Did you know that you might end up violating Australian law if you go about doing electrical work yourself? If you aren’t planning on hiring a licensed electrician, there are certain Australian laws that you must be aware of.

Electrical Safety Laws Depend on Your State

While changing light bulbs yourself wouldn’t be considered an “illegal act”, there are other repairs that the government prevents you from DIYing. Here is a brief list of some of the electrical jobs for which you must rely on professional electrical contractors.

• Repairing complex electrical equipment like a heater


• Batten holder replacement


• Light switch replacement


• Installation or alternation of power points


• Substituting the electrical outlet of a light for a ceiling fan


• Creating an extension of an existing electrical lead, or replacing it

It might be hard to understand state laws sometimes. For instance, the Fair Trading Site run by the NSW Government states that an electrical license is a must for anybody doing electrical wiring regardless of whether it is industrial, commercial or residential. Such statements make it hard to gauge whether a particular electrical work you may want to undertake in your own home is legal or illegal.

The penalties can also be heavy. In fact the Queensland Government imposes penalties from $40,000 to $1,000,000 and imprisonment between 2 to 3 years for injuries or deaths caused by illegal electrical work.

Insurance Requirements and Electrical Jobs

While your health and safety is of utmost importance, insurance cover is definitely also a concern. You don’t want to be financially vulnerable to any untoward electrical accidents that damage your home. Your home is probably your biggest investment and you don’t want to let anything happen to it. Your house insurance provider can refuse to pay out if it’s found out that you have had illegal DIY electrical work done at your property which resulted in the catastrophe.

Rely on Licensed Electricians

For tasks such as installation of solar panels, air conditioners, washing machine repairs, washing Machine repairs and other appliance repairs, always rely on a licensed electrician.