trainees.
Electricians in South Australia
South Australia requires electrical contractors to be licensed. If you’re an electrician working under a contractor, you will need to register with the state.
Registered electricians will need to have completed their apprenticeship with a Certificate III or have a Certificate III in a licensed trade issued before December of 2015.
Electricians in Tasmania
Tasmania offers electrical licenses to practitioners – AKA electricians. Anyone completing electrical work will need a license.
They also offer electrical contractor, restricted, and provisional licenses.
Electricians in Victoria
Victoria’s Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) department is responsible for licensing or registering all electricians and tradespersons in the sector. Licensing and/or registration are required. All licensing and registration are done online.
Victoria offers:
- Electrician’s license
- Electrical contractor registration
- Restricted electrical worker’s license
- Supervised worker’s license
- Electrical inspector license
- Electrician (supervised) worker license
- Occupier’s license
Electricians in Western Australia
Electrical work in Western Australia is restricted to licensed workers. This state offers:
- Electrical contractor’s licenses
- Electrician’s training licenses for apprentices.
- Electrician’s licenses for general electricians.
- Restricted electrical licenses for electrical work required by another trade.
- In-house electrical installing work licenses when doing work for yourself or your immediate family.
