Electricians in Western AustraliaEC for the business, EW for the electrician.

Who licenses electricians in WA?

Building and Energy, part of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, regulates electrical safety, and the Electrical Licensing Board issues the licences. All electrical work must be done by someone holding the relevant licence, and a contracting business must employ licensed electricians.

Running or advertising an electrical contracting business without a contractor's licence is an offence. Unless another penalty is set, offences under the licensing regulations carry fines of up to $50,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a company.

Your Electrical Safety Certificate

For installing work, apart from maintenance and like-for-like replacement, the contractor must give you a copy within 28 days of finishing, and only a licensed electrical contractor can issue one. If it doesn't turn up, ask the contractor, and if it still doesn't come, tell your network operator, which in most areas is Western Power or Horizon Power. The form asks whether every power point and lighting circuit is protected by at least two RCDs (safety switches).

Selling or renting: RCDs and smoke alarms

Before title transfers on a sale, RCDs must protect every circuit supplying power points and lights, with two as the minimum. Landlords need them in the switchboard too, and short-stay rentals need them before guests arrive. Building and Energy recommends pressing the test button every three months.

Smoke alarms must comply before a home changes hands or is rented out: working, permanently connected to mains power, and no more than 10 years old. Battery-only alarms are allowed only where mains wiring can't be run, such as under a concrete ceiling, and need a non-removable 10-year battery. Multiple alarms must be interconnected, unless the home's building permit application predates 1 May 2015. Only a licensed electrical contractor can connect mains alarms. See smoke alarm laws in WA.