Skip to content

Get matched

Electrical guidesStart with what's happening at your place.

These guides answer the questions people have before they call an electrician: what's safe to check, what the rules are in your state, and how to pick the right person. If someone has had a shock or something is burning, skip the reading and call 000.

Something's wrong right now

Start with electric shocks and burning smells if anyone has been hurt or something smells hot. For a dead room or half the house, go to power out in part of the house, which also lists every network's faults line.

A switch that won't stay on is covered in why the power keeps tripping. Lights that flicker and alarms that chirp have guides of their own: flickering lights and smoke alarm beeping.

Hiring an electrician

Check the licence first. How to check an electrician's licence covers the register in all eight states and territories. Then how to choose an electrician and reading an electrical quote help you compare like with like.

Rules and paperwork

Wondering whether you can do a job yourself? Can I do my own electrical work? answers it for every state, and for anything wired in, the answer is no. After the work you should get a certificate, and compliance certificates explains what yours is called.

Selling or renting out? See safety switch rules and electrical rules for landlords. Got a pole on your property or a big load planned? Read private power poles and three-phase power explained.

EV charging

Before you buy a charger, check EV charger rebates and programs for what's actually available in your state. For the install itself, see EV charger installation.

How we write these

Every rule and number in these guides comes from a published source, mostly regulators, electricity networks and manufacturers, listed at the foot of each guide. Where we couldn't confirm something, we say so rather than guess. Rules change, so check the date on each guide. Our editorial policy explains how we check.

Guides

Something's not right

Why does my power keep tripping?Safety switch or breaker keeps tripping? How to find the faulty appliance, and when it's wiring.Why are my lights flickering?One light, one room or the whole street: what flickering usually means and who sorts it.Smoke alarm beeping?Chirping every minute? Find the alarm, change the battery or the alarm, and know when it's electrician work.Power out in part of the house?One room, half the house or the whole street: what to check first, and every network's faults line.Electric shocks, tingling taps and burning smellsA shock, a tingling tap or a burning smell: what to do in the first few minutes, and who to call.

Guides

Rules and paperwork

Can I do my own electrical work?Why DIY wiring is illegal in every state, the penalties, and the small jobs you're allowed to do.Electrical compliance certificatesEvery state's electrical certificate: its name, who issues it, the deadline, and what to do if it's missing.Three-phase power, explainedSingle phase vs three phase, when a home actually needs the upgrade, and how the process works.Private power polesWho owns the pole on your property, who inspects it, and what to do about a defect notice.Safety switch rules when you sell or rentSafety switch rules at sale, lease and renovation in every state, and what to do before you list.Electrical rules for landlordsWhat landlords must do in each state: electrical checks, smoke alarms, safety switches and repairs.

Guides

Choosing an electrician

How to check an electrician's licenceEvery state's licence register, which number to ask for, and the red flags before work starts.How to choose an electricianThe four checks that matter, the questions to ask, and the red flags to walk away from.Reading an electrical quoteWhat a complete electrical quote spells out, vague wording to query, and the lines people miss.

Guides

EV charging

EV charger rebates and programsThe EV charger loans and grants we could confirm in each state, and which ones have closed.

Related help

Helpful next

Why does my power keep tripping?Safety switch or breaker keeps tripping? How to find the faulty appliance, and when it's wiring.Tools and checkersLicence checks, switchboard and tripping checkers, smoke alarm rules, quote checks and EV charging times.Electrical servicesEvery electrical job we match, sorted by what's going on, so you land on the right page fast.How it worksWhat we check, what happens to your details, and what we don't do.

Where this information comes from

Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) Laws and Standards, checked 28 October 2026

Rules change, so check with your state regulator if something matters to your job. How we write and check these pages.

Get matched with a sparky