Do electricians need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Fixed electrical wiring work needs a licensed electrician in every state and territory. To do the work for customers, the business usually also needs an electrical contractor licence.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Yes | Contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate (electrical wiring work) Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) Licence needed whatever the cost. Work on service lines and metering needs an ASP Level 2. |
Check a builder or tradesperson licence (Service NSW) |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Electrician's licence (A Grade) + Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) An A Grade licence alone does not allow contracting. The business must be an REC. Ask for a Certificate of Electrical Safety. |
ESV public registers (REC register, licensed electrical worker search) |
| QLDQueensland | Yes | Electrical work licence + electrical contractor licence Electrical Safety Office (WorkSafe Queensland) Only an electrical contractor can do electrical work in your home. |
Electrical licence holder search |
| WAWestern Australia | Yes | Electrician's licence + electrical contractor's licence Electrical Licensing Board (Building and Energy) Licensed contractors must employ licensed electricians to do the work. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Electrical contractor licence + electrical worker registration Consumer and Business Services (CBS) A contractor licence does not let a person do the work. They also need a worker registration. |
CBS licensing register (Find a licence holder) |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Electrical practitioner licence + electrical contractor licence Consumer Affairs Tasmania (formerly CBOS) You need a contractor licence to enter into contracts for electrical work. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Yes | Electrician licence (unrestricted) Access Canberra (ACT Government) There are six electrical licence classes and two permit classes. Permit holders work under supervision. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Yes | Unrestricted electrical work licence + electrical contractor licence Electrical Safety Regulator (NT WorkSafe) Since 1 July 2024 NT WorkSafe issues electrical licences. The old licensing board was abolished. |
Check an electrical worker licence (NT) |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Running an electrical business (contracting for work)Electrical contractor licence (VIC: Registered Electrical Contractor)
every state
Connecting to the street, service lines, meteringAccredited Service Provider (ASP) Level 2
NSW
Data, phone and NBN cablingACMA cabling registration (open, restricted or lift)
every state (national)
EV chargers, solar, batteriesElectrical licence (normal fixed wiring work)
every state
Disconnect / reconnect only, like-for-like (e.g. hot water, air-con)Restricted electrical licence or registration
every state
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the exact name on the licence.
- Search that number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Check the licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- Check the licence class covers your job.
- Make sure the name on the quote or invoice matches the licence holder or business.
- Check the business holds a contractor licence, not just the worker licence.
- For NBN or data points, ask for the ACMA cabling registration number.
- Ask for the compliance certificate or safety certificate when the job is done.
Find local businesses: Appliance InstallersElectriciansHome Theatre ExpertsVentilationLightingKitchen Appliances InstallersTest and Tag
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish an electrical apprenticeship and a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.
- Experience: most states want at least 12 months of electrical installation work. VIC also needs the Licensed Electrician's Assessment (LEA).
- Documents: ID, a photo, your qualification, an employer letter for experience, and in NSW a police check no older than 4 months.
- Apply for the worker licence in your state (links below). To contract for work, also apply for an electrical contractor licence with public liability insurance.
- Data cabling needs a separate ACMA cabling registration.
- Licensed in another state? Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) may let you work under your home-state licence. In NSW, wiring work is due to join AMR on 1 October 2027; until then QLD, VIC and ACT electricians can use the East Coast Electricians scheme.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Electrical Safety Office (WorkSafe Queensland) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Electrical Licensing Board (Building and Energy) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer Affairs Tasmania (formerly CBOS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra (ACT Government) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Electrical Safety Regulator (NT WorkSafe) | How to apply | Requirements |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (28)
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/check-a-builder-or-tradesperson-licence
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/automatic-mutual-recogn...
- energy.nsw.gov.au /nsw-plans-and-progress/regulation-and-policy/asp-scheme-and-contestab...
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /licensing/electrical-licences/licence-types/electricians-licence-aae
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /licensing/electrical-licences/licence-types/registered-electrical-con...
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /licensing/search-public-register
- energysafe.vic.gov.au /community-safety/working-tradespeople/electrical-workers
- worksafe.qld.gov.au /licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/classes-of-licences
- worksafe.qld.gov.au /licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/electrical-contactor-...
- wa.gov.au /organisation/service-delivery/electrical-licensing
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/electrical-contractor-licensing
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/licensing
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/licence_categories_guide_electricians.pdf
- cbs.sa.gov.au /find-a-licence-holder
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/electrical/pra...
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/electrical/con...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- worksafe.nt.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/electrical-licensing
- worksafe.nt.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/electrical-licensing/electrical-licenses-a...
- worksafe.nt.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/electrical-licensing/electrical-contractor...
- service.nt.gov.au /services/business-industry/electrical/check-electrical-worker-licence
- service.nt.gov.au /services/business-industry/electrical/check-electrical-contractor-lic...
- acma.gov.au /how-become-cabler
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