Renovator fined for unlicensed electrical work

A Perth business owner hired to renovate a laundry has been fined $3000 for performing unlicensed electrical work.

After pleading guilty to breaching the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 at Perth Magistrates Court, the renovator was ordered to pay the fine and costs of $869.

The laundry renovations occurred in December 2023 at a home in Atwell, where as part of the job, the business owner installed new socket outlets and relocated a light switch. Socket outlets and light switches form part of an electrical installation that is supplied with 240 volts of mains power.

Under the regulations, only a licensed electrical contractor can be engaged to carry out electrical installing work, and the work must be carried out by a licensed electrical worker employed by that contractor.

The court heard that the renovator had never held an electrical licence.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Dan Kearney, said electrical work must only be carried out by licensed and qualified people.

“Licensing ensures electrical work is performed safely, certified correctly and is subject to inspection. Unlicensed work puts people and property at risk, while possibly having insurance implications,” he said.

“Fortunately, no one was injured in this instance, but the risk was certainly there.”

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