The role of a 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 Business days of a QTP ceasing to be eligible to be endorsed on the electrical contractor’s licence. Electrical contractors 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.