Electrical Licensing Across Australia
Electrical work is one of the most strictly regulated trades in Australia — and for good reason. Faulty electrical work poses serious safety risks including electrocution and house fires. Every state and territory requires electricians to hold a valid licence before performing any electrical work.
We’ve compiled the latest data from each state’s electrical licensing register to provide a clear picture of the licensed electrician workforce in 2026.
State-by-State Numbers
The distribution of licensed electricians across Australia reflects both population density and industry demand:
- New South Wales leads in absolute numbers, with the largest pool of licensed electrical workers.
- Victoria follows closely, driven by major infrastructure projects and residential construction.
- Queensland has seen the fastest growth rate over the past three years, with a 4% annual increase in new licences issued.
- Western Australia maintains a strong per-capita ratio, supported by the mining and resources sector.
- South Australia and Tasmania have smaller workforces but report proportionally fewer shortages than other trades.
Licence Types Explained
Electrical licensing in Australia typically includes several tiers:
- Electrical Mechanic / Tradesperson Licence: Allows general electrical installation work under supervision or independently (varies by state).
- Electrical Contractor Licence: Required to operate an electrical contracting business and enter into contracts for electrical work.
- Restricted Electrical Licence: Permits specific types of electrical work only (e.g., disconnecting/reconnecting appliances).
The exact terminology and requirements differ between states. For a complete breakdown, see our guide on electrical licensing requirements across Australia.
Industry Trends
Several notable trends are shaping the electrical workforce in 2026:
- Solar and battery installations: The rapid uptake of residential solar panels and battery storage systems has created a new specialisation within electrical licensing.
- EV charger installations: Growing electric vehicle adoption is driving demand for qualified electricians with EV charger installation competencies.
- Smart home technology: Electricians with data cabling and smart home integration skills are commanding premium rates.
Hiring an Electrician
Before hiring an electrician, always verify their licence is current and appropriate for the work you need done. Electrical work performed by unlicensed individuals is not only illegal but can void your home insurance.
Use our licence verification tools to check any electrician’s credentials, or read our comprehensive guide on how to hire a licensed electrician.
Sources and further reading
Licence counts shown on this page are based on TradieVerify’s aggregation of state and territory licensing register data.
- NSW licence verification portal — the NSW Government’s public portal for checking trade and business licences, including electricians.
- Energy Safe Victoria — Victoria’s energy safety regulator, responsible for licensing electricians in Victoria.
- DEMIRS — the Western Australian government department responsible for electrical licensing and energy safety regulation in WA.
About the author
Jess Smith — Founder & Editor, TradieVerify
Jess is an independent publisher based in Sydney, NSW. She launched TradieVerify in 2025 after a renovation went wrong at the hands of a builder who turned out not to be licensed, and now writes the site's hiring and licensing guides and maintains its licence data pipeline covering every Australian state and territory register.
More about TradieVerify Where our data comes from Contact Jess