In the ACT, an electrician must be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 and meet all the eligibility requirements.

Before you apply for an electrician licence, you will need to collect evidence of your qualifications and eligibility. The evidence you need will depend on the class of licence you are applying for.

Changes to electrician licences

New licensing requirements for solar PV, inverter and battery system installations

You are now required to have an endorsement on your electrician’s licence if you are undertaking electrical wiring work on a thing that is declared a distributed energy resource (DER), such as rooftop solar, inverters and batteries.

It is an offence for electricians to carry out work without an endorsement.

Licence classes

The main categories of electrician licences are:

  • unrestricted
  • restricted

Permits can be issued to individuals who have not yet attained the full qualifications for the unrestricted licence. A permit holder must only perform wiring work under the direct supervision of an individual who is fully licensed and who has not been restricted from supervising in their conditions.

Unrestricted electrician

  • Electrical wiring work without supervision.
  • Supervision of electrical wiring work.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Electrotechnology systems permit

  • Electrical wiring work under supervision of an unrestricted electrician licence holder.
  • Incidental electrical wiring work.

Generally, you would apply for this permit so you can get the practical wiring experience required to upgrade to the unrestricted electrician licence.

Restricted – Electrotechnology systems assembly and servicing electrical fitting

  • Incidental electrical wiring work in relation to electrical fitting disconnection and reconnection work.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Restricted – Electrotechnology systems mechanical fitting

  • Incidental electrical wiring work in relation to mechanical fitting disconnection and reconnection work.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Restricted – Electrotechnology systems plumbing and gasfitting

  • Incidental electrical wiring work in relation to plumbing and gasfitting disconnection and reconnection work.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Restricted – Electrotechnology systems refrigeration and air-conditioning

  • Incidental electrical wiring work in relation to refrigeration and air-conditioning disconnection and reconnection work.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Restricted – Electrotechnology systems type B gas appliances

  • Incidental electrical wiring work in relation to disconnection and reconnection of type B gas appliances.
  • Contract only in circumstances where the licence is not conditioned to exclude this service.

Endorsement for distributed energy resource work

Distributed energy resource work is electrical wiring work on a declared distributed energy resource. A declared distributed energy resource is:

  • installation of solar photovoltaic panels;
  • installation of grid-connected inverters as part of a solar photovoltaic system; and
  • installation of grid connected battery energy storage systems.

An updated Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration has been issued setting out the qualification requirements for the endorsement.

To apply for the endorsement: Apply online for an Electrical Licence Endorsement.

For electricians that hold a current accreditation with the accreditation scheme operator for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, it will be sufficient to provide evidence of that current accreditation with the application.

Mandatory qualifications

You need to meet mandatory qualifications to apply for your electrician licence. You have options based on which licence class you are applying for. These are explained in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

Interstate licence holders

You may be able to apply for an ACT licence if you’re already licensed in another state or territory. Find out more about mutual recognition.

Start your application

To start your electrician licence application, collect your evidence and review the fees. Then complete and lodge:

Note, you can start an online application and save it to return to later. Your application won’t be submitted until the documents are lodged and fee paid.

Timeframe

The assessment of your application will take at least four weeks.

If your application is incomplete, or we need more information or verification, the assessment will take more time. Requests for more information will be sent to you via email.

Assessments of applications will not be fast tracked in any circumstances.

Your responsibilities

If granted an electrician licence, you are responsible for the administration and requirements of that licence. This includes:

  • complying with your obligations under the legislative framework
  • undertaking work in a proper and skilful way
  • rectifying issues that may arise with the quality of your work
  • understanding the requirements for insurances, contracts and other obligations

Corporations or partnerships intending to provide electrical wiring services (doing or supervising electrical wiring work) will need to hold an electrician licence in the appropriate category.