Short answer: In NSW, anyone doing electrical wiring work must hold an electrical licence, whatever the size of the job. Check it in a minute on Service NSW’s Check a builder or tradesperson licence tool: search by name or licence number and confirm it’s current and covers electrical work. Then make sure you get a written quote (a written contract for jobs over $5,000), pay no more than a 10% deposit, and receive a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) after the job.
Hiring an electrician should be simple, but unlicensed work, vague quotes and missing paperwork cause real problems for homeowners. This guide shows you how to check a licence, what paperwork NSW law requires, and the questions worth asking before anyone starts work.
Why the licence matters
According to the NSW Government, you need an electrical licence or certificate to do any electrical wiring work in NSW, regardless of the cost and regardless of whether it’s residential, commercial or industrial. Doing electrical wiring work without one is a breach of the Home Building Act 1989, and individuals can be fined up to $22,000.
Licensed work also matters for you:
- it’s tested and certified
- it should meet AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules)
- insurers may ask about it if there’s ever a fire or claim
- it protects you if something goes wrong and you need to make a complaint
How to check an electrician’s licence on Service NSW
- Go to Service NSW’s Check a builder or tradesperson licence page, which opens the Verify NSW register.
- Search by the person’s name, their licence number, or the business details.
- Check the licence is current (not expired, suspended or cancelled).
- Check it covers electrical work.
- Check the name matches the person or business you’re dealing with.
The NSW Government also advises making sure the electrician who turns up is the licence holder, or is working under the licence holder’s supervision. If you’re dealing with a company, check the company’s contractor licence and ask who the qualified supervisor is.
Blue Link Electrical Services’ NSW licence number is 332956C. You’re welcome to look it up.
Licence types in plain English
NSW has several electrical licence types, according to the NSW Government:
- Contractor licence (individual, company or partnership): needed to contract for, or advertise, electrical work
- Qualified supervisor certificate: allows someone to do and supervise electrical work, working for a licensed contractor
- Provisional tradesperson certificate: for some overseas-trained electricians while they complete requirements
Apprentices can work under supervision but don’t hold their own licence.
What about Level 2 work?
Work on the connection between the electricity network and your property, such as overhead or underground service mains, consumer mains upgrades, meter work and connecting new supply, needs an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) Level 2. This is a separate accreditation from an electrical licence. The NSW Government’s ASP Scheme page explains it. Blue Link isn’t Level 2 accredited. A good electrician will tell you upfront if part of your job needs a Level 2 ASP.
Quotes, contracts and deposits
NSW Fair Trading rules on home building contracts apply to residential electrical work:
| Job value | What you should get |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | No written contract is legally required, but a written quote or confirmation is still smart |
| Over $5,000 to $20,000 | A written contract (a small jobs contract) |
| Over $20,000 | A full written contract, and a home building compensation certificate before you pay anything |
The maximum deposit is 10%. Be wary of anyone asking for a large payment upfront, or cash only with no paperwork.
The CCEW: your proof the work was tested
After electrical installation work, the electrician must test it and submit a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal no later than 7 days after completing the work, according to the NSW Government. This applies even to like-for-like replacements such as ovens, cooktops and power points.
You can ask for a copy. If your email is added to the CCEW, the system sends it to you automatically. Keep it with your home records. It’s often needed for warranties and can help when you sell.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What’s your licence number? (Then check it.)
- Are you insured? (Ask about public liability insurance.)
- Will you be doing the work yourself, or someone else?
- Is the quote fixed, or hourly? What’s included and excluded?
- What happens if you find another problem once you start?
- Will you lodge a CCEW and send me a copy?
- Does any part of the job need Level 2 work?
- What warranty do you give on workmanship and parts?
Red flags
- no licence number, or a number that doesn’t match their name on Verify NSW
- reluctance to put the price in writing
- a deposit of more than 10%, or cash-only with no receipt
- “we don’t need a certificate for this”
- pressure to decide on the spot
- offering to “just bypass” a safety switch that keeps tripping
Making a complaint
If something goes wrong, raise it with the electrician first and keep everything in writing. If that doesn’t fix it, NSW Fair Trading can help with complaints about home building work, including electrical work.
Looking for a licensed local electrician? Blue Link Electrical Services (NSW licence 332956C) works across the Inner West, from Hurlstone Park and Dulwich Hill to Leichhardt and Balmain. See our residential electrical services, or call 0421 772 661.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in NSW?
Use Service NSW’s Check a builder or tradesperson licence tool, which searches the Verify NSW register. Search by name or licence number, and check the licence is current and covers electrical work.
Do small electrical jobs need a licensed electrician in NSW?
Yes. Any electrical wiring work needs a licence, regardless of cost. That includes replacing a power point or light switch.
What is a CCEW?
A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. Your electrician must submit it within 7 days of finishing and testing electrical installation work. You can ask for a copy.
How much deposit can an electrician ask for in NSW?
For residential building work covered by the Home Building Act, the maximum deposit is 10% of the contract price.