Former electrical contractor Per Melbourne Pty Ltd (EC15656), trading as Richtek Perth and Richtek Melbourne, has been fined $50,000 for notification delays described as a “very poor example of compliance” that prevented timely safety inspections of electrical work.
At Perth Magistrates Court on 21 February 2025, the company was convicted of 15 offences under WA’s electricity licensing regulations following prosecution by Building and Energy.
The court was told the offences represented 64 occasions when Per Melbourne, now in voluntary liquidation, failed to lodge notices of completion with the network operator within three days of completing electrical work. Two-thirds of the lodgements took 100 days or more, with one provided after 302 days.
The law requires timely notices to enable prompt sample inspections of electrical work to ensure it is compliant, safe and completed.
Magistrate Michelle Harries ordered Per Melbourne to pay a global penalty of $50,000 and costs of $494.24, noting the inherent seriousness of electrical matters due to the risks involved. Her Honour said the delayed notices denied inspectors the opportunity to check the work at the relevant time and the overall conduct was “a very poor example of compliance”.
WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the significant fine should send a clear message about electrical contractors’ responsibilities.
“Electrical faults can put people at risk of serious injury or death,” he said.
“Notices of completion must be submitted within three days to trigger the inspection process and mitigate the hazards of dangerous defects remaining undetected for extended periods.
“This company lodged the notices far too late and only after Building and Energy intervened. This conduct is unacceptable and shows a blatant disregard for public safety and the statutory obligations of electrical contractors.”
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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
