When a licensed electrician finishes a job at your place, the paperwork doesn't stop at the invoice. In most of Australia the electrician also has to certify that the work was tested and is safe. That piece of paper (or, more and more often, an email) is a compliance certificate, and it's worth knowing what yours should look like.
The name changes from state to state. In Victoria it's a Certificate of Electrical Safety. In New South Wales it's a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. Queensland and Western Australia use their own names again. This guide explains the main ones, with links to the official sources, so you know what to ask for. Rules change, so check your state regulator for the current position.
Why the certificate matters
A compliance certificate is the electrician's formal statement that the work they did has been tested and meets the rules. It's useful to you in a few ways:
- Proof the work was done properly. It records who did the work, what they did, when they tested it and their licence number.
- Warranties. The NSW Government notes that a certificate is often needed for warranty purposes on the electrical item that was installed.
- Selling, renting or insuring. A future buyer, landlord, insurer or the next electrician may want to see what was done and by whom.
- A paper trail if something goes wrong. If you later find a fault, the certificate tells you and the regulator who was responsible.
If an electrician tells you a certificate "isn't needed" for wiring work, ask why, and check with your state regulator.
Victoria: Certificate of Electrical Safety
Energy Safe Victoria's guide to Certificates of Electrical Safety describes the certificate as a legal document issued by a registered electrical contractor or licensed electrician to record the electrical work they performed. Copies go to the customer and to Energy Safe.
There are two kinds:
- Non-prescribed certificates cover minor work, such as power points, lights and safety switches inside the home, where the power can be switched off at the switchboard. This work doesn't need an inspection.
- Prescribed certificates cover major work, such as consumer mains cables, the main switchboard, the meter box, the main earthing system, and solar or battery systems.
Prescribed work must be inspected by an independent Licensed Electrical Inspector, and your electrician organises this. Energy Safe says the work can't be turned on, or left on, until it has been inspected. It also says you should get your copy of the certificate within four days of it being completed after the inspection. Energy Safe suggests checking that the inspector who signed the certificate actually came to your property.
If someone else hired the electrician for you, such as a landlord, agent or builder, Energy Safe says you can ask them or Energy Safe for a copy.
New South Wales: Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW)
The NSW Government's electrical compliance requirements page says electricians must lodge a CCEW with Building Commission NSW to show the work has been tested and complies with the regulations and standards. The person who did the testing must submit it as soon as practical, and no later than seven days after the test.
From 1 July 2026, the same page says every CCEW must be lodged through the BCNSW eCert portal, and handwritten and PDF forms are no longer accepted. The easiest way to get your copy is to give the electrician your email address. The NSW consumer rights page on electrical safety explains that the system emails the customer a copy automatically when it's lodged, and that you can ask the electrician for a copy if you need one.
If you rent, the NSW Government's electrical safety in the home page says tenants must give a copy of the CCEW to the property owner or their agent.
Queensland: certificates of testing
WorkSafe Queensland's page on issuing certificates of compliance explains there are two certificates. A certificate of testing and compliance is for electrical installation work. A certificate of testing and safety is for work on electrical equipment.
Either way, the electrical contractor must give it to you as soon as possible after the work. It must include your name and address, what was tested, the date of the test and the contractor's licence number. WorkSafe says the details can appear on the invoice, as long as all the required information is there. Contractors must keep a copy for five years, but it's still worth keeping your own.
Western Australia: Electrical Safety Certificate
The WA Government's having electrical work done brochure says that for electrical installing work, the electrical contractor must give the customer an Electrical Safety Certificate within 28 days of completing the work. Maintenance and like-for-like replacements are excluded. Only a licensed electrical contractor can issue one.
Other states and territories
South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory each have their own certificate and lodgement rules. Ask your electrician which certificate applies to your job and when you'll receive it, or check with your local electrical safety regulator.
Plumbing and gas work usually come with their own compliance paperwork too, separate from the electrical certificate. If a job involves more than one trade, such as a new hot water system or a kitchen renovation, ask each tradie what certificate they'll provide.
What to check on your certificate
When it arrives, take a minute to check:
- Your address and name are correct.
- The description matches the job. A vague line like "electrical work" isn't much use later.
- The licence number matches the electrician or contractor you hired. Look it up on your state register. Our guides to checking an electrician's licence in NSW, Victoria and Queensland show how.
- The test date lines up with when the work was done.
Then file it with your other house papers. A digital folder with the certificate, invoice and quote makes life easier when you sell, claim on a warranty or book the next job.
Ask about it before the job starts
The simplest way to avoid chasing paperwork is to raise it upfront. When you compare quotes, ask each electrician which certificate they'll issue and how you'll get it. Bigger jobs, such as a switchboard upgrade, may also involve an inspection or the network operator, which can affect timing.
If you need a licensed electrician, you can search the electricians directory or browse by area, such as electricians in Melbourne, and contact local businesses directly.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I get a compliance certificate for changing a light globe?
No. Changing a globe isn't electrical wiring work. Certificates are for work done by a licensed electrician, such as installing power points, lights, circuits or switchboards. Some minor repairs and like-for-like replacements are treated differently depending on the state, so ask your electrician.
What if my electrician doesn't give me a certificate?
Ask them for it first, and give them your email address. If you still don't receive it, contact your state's electrical safety regulator. In Victoria you can also ask Energy Safe whether a certificate was lodged for your property.
Is the certificate the same as a warranty?
No. The certificate confirms the work was tested and meets the rules at the time. Warranties on workmanship and products are separate, though a manufacturer may ask for the certificate before honouring a warranty claim.
Do landlords need electrical certificates?
When a landlord or agent arranges electrical work, the certificate usually goes to them as the customer. Tenants can ask the landlord or agent for a copy. Separate rental safety check rules apply in some states, so check your state's rental authority.
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.