Electrical licensing disciplinary action
In February 2025, the Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against nine licence holders:
An electrical worker performed electrical work which included the installation and energisation of a new meter box panel on a domestic house build.
The electrical worker failed to ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it was affected by the electrical work, was tested to ensure it was electrically safe and compliant with the Wirings Rules under section 71 of the Electrical Safety Regulations 2013.
As a result of this failure, the submain circuit feeding the meter panel had been connected and energised with a reverse polarity of the active and neutral conductors. This caused the metal meter panel enclosure to become energised as the property had an independent earth electrode with an MEN. Subsequently, a worker installing weatherproof sheeting at the property received an electric shock when contact was made with the metal meter box panel.
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 caution and a $400 penalty.
An electrical contractor performed electrical work which included the installation and energisation of a new meter box panel on a domestic house build.
The electrical contractor failed to ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it was affected by the electrical work, was tested to ensure it was electrically safe and compliant with the Wirings Rules under section 71 of the Electrical Safety Regulations 2013.
As a result of this failure, the submain circuit feeding the meter panel had been connected and energised with a reverse polarity of the active and neutral conductors. This caused the metal meter panel enclosure to become energised as the property had an independent earth electrode with an MEN. Subsequently, a worker installing weatherproof sheeting at the property received an electric shock when contact was made with the metal meter box panel.
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 caution and with a $1,000 penalty.
An electrical worker performed and supervised electrical work at a residence which included the removal of a redundant single-phase circuit.
The electrical worker failed to ensure that electrical work is not performed on electrical equipment while the equipment is energised.
The electrical worker also failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether it is energised.
As a result of these failures, an electrical apprentice contacted an energised conductor and received an electric shock.
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 and training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee, within three months. The worker was issued with a reprimand and a $1,000 penalty.
An electrical contractor performed and supervised electrical work at a residence which included the removal of a redundant single-phase circuit.
The electrical contractor failed to ensure that electrical work is not performed on electrical equipment while the equipment is energised.
The electrical contractor also failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether it is energised.
As a result of these failures, an electrical apprentice contacted an energised conductor and received an electric shock.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor licence, effective immediately. All QTP’s must complete mandatory training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee 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 $1,500 penalty.
An electrical worker performed and supervised electrical work at a commercial property. The electrical work included the removal of redundant TPS cables from wall cavities.
The electrical worker failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether it is energised.
As a result of this failure a first-year electrical apprentice in the first six months of employment contacted the exposed part of an energised conductor and received an electric shock to the right index finger.
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 and training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee, within three months. The worker was issued with a caution and a $1,000 penalty.
- An electrical contractor performed electrical work at a commercial property. The electrical work included the removal of redundant TPS cables from wall cavities.
The electrical contractor failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether it is energised.
As a result of this failure a first-year electrical apprentice in the first six months of employment contacted the exposed part of an energised conductor and received an electric shock to the right index finger.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor licence, effective immediately. All QTP’s must complete mandatory training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee within three months and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor within six months. It was recommended that all Tradespersons also undertake the mentoring an apprentice or trainee course.The contractor was issued with a caution and with a $1,000 penalty.
An electrical worker performed electrical work at a caravan park, which included the installation of new underground sub mains and associated switchboards throughout the new caravan park and the installation of multiple socket outlets on posts ready for the connection of caravans to electrical supply.
The electrical worker failed to conduct testing and verification 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 this failure the electrical installation was connected and energised with multiple non compliances with the Wiring Rules. Because of the performance of this non-compliant electrical work, persons and property were not electrically safe.
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 and training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee, within three months. The worker was issued with a caution and a $1,000 penalty.
An electrical contractor performed electrical work at a caravan park, which included the installation of new underground sub mains and associated switchboards throughout the new caravan park and the installation of multiple socket outlets on posts ready for the connection of caravans to electrical supply.
The electrical contractor failed to conduct testing and verification 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 this failure the electrical installation was connected and energised with multiple non compliances with the Wiring Rules. Because of the performance of this non-compliant electrical work, persons and property were not electrically safe.
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 caution and with a $1,000 penalty.
An electrical contractor performed electrical work at a commercial property. This electrical work included the electrical fit out of a newly constructed commercial wedding and accommodation venue and included the renovation of an existing house.
The electrical 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.
The electrical contractor also failed to undertake mandatory verification testing to ensure the electrical installation was electrically safe.
As a result of this failure the electrical installation was energised with multiple non compliances with the Wiring Rules.Several cables were found to be left unterminated and connected to a source of supply. In one case, the turning on of a light switch resulted in the unterminated cable becoming live.
It was reported a worker received electric shock when coming into contact with the exposed parts of unterminated energised conductors and another worker reported a live cable shorted to a metallic bench top during installation.
A live 5 gang light switch was left off the wall for a period of time with exposed live parts. This posed a risk of electric shock.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to disqualify the electrical contractor from holding an electrical contractor licence for a period of 5 years, effective immediately. The contractor was issued with a reprimand and a $4,000 penalty.