Registered electrical contractors

Any person in the business of electrical contracting or offering to contract must be registered as an electrical contractor.

Application for registration as an electrical contractor

A registration may be issued or renewed subject to any conditions that Energy Safe Victoria thinks fit, including a condition that it applies to only one class of electrical work. The registration continues, unless sooner suspended, cancelled or surrendered, for a period of up to 1 year specified in the registration commencing on the date of the issue of the registration or the renewal of the registration.

Applying for registration

There are 3 types of registrations available as a Registered Electrical Contractor:

Sole Trader
A Sole Trader application is a person who will be working alone. He/she will be the technical supervisor, and therefore will hold a current Electricians License (A Class).  He/she will have also undertaken the Registered Electrical Contractors Course through a local TAFE college or will have an appropriate business nominee (accountant), who will ensure that the business in run in a satisfactory manner.

A Sole Trader can hold a business name, should it be required.

Partnership
A partnership application is when two persons are wishing to be a Registered Electrical Contractor. Either one or both persons will be the technical supervisors, and therefore will hold a current Electrician’s License (A Class). Either will have also undertaken the Registered Electrical Contractors Course through a local TAFE college or will have an appropriate business nominee (accountant), who will ensure that the business in run in a satisfactory manner.

A Partnership can also hold a business name, should it be required.

Corporation
A Corporation application is required when the applicant is applying for a company registration.

This is usually an option for larger organisations, where the technical supervisors are numerous and the business nominee can be a senior financial or administrative officer within the organisation, with the appropriately deemed qualifications in business management.

In all application types a Technical Supervisor must be in place, and the appropriate consent declarations and qualification requirements must be met.

What do I need to be a Registered Electrical Contractor?

Technical Supervisor
Someone who holds a current Electrician’s License (A Class), and who has completed the Licensed Electrician’s Assessment (LEA) or previously the Licensed Electrical Mechanics (LEM) assessment.

Business Nominee
Someone who has undertaken the Registered Electrical Contractor’s Course with their local TAFE college, and has successfully completed this course. OR
Someone who has relevant business administration and management experience, with relevant qualifications, who ESV deems as qualified to act in the role of Business Nominee.

Civil Liability Insurance
Contractor must hold current civil liability insurance (minimum cover $5M) against personal injury and/or damage to property in connection with the electrical contracting work of the applicant or their employees or agents.

If you are registering a business name, the insurance should be registered as XYZ trading ABC Electrics, and in the case of a partnership both partners should be named. Accordingly, if you are registering a Company, the insurance should refer the company name.

What paperwork am I required to provide to ESV?

Sole Trader
    - ESV Application Form
    - Business & Technical Nominee Consent Forms
    - Copy of Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency
    - Copy of Business Name Certificate (if applicable)
    - Copy of LEA or LEM Certificate


Partnership
    - Application Form
    - Business & Technical Nominee Consent Forms
    - Copy of Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency
    - Copy of Business Name Certificate (if applicable)
    - Copy of LEA or LEM Certificate

Corporation
    - Application Form
    - Business & Technical Nominee Consent Forms
    - Copy of Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency
    - Copy of Business Name Certificate (if applicable)
    - Copy of LEA or LEM Certificate
    - ASIC Extract of Directors & Secretary
    - Copy of Certificate of Company Name
    - Letter from person authorized to make application on behalf of a Corporation, if the applicant is not a Director or Secretary of the Company

Fees
The application fee is $240 for a one year period, which includes a $70 non-refundable application fee, and must be paid at the time the application for registration is submitted.


Renewing your registration as an electrical contractor

The ESV will forward a renewal notice to your last known address at least 2 months prior to the expiry date of the current registration. It is, however, your responsibility to ensure your registration is kept up to date at all times.

The renewal fee is $170 for a one year period.

Exemptions from registration

Registration as an electrical contractor is not required in the following circumstances:
  • An employer employs licensed personnel on a continuous basis to carry out electrical installation work only on the premises owned or occupied by the employer
  • A person is engaged in a contract and the part of the contract relating to electrical installation work is sub-contracted to a registered electrical contractor
  • A person who holds an electrician's license who undertakes to carry out electrical installation work from time to time for no financial return and on a gratuitous basis
  • A person who holds the appropriate Disconnect/Reconnect License, contracts or undertakes to carry out electrical work permitted under that license
  • A person who holds an Occupier's License undertakes to carry out electrical installation work permitted under that license.

Your responsibilities as an Registered Electrical Contractor

As a Registered Electrical Contractor, it is your responsibility to understand the legislation and regulations in place at any time and work in accordance with them:
  • Part 3 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998; and
  • Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 1999.
  • Ensure that Certificates of Electrical Safety are issued and completed
  • Ensure that workers which hold supervisory licenses are suitably supervised throughout the course of their duties
  • Ensure that the details of your technical and business nominees remain correct with ESV at all times.
  • Maintain a workers list of all licensed workers, who are employed by you as a Registered Electrical Contractor.
ESV Logo
© Copyright ESV 2009