The role of the qualified technical person (QTP)

Every electrical contractor licence must have an eligible and valid Qualified Technical Person (QTP)

The QTP must be:

a fit and proper person
competent to perform the role of QTP for a Queensland electrical contractor licence
licensed to perform electrical work within the scope of the work being contracted for
competent in that type of work, even if a licence is not required for the type of work being undertaken (e.g. testing and tagging electrical equipment).
New applications including change of company structure or legal entity for an unrestricted electrical contractor licence, must have completed the suite of competency required for eligibility..

The QTP must be either an employee of the electrical contractor, member of the partnership, or an executive officer of the corporation.

Regular checks are conducted by the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) to identify individuals nominated as a QTP on more than one electrical contracting licence. Where that is the case, the electrical contractor will be asked how they are ensuring that the QTP is able to perform and supervise their work properly.

An electrical contractor needs to ensure that the QTP is given the necessary time, resources and support to enable them to fulfil their role. In some circumstances more than one QTP may be required, for example where the business is divided into specialist divisions or operates in a number of different geographic locations throughout the state.

An electrical contractor must notify the ESO within 10 Buiness days of a QTP ceasing to be eligible to be endorsed on the electrical contractor’s licence. Electrical contractor’s can notify the ESO of a change to a QTP on their licence by visiting the ESO Electrical Licensing Portal.

An electrical contractor’s licence is automatically suspended if for a period of 30 days, there is no person who is a QTP endorsed on the electrical contractor licence. Within 30 days after the licence is automatically suspended, if there is still not a QTP endorsed on the licence, the electrical contractor’s licence is automatically cancelled.

Note – This is the same requirement for the Qualified Business Person (QBP)

Each QTP needs to maintain the currency of their electrical work licence and promptly advise the electrical contractor licence holder if they no longer hold an electrical work licence, such as when their licence is suspended for disciplinary reasons, or it has expired. The electrical contractor must ensure the person nominated as the QTP holds a currently issued worker licence to maintain the contractor licence.

What must a QTP do?

A QTP is essential for the electrical contractor to trade and to conduct their business in a way that is electrically safe. The QTP is required to either perform or supervise all electrical work performed in the business and ensure that the work is electrically safe.

Like every electrical worker, there are requirements that the QTP must meet. For example, the QTP must perform electrical work in accordance with the regulations and applicable standards.

An electrical contractor cannot transfer their electrical safety duties to the QTP, however in some cases the QTP and the electrical contractor will be the same person, such as for a sole trader.

Only a QTP can sign documents about electrical work that are required by the Electrical Safety Act 2002 or by an electricity entity.

It is important for QTPs to understand that their name and licence details are publicly displayed on an online electrical licence register. This may also include any conditions or disciplinary matters as determined by the regulator.

How does a QTP go about their role?

QTPs will often be delegated certain tasks as part of normal work practices. Each electrical contracting business may have a different approach depending on their particular circumstances.

Ways a QTP can support and assist an electrical contractor to conduct their business safely, include:

Safe systems of work

Develop and implement risk management systems, policies, procedures, safe work method statements (SWMS) and risk assessments (job safety assessments).
Develop safe work procedures for the way electrical work is carried out (e.g. working on or near energised electrical equipment, energised electrical work, installation inspection and testing procedures, emergency rescue).
Ensure that electrical work complies with the Wiring Rules and other relevant standards
Ensure that electrical workers are trained and know how to implement the business's installation inspection and testing procedures.
Audit and enforce compliance with the electrical contractor's risk management system.
Review and update safe work procedures when common issues and/or defects are identified, or when there are changes to the nature of the work.

Training and competence

Ensure all electrical workers competencies are up to date (e.g. CPR/LVR), including anyone acting as a safety observer for energised electrical work
Note that all electrical workers licences are current and extend to the scope of work being performed.
Ensure electrical workers are competent for the planned work and implement a system to monitor and review competency requirements (e.g. testing, fault finding, supervision of apprentices, etc).
Manage the electrical contractor's licensed worker register.
Manage the work program of electrical apprentices and trainees to ensure they receive the depth of experience to enable successful completion of the profiling requirements.
Arrange regular training and skills programs for electrical workers, including refresher training, electrical risk assessment, toolbox sessions,
Conduct regular toolbox talks or other ways to engage and consult workers in improving electrical safety.
Ensuring that those workers who are assisting a licensed electrical worker to carry out electrical work on electrical equipment are under the direct supervision of the electrical worker, if the assistance does not involve physical contact with any energised electrical equipment.

Supervision

Induct and mentor new employees.
Provide appropriate levels of supervision to all workers.
Ensure that apprentices and trainees are supervised at all times by an electrical worker who is licensed to perform the work, taking into account:

the type of electrical work being performed
the adequacy of the apprentice/trainee's training
the competency of the apprentice/ trainee supervisor.

Assist licensed electrical workers who are required to supervise and train apprentices and trainees to understand what is expected of them.
Implement relevant, effective, and appropriate monitoring and communication systems to support apprentice and trainee supervision.
Provide an effective means of communication for remote or isolated workers.
Ensuring a safe system of work is implemented for the supervision of apprentices or trainees.

Technical expertise

Be actively involved in workplace consultative committees.
Advise on application and implementation of Australian Standards, legislation, codes of practice and entity requirements.
Analyse how new technologies or systems of work may create electrical safety risk and recommend ways to control risk.
Apply and monitor quality assurance systems and processes, such as keeping up-to-date with product recalls that may impact on the business.

Further information

Role of a qualified technical person fact sheet (PDF, 2.86 MB)
Electrical contractor licences
Call 1300 362 128