WHEN it comes to DIY electrical, there really isn’t much that doesn’t require a qualified electrician by law.
Even though you don’t need a licence to buy electrical goods, you will almost certainly need a tradie to install them.
Apart from possibly saving your life, engaging a professional also makes financial sense. If the electrical work was not carried out by a qualified electrician and causes damage to your house, your insurance company may not cover you. A compliance certificate from your tradie will guarantees, among other things, that the work complies with the appropriate Australian Standard and that you’re covered for defective work.
And DIY electrical work can not be retrospectively certified, even if it’s 100% compliant and checked by a qualified tradie.
But how do you find a good electrician? Word of mouth is always the best recommendation, but even then it is worth your while to contact the Department of Fair Trading and double-check their licence number and that the type of work to be carried out is permitted under their specific licence.
The NSW Fair Trading’s website states that an electrical licence is required before any electrical wiring work can be undertaken in NSW, Under their definition electrical work encompasses the manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing or replacing of any electrical equipment.
That almost leaves you with replacing lightbulbs.
