FAQs

General

Who needs to hold an Electrical Workers Licence?

An Electrical Workers Licence must be held by persons who carry out electrical work on electrical installations or equipment that operates at voltages in excess of 32 volts alternating current and 115 volts direct current.

I am an Electrical Trades Assistant. What electrical work can I undertake?

Electrical Trades Assistants can assist an electrical tradesman to install equipment like conduit, cable and cable tray, etc. However they cannot do any 'electrical work' such as terminate or install wiring equipment, etc.

Do I need a licence to work on a remote rural property that generates its own power?

Yes. The Electrical Workers and Contractors Act requires all electrical work in the Northern Territory be carried out by suitably licenced persons.

Mutual Recognition

I have a current licence from another state can I work under this licence in the Northern Territory?

No. To work in the Northern Territory you must hold a current Northern Territory licence.

How can I change my licence from another State to a Northern Territory licence?

Application under mutual recognition is the simplest method. Licences from all Australian States and Territories including New Zealand can be recognised this way.

Mutual recognition application forms  PDF (125.0 KB) can be downloaded from this website, obtained from any of the Territory Business Centres or by contacting the Board's office.

What is mutual recognition?

Mutual Recognition is a Commonwealth law that compels all States and Territories to recognise licences across state borders. This means that if you hold a current licence in one state or territory then you are entitled to an equivalent licence in any other state or territory.

How soon can I start work after applying for a licence under mutual recognition?

As soon as a completed application form is lodged you can start work. The Mutual Recognition Act allows you to work for 28 days under deemed registration based on your application. In this time the Board will check the application details and either issue or reject the application. Acceptance will result in a licence being forwarded to you. However should you be notified the application has been rejected then you must cease work immediately.

Apprentices

How do I become an apprentice?

Contact the Australian Apprenticeships NT for further information on  enrolling under a training contract.

I am an Apprentice Systems  Electrician. What electrical work can I undertake?

Electrical Apprentices registered with the Board must work  under direct supervision PDF (144.0 KB) for the  first 3800 hours (approximately 2 years) of their apprenticeship and then under general supervision PDF (144.0 KB) for the rest of  their time. Alternatively they may work on an electrical article or  installation that is physically isolated from supply. In short, 'physically isolated'  means supply cannot be connected by a switch or similar device, by insertion of  a fuse, link etc. or by reconnection of a wire, cable etc. for example on new  premises that have not yet had a service installed.

Restricted Electrical Workers

Who can hold a Restricted Electrical licence?

Any person who is required to perform a limited scope of electrical work in the  course of their main occupation can apply for a Restricted Electrical Licence.  A competency-based course must be completed before a licence can be issued.

I am a qualified Refrigeration/Air  conditioning Mechanic. What sort of work can I undertake?

Suitably qualified Refrigeration/Air conditioning Mechanics are eligible to  apply for a Restricted Electrical Licence, which would allow them to maintain  refrigeration/air conditioning equipment. Refrigeration mechanics cannot carry  out any electrical installation wiring PDF (133.7 KB).

Electrical Workers

I hold a B Grade licence, what  electrical work can I undertake?

A B Grade licence holder can undertake the same work as an A Grade licence  holder, except he has to be under the general supervision of an A Grade  Mechanic.

Where do I buy the AS3000 Wiring Rules  book?

Contact Territory Construction Association, the agents for Standards Australia in the Northern Territory, on Tel: (08)  8922 9666.

Why do I need to prove skills  maintenance?

The main reason for licensing is to ensure the safety of electrical workers and  the community. With the removal of third party inspections and the introduction  of the AS 3000 requirement for all electricians to test their own work before  connection, it is now imperative that electricians maintain their skills and  keep abreast of current installation requirements. Therefore skills maintenance PDF (59.2 KB) is an important  obligation for all members of the industry.

I have a current Electrical Fitters  Licence, can I upgrade it to an Electrical Mechanics Licence and if so what do  I have to do?

Yes an Electrical Fitters licence can be upgraded PDF (104.8 KB) to an Electrical Mechanics licence. To do this an application must be lodged  with the Board requesting the upgrade. On successful assessment of the application PDF (164.9 KB) the Board will issue a  permit allowing the applicant to gain 12 months installation work experience  under the supervision of an A Grade Electrical Mechanic. Along with the work  experience the applicant is required to pass a Capstone test, after which the applicant  is eligible for the mechanics endorsement.

Contractors

What is electrical contracting?

Electrical Contracting PDF (83.4 KB) is when electrical services are contracted for, or carried out for a fee or  reward.

Is a 'subbie' a contractor?

Yes, anyone who sub-contracts to a main contractor for  electrical jobs rather than working in a PAYG employer/employee relationship is  contracting and must hold, or be a nominee on, an Electrical Contractors  Licence.

What is a 'nominee' on a contractors licence?

A nominee is a suitably qualified person (Electrical  Mechanic) who is the person nominated as being responsible to ensure that the  work is supervised and carried out in a compliant manner. He is the technical  manager on the licence.

What are the responsibilities of a nominee on an Electrical  Contractors Licence?

The nominees' responsibilities include ensuring that the  electrical workers are suitably trained and equipped to do the work they are  allocated. They are responsible for the adequate design and execution of the  work, including the supply of the correct materials. They are responsible for  ensuring the work is tested and left in a safe, compliant condition.

What is a sole trader?

A sole trader is an electrician who is authorised to  contract with the public for the performance of electrical work. A sole trader  must contract in his own name or registered trading name only. He/she cannot  use a company name as a trading name for the sole traders contractor licence.

Can I be a nominee on more than one Contractors Licence?

No. The Board policy does not allow a person to be a nominee  on more than one Contractors Licence at any one time.

Our Nominee has left the business. Do we have a grace period  to replace the Nominee?

No. A contracting business must always have at least one  nominee.

Why does a Contractor have to maintain a register of  employee's details?

It is a legal requirement under section 50B of the Electrical  Workers and Contractors Act. The Register  of Employees PDF (268.2 KB) enables the Contractor to evidence who was employed by the  company and when, in the case of an investigation. It also provides a  management tool for Contractors to ensure that licence holders are working  within their own licence category ie. an electrical fitter is not carrying out  installation work. It also helps the contractor to ensure his employees are not  working unlicenced and thereby avoiding disciplinary action by the Board under  sections 53 and 54 of the Act.

Why do I need to be an A Grade Electrical Mechanic to be a  nominee?

An A Grade Electrical Mechanics Licence is an unrestricted  licence and the only licence that allows the holder to carry out all types of  electrical installation work. Therefore it is the only licence category  acceptable to be responsible for all the technical requirements of electrical  installation work on behalf of the contractor.

Why do I have to hold my Electrical  Mechanics Licence for two years before I am eligible to apply for an Electrical  Contractors Licence?

The two-year period is designed to allow the holder time to  gain experience in both carrying out and supervising the work and supervision  of workers.