Worker fined for unlicensed electrical work

A Perth man has been fined for completing an entire switchboard relocation without holding any form of electrical licence.

WA regulator Building and Energy is reminding consumers to check the credentials of service providers after the man contracted for and provided electrical work at an East Victoria Park property. At Perth Magistrates Court, he was ordered to pay a $3500 fine and costs of $951.50 after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.

In March 2023, the defendant responded to a homeowner’s request for electrical work via a services website. He later provided a written quote for the switchboard relocation. The court heard that he had never held any electrical licence and had never been a licensed electrical worker or electrical contractor.

Under the regulations, only a licensed electrical contractor can be contracted for electrical work or imply they are authorised to do so.

Despite this the defendant later carried out the electrical work, which included moving the property’s switchboard and meter enclosure, as well as altering wiring behind the meter panel and in the ground. He also opened and examined the network operator’s green electrical connection pillar.

The regulations state this work must only be carried out by a licensed electrical worker employed by a licensed electrical contractor.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the case demonstrated the importance of licensing requirements for electrical work.

“Electrical work by an unlicensed and unqualified person is unsafe,” he said.

“To ensure safety and compliance, at least four years of training and experience are required to become a licensed electrician. Electrical contractors must also certify their work, which is then subject to inspection.”

In court on 4 April 2025, Magistrate Catherine Crawford acknowledged the defendant’s early guilty plea and limited capacity to pay a fine. Crawford went on to describe the charges as serious and noted an inherent risk of harm from electricity and the “potential for significant harm” due to the nature of the work.

“Fortunately no one was injured in this case, but problems did occur with the work,” Abdoolakhan said.

“The network operator and an electrical contractor were required to attend to ensure the installation was safe and compliant.”

Image credit: iStock.com/kvkirillov