Electrical licensing disciplinary action

In November 2025, the Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against one licence holder.

An electrical contractor performed electrical work at a residential property. The electrical work included the installation of a 6.6kW PV system, a new metering panel to accommodate the PV system, a new earth electrode, main earth cabling, the work required the consumer mains to be re-routed to the new metering panel location.

The contractor failed to have systems in place to ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it was affected by the electrical work, was electrically safe and compliant with the Wirings Rules under section 71 of the Electrical Safety Regulations 2013.

As a result of the failure to correctly test, the occupier at the residential address reported receiving an electric shock from the garden tap in the vicinity of the switch board and contacted Energex Queensland. Energex conducted testing and found no earth continuity between the main earth conductor at the metering panel (MSB) and the sub board which supplied the dwelling.

The electrical contractor performed electrical work at another residential property. This electrical work included the installation of a 6.6kW PV system, installation of a meter isolation link, a meter neutral bar, a circuit breaker for the inverter supply and a circuit breaker for the grid supply.

As a result of this failure the consumers mains had been connected to the service lines incorrectly resulting in a reverse polarity connection. The occupier of the property reported receiving an electric shock when contacting an external garden tap. Ergon employees attended the property for a shock investigation and testing identified the reverse polarity on the consumers mains.

The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor licence, effective immediately. All QTP’s must complete mandatory training in competency units within three months, and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor within six months. The contractor was issued with a reprimand and with a $4,000 penalty in addition to infringement notices issued by the Electrical Safety Office. The Electrical Licensing Committee has sent a recommendation to the Electrical Safety Office that the disciplinary action regarding the penalty and reprimand be included on the licensing public register, and to remain on the register for three years.

In December 2025, the Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against four licence holders

1. An electrical worker performed electrical work which included investigating a complaint of “no hot water” at a residential property.

The electrical worker found the hot water system functioning correctly. However, during the inspection, the worker identified that the cover of the hot water system was broken. The worker left the site to source a replacement cover failing to isolate the hot water system before leaving.

As a result of this failure, the hot water system remained energise and a child residing at the property received an electric shock after coming into contact with live exposed wiring. The child was taken to hospital where they were treated for minor burns and blisters to their hand and released the same day.

The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical worker licence, effective immediately. The worker was instructed to complete training in competency units within three months. The worker was issued with a reprimand and a $1,500 penalty.

2. An electrical contractor was engaged to perform work at a residential property which included investigating a complaint of “no hot water” at a residential property.

The electrical contractor failed to ensure electrical workers are competent in applying the electrical safety standard required of AS/NZS3000 Wiring Rules for electrical installation practices.

As a result of this failure, a hot water system was left energised with live wires exposed for period while trying to source a replacement part off-site. A child residing at the property received an electric shock after coming into contact with live exposed wiring. The child was taken to hospital where they were treated for minor burns and blisters to their hand and released the same day.

3. An electrical worker performed work at a residence which included energising newly fitted equipment and altering switchboards as part of a solar PV installation.

After completion the homeowner called Ergon to report receiving shocks/tingles from a refrigerator.

The electrical worker failed to follow a safe system of work and connected an electrical installation to a source of electricity without testing to ensure it was electrically safe. As a result of these failures, the homeowner received electric shocks/tingles and Ergon was required to test and isolate the affected circuits.

The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical worker licence and disqualify the worker from being a QTP, effective immediately. The worker was instructed to complete training in competency units and training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee, within three months. The worker was issued with a reprimand and a $3,000 penalty.

4. An electrical contractor was engaged to perform electrical work at a residential property which involved energising newly fitted equipment and altering switchboards as part of a solar PV installation.

The electrical contractor failed to ensure that the electrical installation complied with the wiring rules and as a result the homeowner received electric shocks/tingles and Ergon was required to test and isolate the affected circuits.

The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor’s licence, effective immediately. The contractor must supply the Committee with processes and procedures in respect to determining competency of electrical workers and the role of QTP’s and their responsibilities withing the structure of the company within three months. The contractor was issued with a caution.