For tradies who come into regular contact with electrical appliances throughout their workday, but aren't sparkies themselves, a restricted electrical licence may be key to safely and legally providing your services. It proves you understand how to engage with electricity safely. These licenses will be directly related to your trade, for example, a restricted electrical licence is necessary for:
- Plumbers working on hot water systems.
- HVAC technicians needing to connect or disconnect air conditioners.
- Gasfitters servicing household and commercial gas appliances.
Looking for information about full electrical licences in Australia? Try: How to Get an Electrical Licence in Australia.
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- Types of restricted electrical licences in Australia
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (NSW)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (VIC)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (QLD)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (SA)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (TAS)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (NT)
- What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (WA)
1. Types of restricted electrical licences in Australia
A restricted electrical licence allows tradies to legally work with electricity in a restricted scope. Each type of restricted electrical licence will allow a tradesperson to safely perform a specific action, e.g. work may be limited to HVAC equipment or a type of product. In some cases, a person may be eligible for more than one type of restricted electrical licence. In some cases, you may be eligible for a restricted electrical licence in Australia based on three years of work in a relevant field, even if you do not have a recognised qualification or trade.
What do I need to study before I can get my restricted electrical licence in Australia?
To apply for a restricted electrical license, applicants must successfully finish the units of competency required for their desired type of restricted electrical license. Their application will also include:
- A completion statement from the Registered Training Office
- A statement of attainment (results) issued by the Registered Training Office
The codes below refer to specific units of competency within Australia's vocational training system. These units are standardised courses across Australia and prove you're ready for a particular type of trade work!
To apply for a restricted electrical licence, the units must have been completed within three years of application. If it's been more than three years, you may need to complete a skills maintenance assessment. This assessment is free and can be completed online or by submitting a paper-based copy. The ESO will advise applicants if the skills maintenance assessment is required.
Types of restricted electrical licenses in Australia.
Appliance Servicing and Repair
- Eligibility criteria: UEE32120 - Certificate III in Appliance Service
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002
Electrical Equipment Limited to 250Vac (Plug-in Only)
- Eligibility criteria: Restrictions on the scope of work or employer will be applied (e.g., limited to coffee equipment). Three years experience in service/repairs of commercial equipment, domestic appliances, or equipment specific to an employer. Employer support is required.
- Required Units: UEECD0007, UEERL0005, UEERL0001
Electronic Equipment Limited to 250Vac
- Eligibility criteria: Restrictions on the scope of work or employer may be applied (e.g., limited to business and office equipment). Qualifications like UEE30920 - Certificate III in Electronics and Communications or equivalent.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002 required to remove 250V restriction
Electronic Equipment Limited to 250Vac (Limited to Medical Equipment)
- Eligibility criteria: Bachelor’s degree in medical/biomedical engineering or approved equivalent.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002
Electrical Machine Repair
- Eligibility criteria: UEE30620 - Certificate III in Electrical Machine Repair, Trade certificate in armature winding
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002
Electric Motors (Disconnect/Reconnect Only)
- Eligibility criteria: Mechanical/diesel fitter, or motor mechanic/auto electrician with two years experience in mechanical fitting work, Employer support required.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004.
Fire Protection Control Equipment Limited to 250Vac
- Eligibility criteria: UEE31020 - Certificate III in Fire Protection Control, Current QBCC licence.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002 required to remove 250V restriction.
Gas Appliances/Equipment Limited to 250Vac
- Eligibility criteria: Current State issued gas installer/fitter licence, Current State issued Gas Work Authority, Employer support required.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002 required to remove 250V restriction.
HV Propulsion Components (Disconnect/Reconnect Only)
- Eligibility criteria: Qualified auto electrician or diesel fitter with two years of experience with HV propulsion.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0007.
Instrumentation and Process Control Devices (Disconnect/Reconnect Only)
- Eligibility criteria: UEE31220 - Certificate III in Electrotechnology - Instrumentation and Control, Trade certificate in instrumentation.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004.
Instrumentation and Process Control Devices
- Eligibility criteria: UEE31220 - Certificate III in Electrotechnology - Instrumentation and Control, Trade certificate in instrumentation.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment
- Eligibility criteria: UEE32220 - Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, MEM31322 - Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Trade certificate as a refrigeration mechanic.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001, UEERL0002.
