Aaron John Smith — Licensed Electrician (New South Wales)
Licence Details
| Licence Number | 196029C |
|---|---|
| Licence Class | Electrician |
| Status | Expired |
| Issue Date | 26 June 2007 |
| Expiry Date | 26 June 2024 |
| Source | NSW_FT |
This data is sourced from public government registers and may not reflect real-time changes. Always confirm licence details with NSW Fair Trading directly. Full disclaimer.
What a Electrician Licence Means in New South Wales
Electricians design, install, test, and maintain the electrical wiring and systems that power Australian homes and businesses. Their work spans everything from upgrading a switchboard to meet current safety standards, to wiring a new home, installing ceiling fans, fitting off solar inverters, and troubleshooting circuit faults. Because electricity poses a serious risk of fire and electrocution, Australian law tightly regulates who can perform electrical work. Every state requires electricians to hold both a licence issued by the electrical safety regulator and a current Electrical Work Licence or equivalent. Homeowners most commonly call an electrician for safety switch installations, power point additions, lighting upgrades, switchboard replacements, and solar panel connections. Completed electrical work must be tested and a certificate of compliance issued.
Electrician Licence Types in New South Wales
- Electrical Contractor Licence — Contract for and supervise electrical work in NSW
- Qualified Supervisor Certificate — Electrical — Supervise electrical work carried out under a contractor licence
- Electrician Tradesperson Certificate — Carry out electrical work under a contractor
Requirements
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820 or equivalent)
- Completed 4-year apprenticeship
- NSW electrical licence from Fair Trading
- Contractor: Home Building Compensation Fund cover for residential work over $20,000
- Public liability insurance
Penalties for Unlicensed Work
Unlicensed electrical work in NSW can result in fines up to $110,000 for individuals and $330,000 for corporations. Dangerous electrical work can also lead to imprisonment.
Exemptions
- Replacing a light bulb or starter (like-for-like)
- Plugging in portable electrical appliances
- Replacing a plug-in fuse
- Extra-low-voltage work under 50V AC (e.g. doorbells)
Hiring a Licensed Electrician in NSW
Before hiring any electrician in New South Wales, use this five-point checklist to protect yourself and ensure you're working with a properly licensed and insured professional.
- Confirm their electrical licence class covers your job — Electrical licences come in different classes. An Electrical Mechanic (or equivalent) licence covers general installation work, while a Restricted Electrical Licence only permits specific tasks like air-conditioning disconnect/reconnect. Always confirm the class matches the work you need.
- Ask whether they will test and tag after installation — After completing electrical work, a licensed electrician should perform insulation resistance, polarity, and earth continuity tests. Ask whether testing is included in the quote and whether you will receive a copy of the test results alongside the certificate of compliance.
- Check they are registered with the state electrical safety regulator — Unlike most trades where a single building authority issues licences, electricians are often regulated by a separate electrical safety office. Search the relevant state register — such as the QLD Electrical Safety Office or Energy Safe Victoria — to verify the licence is current.
- Ask about their approach to switchboard capacity — If you are adding circuits — for a hot tub, EV charger, or workshop — the switchboard may need upgrading. A good electrician will assess spare capacity before quoting and let you know if a switchboard upgrade is required, rather than discovering it mid-job.
- Verify they carry a current Electrical Work Licence — In addition to their trade qualification, electricians in most states must hold a current Electrical Work Licence (or Electrician Licence) that is renewed periodically. An expired licence means they are not legally permitted to do electrical work, even if their qualifications are valid.
Red Flags to Watch For
- No certificate of electrical safety provided — After completing prescribed electrical work, the electrician must issue a certificate of electrical safety (or equivalent compliance document). This certificate is lodged with the state regulator. If the electrician says they will "sort it out later" or that it is not needed, the work may not be inspected and could be unsafe.
- Proposes bypassing safety switches to "stop nuisance tripping" — Safety switches (RCDs) that trip frequently indicate a genuine fault — possibly a damaged appliance, moisture ingress, or deteriorating wiring. An electrician who suggests removing or bypassing the RCD rather than diagnosing the root cause is putting your safety at risk.
- Unable to show a current Electrical Work Licence — An electrician who only shows a trade certificate or apprenticeship completion without a current Electrical Work Licence may not be legally authorised to perform work. The licence is separate from the qualification and must be renewed regularly with the state electrical safety regulator.
Typical Electrician Costs in New South Wales
| Hourly Rate | $85 – $135 |
|---|---|
| Callout Fee | $65 – $105 |
| Install new power point | $160 – $315 |
| Switchboard upgrade | $840 – $2625 |
| Install ceiling fan | $160 – $370 |
Your Rights — Complaints & Disputes in New South Wales
NSW Fair Trading
How to Lodge a Complaint
- 1 Write to the tradesperson describing the problem and requesting a solution within a reasonable time (14–21 days)
- 2 If unresolved, lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading online or by calling 13 32 20
- 3 Fair Trading will assess your complaint and may contact the tradesperson on your behalf