Frequently asked questions

Licensing

1. How do I obtain as licence?

Refer to the electrical forms and gas forms sections for more details and application forms.

2. Who carries out training for an electrical contractor's licence?

The Electrical Licensing Board has approved courses at CSTA (Combined Skills Training Association) and CET (College of Electrical Training).

3. How do I obtain my "A" grade electrical worker's licence on completion of my apprenticeship?

Refer to the electrical forms section for more details and application forms.

4. How do I pay my licence/permit renewal?

Refer to the electrical forms and gas forms sections for more details and application forms.

5. How do I obtain a restricted electrical licence (REL)?

Refer to the electrical forms section for more details.

6. What work can I do under my restricted electrical licence (REL)?

A person with an REL must not disconnect or reconnect to or from fixed wiring or carry out alterations to fixed wiring - this is known as electrical installing work. This means that a person with an REL cannot change an electrical water heater to a gas heater as the fixed wiring has to be altered.

7. How do I change my address?

Licence holders are obliged (MUST) to keep their address current on the register. This allows important items to be communicated to the licence holder, including licence renewals.

Address changes can be in writing, in person at the Licensing Office, EnergySafety, by facsimile to 9422 5222, by e-mail to the Licensing Office or by visiting the appropriate section on this site.

8. How do I find out if someone is licensed?

The Licensing Office (telephone number 9422 5282) can let you know if the person is a licensed electrical contractor or a licensed gas fitter. Electrical contractor's can also verify if electrical workers are licensed.

9. Who provides training for gas fitters?

Refer to the gas forms section for more details.

Electrical work

1. What type of electrical work requires a licence?

All electrical work requires a licence except as listed in regulation 19 of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. This generally means that extra low voltage (ELV - below 50 volts AC 120 volts DC - ripple free), communications work, cords and plugs work that is not for gain or reward, supply authority work or other work considered low risk because of the nature of the work or the way it is done. Refer to the electrical installation section for more details.

Gas work

1. What type of gasfitting work requires a licence?

All work of the nature of gasfitting requires a licence. Recognising that some work such as coded welding is covered by this definition requires a form of licence, an authorisation, to carry out this type of work. Refer to gas installation section for more details.

Electrical appliances

1. Do electrical appliances require approval before sale or hire?

Certain appliances require approval and will have a mark of the approving authority for legal sale/hire in Western Australia. Refer to the electrical appliance section for more details.

2. How do I get an appliance approved for sale/hire?

Refer to electrical appliance section for details on obtaining approval.

Gas appliances

1. Do gas appliances need to be approved before sale/hire?

All gas appliances must be approved before sale or hire. Refer to the gas appliances section for more details.

2. How do I get an appliance approved for sale/hire?

Refer to gas appliance section for details on obtaining approval.

Electricity supply

1. The quality of the electricity supplied to me by the electricity supplier seems to be below standard. How can this be rectified?

Contact your electricity supplier giving details of the problem and ask for it to be investigated. The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

2. The lights in my house dim at a particular time every night? What is the reason for this and how do I prevent this from happening?

This may be due to an element of electrical load (such as a swimming pool pump or domestic storage water heater) switching on with a time switch within your installation. If this seems unlikely then write to your electricity supplier giving details of the problem and ask for it to be investigated. The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

3. When there is a permanent interruption to my electricity supply, it takes a very long time for my supplier to restore supply? How can this be improved?

There could be many reasons for this but it is most common in rural areas where it often takes a considerable time for the electricity network operator's staff to travel to the area to locate and repair the fault. Please refer to the section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" which explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

4. There was a disturbance to my power supply recently when power was interrupted for a long time. Just prior to the interruption there was surge in voltage that caused damage to electronic equipment like TV, UPS, VCR, DVD, microwave oven, computer etc. When complaints were made to the supply authority, they attributed the disturbances to lightning and asked that damages be referred to the owner's insurance company. The insurance company in turn say that damages are the responsibility of the supply authority. What do I do in this situation?

There are many reasons why electronic equipment may fail and practical realities are such that a power surge due to lightning can occur and is usually beyond the control of the electricity supplier. However an independent investigation can be carried out and the section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

5. I have been having surges a few times every day on the electricity supply after which it returns to normal. One day after a similar occurrence, I found my UPS not working. The UPS manufacturer has confirmed that it has been damaged. The electricity supplier says it is the fault of the UPS.

It is possible that the UPS has been overloaded by having too much electrical load connected to it or has become overheated due to inadequate ventilation. If having checked this you feel that there are problems with the electricity supply then an independent investigation can be carried out. The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

6. There is a power pole in the street that I live that looks dangerously close to falling down. I have reported this to the supply authority many times but no action has been taken. What do I do next?

