What can happen if I do my own electrical work?
In Western Australia, electrical safety inspectors investigate and prosecute unlicensed work.
Aside from being illegal, people who perform unlicensed and DIY electrical work risk contact with electricity, which can have deadly consequences for them as well as for the users or anyone else who comes into contact with the electrical installation or equipment which may accidentally be left in an unsafe state. This danger may not be immediately apparent and often only becomes evident in a fault situation or may even develop over time.
Major property damage from an electrical fire is also a risk and if it was the result of illegal electrical work, your insurer may refuse the claim.
What are the penalties?
DIY electrical work is regarded as unlicensed electrical work, which is illegal, and has penalties of up to $40,000 for individuals.
A breach that exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness attracts a maximum penalty of $600,000 for an individual ($3,000,000 for a corporation) or five years imprisonment.
Use a licensed electrician always!
Always get a licensed electrician to do any electrical work.
When choosing one, always look for their electrical contractor licence number and confirm that it’s current before agreeing to any work.
Under section 18 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act), electrical work includes “the manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing, or replacing of electrical equipment”.
This covers tasks like:
It’s not illegal to purchase electrical accessories or appliances that need to be hard-wired, but they must be connected by a licensed electrician.
Other work such as replacing a drive belt in a washing machine, cutting openings for air-conditioning units or fitting, but not connecting, an electric wall oven in a kitchen cabinet are not regarded as electrical work. However, electrical risks such as damage to, or contact with, wiring contained within wall cavities need to be considered and controlled, particularly when cutting holes or driving screws or nails into walls.
DO NOT D.I.Y (Do It Yourself) ELECTRICAL WORK
