Do solar installers need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Wiring solar panels and batteries is electrical work, so it needs a licensed electrician in every state and territory. To get STCs, the federal battery discount or most state rebates, the installer must also be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Yes | Electrical contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) Licence needed whatever the cost. NSW battery incentives (PDRS) need an SAA battery-accredited installer. |
Check a builder or tradesperson licence (Service NSW) |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Electrician's licence (A Grade) + Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) Solar Victoria rebates need an SAA-accredited installer with an A Grade licence and an authorised retailer. |
ESV public registers (REC register, licensed electrical worker search) |
| QLDQueensland | Yes | Electrical work licence + electrical contractor licence (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Electrical Safety Office (WorkSafe Queensland) Solar and battery wiring is electrical work, so an electrical contractor licence is needed. |
Electrical licence holder search |
| WAWestern Australia | Yes | Electrician's licence + electrical contractor's licence (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Electrical Licensing Board (Building and Energy) Solar and battery wiring must be done by a licensed electrician working for a licensed contractor. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Electrical contractor licence + electrical worker registration (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) The business needs a contractor licence and the worker needs an electrical worker registration. |
CBS licensing register (Find a licence holder) |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Electrical practitioner licence + electrical contractor licence (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Consumer Affairs Tasmania (formerly CBOS) You need an electrical contractor licence to contract for solar or battery wiring. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Yes | Electrician licence (unrestricted) (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Access Canberra (ACT Government) Solar and battery wiring needs an unrestricted electrician licence. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Yes | Unrestricted electrical work licence + electrical contractor licence (plus SAA accreditation for rebates and STCs) Electrical Safety Regulator (NT WorkSafe) NT WorkSafe issues electrical licences since 1 July 2024. |
Check an electrical worker licence (NT) |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Designing or installing grid-connected solar for STCs and rebatesSAA accreditation (Grid-Connected PV: Design, Install, or Design and Install)
every state (national)
Installing home batteries (STCs / Cheaper Home Batteries discount)SAA accreditation with Grid-Connected Battery Storage (battery endorsement) + electrical licence
every state (national)
Off-grid / standalone power systemsSAA Standalone Power Systems (SPS) accreditation
every state (national)
Running the electrical business (contracting for work)Electrical contractor licence (VIC: Registered Electrical Contractor)
every state
Selling solar under Solar Victoria rebatesSolar Victoria authorised retailer (New Energy Tech Consumer Code signatory, NET Approved Seller)
VIC
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the electrical licence number and the name on it.
- Search it on the official register for your state (links below) and check it is current.
- Ask for the SAA accreditation number and check it on the SAA accreditation status check.
- For a battery, check the accreditation includes battery storage (GCBS).
- Check the panels, inverter and battery are on the Clean Energy Council approved lists.
- Make sure the name on the quote matches the licensed business.
- When done, ask for the electrical safety or compliance certificate and the installer's written statement.
Find local businesses: Solar Panel installersPool Heating Installers
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: become a licensed electrician (Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and the state licence).
- Training: finish the SAA-listed solar units (grid-connected PV, and battery units for batteries) with an RTO. Statements must be dated within two years.
- Documents: photo ID, training certificates, electrical licence number and expiry, working safely at heights (RIIWHS204E or CPCCCM2012) and public liability insurance.
- Apply to SAA for accreditation, and apply to your state for the electrical worker and contractor licences (links below).
- Follow the on-site rules: the accredited installer must be on site for set-up, mid-install check and commissioning. No more than 2 claimed installs per day.
- Licensed in another state? Automatic mutual recognition may cover your electrical licence. SAA accreditation is national, but CER says you need an unrestricted electrical licence in the state where you install.
| 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 (38)
- saaustralia.com.au /
- saaustralia.com.au /accreditation-pathways/
- saaustralia.com.au /accreditation-status-check/
- saaustralia.com.au /applications/
- cer.gov.au /schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme
- cer.gov.au /schemes/renewable-energy-target/renewable-energy-target-participants-...
- cer.gov.au /schemes/renewable-energy-target/renewable-energy-target-participants-...
- cer.gov.au /news-and-media/news/2024/march/solar-accreditation-australia-announce...
- dcceew.gov.au /energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries
- dcceew.gov.au /energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries/eligibility-information
- solar.vic.gov.au /notice-to-market-2026-27/section-3-requirements-solar-pv-rebates
- energy.nsw.gov.au /business-and-industry/programs-grants-and-schemes/business-equipment/...
- 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...
- 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...
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