Electrician fined $42K following switchboard relocation

A household in Floreat, Perth, was left exposed to the risk of electric shock for over a year after the incomplete installation of a switchboard by a local electrician.

Following prosecution by WA’s safety regulator, Building and Energy, the electrician entered a written guilty plea at Perth Magistrates Court to two offences under WA’s electricity licensing regulations. He has been fined $42,000.

At sentencing on 25 September 2025, the court heard the electrician relocated the home’s main switchboard in September 2023, but failed to install a critical safety feature: an earthing conductor. Without earthing, there was a serious risk of electric shock if someone touched the switchboard during a fault.

The worker submitted a notice of completion 15 months after finishing the work, rather than within three days as is required by law. This notice incorrectly declared the electrical work was checked, tested and compliant with the regulations.

A subsequent Western Power inspection identified the missing earthing conductor and also found the terminals of bars, circuit-breakers, fuses and other electrical equipment mounted on the switchboard were not marked or arranged to identify the corresponding active and neutral connection for each circuit.

The electrician was fined $27,000 for the non-compliant work and $15,000 for an inaccurate notice of completion. Magistrate Tanya Watt also ordered him to pay $1353 in costs, describing the non-compliance as extremely dangerous and an “extreme example”, noting the potential risk to other electrical workers accessing the switchboard. She acknowledged, however, that the electrician had no prior offences.

Building and Energy Executive Director Daniel Kearney said the case should serve as a reminder to electrical workers and contractors about their responsibilities.

“This home remained hazardous for nearly 15 months between the switchboard work and the discovery and rectification of the missing earthing conductor and incorrect labelling,” Kearney said.

“The law requires electrical workers to submit timely notices to ensure prompt inspections of electrical work to ensure it is compliant and safe.

“The required tests should have been performed, and it was incredibly fortunate that the hazard was found before any injuries or property damage occurred.”

Image credit: iStock.com/artisteer