Building and Energy is reminding consumers about the safety and insurance impacts of unlicensed electrical work following the conviction of a Perth air-conditioning business owner.
The energy safety regulator prosecuted the man for breaching the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. Under this law, it is an offence for a person to carry out electrical installing work, or imply they are authorised to do so, without holding an electrical contractor’s licence.
The man pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000 at Armadale Magistrates Court. He is not named because the court granted a spent conviction.
The court was told the business owner facilitated the installation of two split-system air conditioners at a Queens Park property in 2024. He issued an invoice under his business name and accepted payment in cash.
The project involved electrical installing work that requires an electrical contractor’s licence, such as adding a protective device in the switchboard and connecting fixed wiring. The man has never held an electrical contractor’s or an electrical worker’s licence.
WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, encouraged consumers to check that a licensed electrician, employed by a licensed electrical contractor, carries out electrical installing work for new air-conditioning units.
“Even refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians who hold a restricted electrical licence are only authorised to carry out certain limited electrical work when repairing or replacing equipment – they cannot undertake electrical installing work,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“At least four years of training and experience are required to become a licensed electrician. To ensure safety and compliance, their work also requires certification and is subject to inspection.
“There is no place for amateur electrical work due to the significant dangers as well as insurance implications if something goes wrong. Only licensed electrical contractors hold the required insurance to be able to carry out electrical work for the general public.”
An electrical licence search is available at the Building and Energy website or the ServiceWA app.
Building and Energy has published a fact sheet on the limitations of refrigeration and air-conditioning restricted electrical licences.
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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
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