VPN - New Compliance Certification Regime for Electrical Work

New Compliance Certification Regime for Electrical Work

Following the introduction of the Electricity Safety Act 1998, a mandatory compliance certifications scheme for electrical wiring work conducted by qualified electricians will be introduced this year. Similar schemes already exist in the Victorian plumbing and gas-fitting industries. The main features of the scheme are as follows:

Electricians will be required to issue a signed certificate of electrical safety to the customer and to the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI) certifying that their work complies with the regulations. Certificates may be purchased from the OCEI.

The OCEI will audit all workers to ensure safety standards are maintained. The cost of auditing will be financed by certificate sales. Certificates will sell for around $5 for minor and around $20 for more complex work. A special certificate for ongoing commercial and industrial electrical work (such as a factory) will cost around $500 and last for three months. Suitably qualified electricians may apply to be licensed as inspectors, with a ‘strategic’ and competitive approach to inspection encouraged.

A major public awareness campaign will be run by the OCEI to inform and encourage customers to request a compliance certificate whenever they have electrical wiring work done.

A ‘user pays’ approach to the system means consumers will contribute directly to the cost of the scheme. The overall cost to the community of electrical inspection activity is expected to be reduced as certain electricity distribution company inspection charges are eliminated.

The OCEI will be conducting a number of seminars throughout Victoria to explain the new arrangements to industry personnel. Further information is available from the OCEI on 9203 9700 or 9203 9720 and the Department of Treasury & Finance on 9651 3653.

(Office of the Treasurer, August 1998)