$23K penalty for false declaration of apprentice experience

A recent Perth prosecution has underlined the importance of ensuring apprentices receive training across all mandatory competencies.

The case involved an Osborne Park business that was found to have falsely declared an electrical apprentice had completed the practical workplace training required to become a licensed electrician.

As a result, the business was ordered to pay more than $23,000 in fines and costs at Perth Magistrates Court, following prosecution by WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy (a division of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety).

The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, which prohibits falsifying any matter relating to a licence application.

The company was not licensed to carry out electrical installing work and did not provide practical electrical installing experience required by the apprenticeship. Instead, the apprentice’s workplace experience had mostly been limited to maintenance and repair of electric pumps and motors, which the business specialised in.

Despite this, the company certified that the apprentice had achieved electrical installation competencies and signed a Training Contract Completion Agreement declaring that all apprenticeship requirements had been met. The declaration enabled the apprentice to obtain a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, which was subsequently used to support an application for an electrical worker’s licence.

In sentencing on 5 June 2026, Magistrate Philip Urquhart recognised this was a significant oversight that resulted in a person entering an industry involving “dangerous work” that should not be undertaken by an unqualified person.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Dan Kearney, said that electrical licensing requirements ensure workers have the practical skills and experience needed to carry out safe and compliant electrical work.

“Signing off competencies that have not been achieved can have serious consequences for workers and the wider community,” he cautioned.

“Employers and supervisors must ensure apprenticeship records accurately reflect the training and experience an apprentice has actually received.”

Visit the Department’s website for more information on safe work and supervision requirements for electrical apprentices.

Image credit: iStock.com/Grigorev_Vladimir