The Electrical Licensing Board has adopted an updated Fit and proper assessment criteria for the issue of licences and permits policy that will come into effect Wednesday 4 December 2024.
The policy requires all new electrician, electrical training, electrical permit or restricted electrical licence applicants to provide an Australian police check with their application. The police check must be no more than three months old and from an accepted provider.
For more information about accepted providers and how to apply for a police check.
The requirements do not apply for applications to renew an existing electrical worker's licence.
What is electrical work?
Electrical work is defined in the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 and means work on electrical machines or instruments, on an electrical installation or on electrical appliances or equipment to which electricity is supplied or intended to be supplied, at a nominal pressure exceeding 50 volts alternating current or 120 volts direct current, whether or not the thing on which the work is being performed is part of, or is connected to or to be connected to, any distribution works or private generating plant and, where work is performed on any appliance, whether or not electricity is supplied or may be supplied thereto through an electric plug socket or socket outlet.
What types of electrical licences are issued?
In Western Australia, licences are issued for the following types of work:
- Electrical contracting work - to electrical contractors.
- Electrical installing work - to electricians. Electricians are licensed for up to 5 years.
- Electrical training - to apprentices and trainees. An apprentice/trainee electrician will have a licence card issued for the period of the apprenticeship/traineeship. Training organisations and employers should ask to see the licence card to demonstrate that the apprentice is appropriately licensed to perform electrical work.
- Restricted electrical work - to restricted electrical workers. Restricted Electrical Licences (RELs) are issued to persons other than electricians to legally carry out a "restricted" range of electrical tasks. The holder of a REL is not permitted to carry out the installation or alterations to fixed wiring or to repair or replace items such as power points, lighting fittings etc.
Electrical licensing forms
Applications cannot be processed unless all sections are completed, all attachments provided and fees paid. If your application is found to be incomplete or is not fully informative, you will be requested to provide outstanding or additional information.
Proof of identity requirements for applicants for an electrical licence
Licensing Services maintains a register of licensed electrical and ensures that the information is accurate and confidential, protecting operatives against the possible fraudulent use of their name. This fact sheet explains the requirements for an applicant to prove his or her identity.
Mutual recognition
If you are registered or licensed as an electrical worker elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to be registered as an electrical worker with the Electrical Licensing Board in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your qualifications recognised in WA.
Pathways to becoming an electrical worker
Show morePathways to becoming an electrical worker
Building and Energy and the Electrical Licensing Board have established Essential Performance Capabilities Required for Licensed Electricians, a set of 55 competencies as safety outcomes for licensing purposes. These are a nationally consistent set as agreed by the National Uniform Electrical Licensing Council.
Licences can be obtained for those trained:
- in Western Australia;
- in other Australian jurisdictions;
- in New Zealand; or
- overseas.
How to become an electrician in Western Australia
- Consider completing a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (UEE22020). This is a good way to sample this career path before committing to further training.
- Complete a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820) as part of an apprenticeship. This typically takes 4 years and includes structured training through a registered training organisation and workplace experience.
- Apply for an Electrician’s Licence. As licensing and registration requirements may vary between states, you should check with the licensing body in your state for specific details.
- Ensure you have other relevant licences that may be required, such as a certification to work at heights and/or in confined spaces. You may also need to gain a White Card that will allow you to work on a construction site.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for this licence you must:
- Be a fit and proper person.
- Have successfully completed an approved apprenticeship, course or skills training program, VET course or training and practical experience equivalent to an apprenticeship.
- Have the required experience or training for the type of work to be carried out under the licence.
- Have passed all required examinations or assessments.
- Satisfy the board that you have been assessed as satisfactory in relation to safety issues.
Licensing of electrical workers and electrical contractors
Show moreLicensing of electrical workers and electrical contractors
The risks associated with an unsafe installation are high, so the work must be restricted to competent (licensed) workers. To emphasise the nature of the hazard, these installations can appear to operate well yet be unsafe. For example, an electrical installation can work without the safety system for many years, until a fault occurs that requires the safety system to prevent a dangerous situation arising.
A licensing system is in place to ensure only competent workers carry out electrical installing work.
In Western Australia, the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 provide that electrical work may only be carried out by persons with the appropriate electrical worker's licence (as issued by the Electrical Licensing Board) unless it is a type of work that is exempted by regulation.
Only those who meet competency standards are licensed. A disciplinary process is in place to ensure that only those competent remain as licensed persons. The competency standards cover work practices, equipment and installation. Those who breach regulations may:
- be prosecuted in the courts;
- lose their licence; and/or
- have conditions placed on their licence.
Building and Energy and the Electrical Licensing Board have established Essential Performance Capabilities Required for Licensed Electricians, a set of 55 competencies as safety outcomes for licensing purposes. These are a nationally consistent set as agreed by the National Uniform Electrical Licensing Council.
Licences can be obtained for those trained:
- in Western Australia;
- in other Australian jurisdictions;
- in New Zealand; or
- Overseas.
Electrical installing work must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor, who in turn must employ licensed electricians. Electricians hold an electrician's licence which, if unrestricted, allows them to carry out electrical installing and electrical fitting work. However, the electrician's licence may be endorsed "Electrical Fitting Work Only" which allows the person to carry out only electrical fitting work.
The holder of an electrical contractor's licence must visibly display the licence number on all advertising for that electrical contracting business. This includes business cards, work vehicles and any advertisements. The licence number is preceded by "EC". Electrical Contractors are not issued with a plastic licence card but are issued with a Certificate of Registration. The Certificate of Registration is to be visibly displayed at the principal place of business.
