Electricians jobs in Australia

Licensing

Licensing by state

A licence is required in every Australian state and territory before you can carry out electrical work — there is no unlicensed pathway anywhere in the country. Each jurisdiction has its own electrical regulator and its own licence classes, and a separate contractor licence or registration is needed if you want to contract directly to customers or run a business.

the Australian Capital Territory

The Construction Occupations Registrar, through Access Canberra, licenses electricians under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. An unrestricted electrician licence allows electrical wiring work without supervision; an electrotechnology systems permit covers work done under an unrestricted electrician's supervision, and five restricted classes cover limited disconnection and reconnection work. Endorsements cover distributed energy resources and interval metering.

New South Wales

Building Commission NSW (Fair Trading) issues electrical credentials under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017. A qualified supervisor certificate lets you do and supervise electrical wiring work, while contracting to customers requires an individual, or a company or partnership, contractor licence. The main pathway is UEE30820 plus 12 months of documented experience, with a National Police Check no older than four months.

the Northern Territory

NT WorkSafe licenses electrical workers under the Electrical Safety Act 2022 and Electrical Safety Regulations 2024. An unrestricted electrical mechanic and fitter work licence authorises you to carry out or supervise electrical work, including installing and altering electrical installations and maintaining, repairing and connecting electrical equipment. Eligibility requires a completed apprenticeship, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician or equivalent, and the specified trade experience.

Queensland

The Electrical Safety Office, part of WorkSafe Queensland, issues electrical work licences. An electrical mechanic licence authorises all electrical work, while restricted licences, fitter, jointer and linesperson licences cover narrower scopes. A business carrying out licensed electrical work also needs an unrestricted or restricted electrical contractor licence.

South Australia

Consumer and Business Services registers electrical workers under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995 and the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Regulations 2025. Every electrical worker, including apprentices, must hold a photographic registration card, which runs for three years, and contracting to the public requires an electrical contractor's licence.

Tasmania

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), within the Department of Justice, issues electrical practitioner licences under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005. Licence classes include electrician, cable jointer and line worker, with a provisional licence available to overseas-trained applicants completing gap training. Contracting for electrical work requires an electrical contractor licence and public and products liability insurance.

Victoria

Energy Safe Victoria licenses electrical workers. The Electrician's licence (A Grade) allows electrical installation work without supervision, and applicants must complete a four-year apprenticeship and Certificate III, document 12 months of installation experience and pass the Licensed Electrician's Assessment (LEA). Doing electrical work for profit or reward also requires registration as a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC).

Western Australia

Building and Energy, supported by the Electrical Licensing Board, issues the electrician's licence, which authorises you to work as an unsupervised electrician and is valid for up to five years. Applicants must be a fit and proper person, have completed an approved apprenticeship or equivalent training and experience, and pass the required examinations. A separate electrical contractor's licence is needed if you are self-employed.