Write to your electricity supplier giving details of the problem and ask for it to be investigated. The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

7. There is a wire crossing over my street and occasionally when high vehicles pass under, they almost touch the wires above. I feel that an accident is waiting to happen and also the power supply to my house may be disrupted. I have reported this to the supply authority many times but no action has been taken. What do I do next?

8. A person received an electric shock from touching an electric pole from the ground. The pole is located close to my house and it was a fairly damp day. I fear that children in the neighbourhood may receive similar shocks, although the electricity supplier says that there is no problem. How can I be assured that it is safe?

This should be reported to the Director of Energy Safety (attention of Chief Electrical Inspector) on telephone 08 9422 5200 during normal office hours. For urgent situations (where there is a risk of injury to persons or damage to property) or in the case of an accident, reports can be made at any time on Freecall 1800 678 198. Refer to report incidents section on this site for more details.

9. There is a huge power line running opposite my house. The residents in my street including myself have made several representations to the supply authority about the detrimental effects from electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to these power lines. As a consequence of recent reports in the newspapers and TV about the adverse health effects due to EMFs, we wish to persuade the supply authority to remove or relocate these power lines or put them underground. Will EnergySafety support us in this regard?

If there is a risk to health related to the EMF produced by power lines, then it is so small that epidemiological studies have not been able to quantify it with confidence. Power lines are designed and constructed in WA to very conservative standards which are well within the criteria for EMF levels laid down by national and international health authorities.

If you would like further information on EMF, please contact the electricity network operator in the first instance. You may also contact the Director of Energy Safety (attention of the Principal Engineer Electricity Supply) whose address can be obtained from the section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA".

10. There is a power pole opposite my house which is infested with termites. This pole may fall down and be a safety hazard. How can I get this attended to?

Write to your electricity supplier giving details of the problem and ask for it to be investigated The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

11. I have noticed that children/vandals in certain areas engage in the practice of climbing pole stay wires, meddle with underground pillars and sometimes even remove pit covers etc. Are these dangerous practices and, if so, can the supply authority take some preventive action?

Contact your electricity supplier as a matter of urgency giving details of the problem and ask for it to be investigated. Confirm your request in writing. The section on this website "Information for Electricity Consumers in WA" explains the criteria and procedures for investigations into complaints about electricity supply quality and reliability.

12. The supply authority is unfairly requesting me to pay for their cutting branches of trees that are in my garden but are supposedly close to powerlines. I do not believe this is my responsibility. Can you please tell me what my rights are and whether the supply authority can insist on payment?

The electricity network operator will normally arrange for trees growing on public road reserves to be pruned to ensure that they do not clash with live overhead conductors. Certain minimum safety clearances have to be maintained and as overhead conductors may on occasions come close to the boundaries of private property then trees on that property may have to be pruned. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that the trees are pruned.

13. I am engaged in tree cutting work as a private contractor servicing residential and small business customers. I use an uninsulated cherry picker. Is this allowable and if so how close can I get to low voltage and high voltage power lines? Am I permitted to cut only vegetation that is within a certain distance from power lines?

You must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1988. In addition, you must be trained in accordance with, and comply with, the Code of Practice for Personnel Electrical Safety for Vegetation Control Work Near Live Power Lines issued by the Director of Energy Safety.

14. I need to get some branches of trees in my garden pruned, as the supply authority has notified me to do so. Can you recommend an accredited tree-pruning contractor?

We are unable to recommend a tree-pruning contractor. It is recommended that you ensure that whoever you employ carries appropriate public liability insurance and is trained in accordance with the Code of Practice for Personnel Electrical Safety for Vegetation Control Work Near Live Power Lines issued by the Director of Energy Safety.

The Tree Guild of WA Inc is approved by the Director of Energy Safety (in accordance with regulation 316A of the Electricity Act Regulations 1947) to provide training and should be able to advise you whether a person is appropriately trained and insured.

15. I want to connect a small solar power system on to the electricity grid via my home power supply. I have contacted the supply authority but am not satisfied with their conditions for connection. I want to clarify what my rights are and if there are any national or state standards in this regard.

Information can be obtained from the Principal Engineer Electricity Supply at this office by telephoning 08 9422 5200.

16. I have contacted the supply authority and the local council about the maintenance of streetlight poles and replacement of lamps in my area. I am not yet certain about the responsibility of the two parties mentioned, as they seem to be putting the onus each other. Can you please clarify this?

The electricity network operator usually operates and maintains suburban street lighting facilities under an agreement made with the local government authority (that is, Shire, City or Town Council) but some street lighting schemes are operated by the authority concerned. Street lighting problems should be referred to the local government authority as the body ultimately responsible.

17. I want to get a street lamp fitted in my street where there is a dark spot, which is potentially dangerous as it is an intersection for pedestrians and vehicles. Who do I need to contact?

Provision of suburban street lighting is the responsibility of the local government authority (that is, Shire, City or Town Council), which should be contacted with a request for the installation of additional lighting.