Water Heaters Limited to 250Vac
- Eligibility criteria: Current State issued plumber’s licence.
- Required units: UEECD0007, UEERL0004, UEERL0005, UEERL0001.
2. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (NSW)
In New South Wales, a restricted electrical licence allows you to:
- Change light fixtures.
- Install power points.
- Repair or replace equipment.
- Disconnect and reconnect power to motors connected to low-voltage wiring.
- Disconnect and reconnect power to hot water systems, water pumps, or
combination gas/electric ovens.
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (NSW)
To get a restricted electrical licence in NSW, you need to:
- Have a verified need to conduct electrical work in your trade.
- Complete relevant courses qualifying you in your trade.
- Apply through NSW Fair Trading.
3. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (VIC)
In Victoria, the Restricted Electrical Worker’s Licence (REL) entitles you to perform low-voltage electrical disconnect and reconnect work related to:
- Equipment connected to a fixed electrical installation.
- Primary trades, vocations, or occupations that require the services of a Registered Electrical Contractor or a licensed electrician.
- Class 1 REL (Fault Finding):
- Disconnection of electrical equipment.
- Reconnection of electrical equipment.
- Testing and fault-finding.
- Class 2 REL (Disconnect/Reconnect):
- Similar to Class 1 but without fault finding.
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (VIC)
To get a restricted electrical licence in Victoria you will need to:
- Complete relevant courses and assessments.
- Provide evidence of need. This can be through an employer letter or self-reference and proof of business records if you are self-employed.
- Apply through Energy Safe Victoria.
4. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (QLD)
With a restricted electrical licence in Queensland, you can:
- Replace flexible cords and plugs.
- Test isolation before connection or disconnection.
- Disconnect and reconnect electrical wiring equipment.
- Replace electrically operated equipment with identical equipment.
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (QLD)
To get a restricted electrical licence in Queensland you will need to:
- Have a Certificate III qualification or higher, or three years’ experience in a relevant trade job.
- Complete relevant training. See specific course requirements above.
- Apply through the Electrical Safety Office.
5. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (SA)
In South Australia, a restricted electrical licence allows you to:
- Disconnect and reconnect commercial or industrial electrical equipment under supervision.
- Identifying the point of isolation.
- Isolating equipment.
- Disconnecting the equipment.
- Determination of the electrical characteristics of the equipment.
- Selecting the replacement equipment.
- Reconnecting the equipment.
- Testing the equipment for operation and safety.
You cannot install, alter, repair, or maintain fixed wiring with a restricted electrical licence in South Australia.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (SA)
To get a restricted electrical licence in South Australia you must:
6. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (TAS)
In Tasmania, a restricted electrical licence allows you to carry out:
- Limited electrical work related to refrigeration and air conditioning, depending on your licence type.
- Work on motors, control devices, gas appliances, and other composite equipment, depending on your licence type.
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (TAS)
To get a restricted electrical licence in Tasmania:
- Complete approved training relevant to the licence type.
- Provide evidence of a current qualification, trade, or calling relevant to the licence type.
- Submit a written statement from your employer (or a statutory declaration if self-employed).
- Apply through Consumer, Building and Occupational Services TAS.
7. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (NT)
In the Northern Territory, a restricted electrical licence allows you to:
- Perform low-voltage electrical work related to your primary trade, such as gas equipment, plumbing, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (NT)
To get a restricted electrical licence in the Northern Territory:
8. What can you do with a restricted electrical licence (WA)
In Western Australia, a restricted electrical licence allows you to:
- Disconnect and reconnect composite equipment and motors up to 1000V on a like-for-like basis.
- Test electrical equipment for safe operation.
- Electrical work (including testing) associated with or for the holder’s trade or calling, with the relevant licence type.
A restricted electrical licence in Western Australia does not authorise installing or altering fixed wiring!
The type of work you can engage in will be determined by your trades and restricted electrical licence type.
How to get a restricted electrical licence (WA)
To get a restricted electrical licence in Western Australia, you will need to:
- Complete a nationally accredited course.
- Provide detailed answers in the application form.
- Complete both theoretical and practical training.
- Apply through Building and Energy WA.
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