proposed licence categories, associated regulated work and the eligibility requirements. Chapter 3 contains the full description of the proposed licensing model for the electrical occupations, which includes the exclusions from the meaning of regulated work, qualification requirements and personal and financial probity requirements for all licence categories, and classes of persons exempt from licensing. Table ES.2: Overview of the preferred model for the electrical occupations Category Regulated work Qualification level Personal and financial probity Electrician Electrical work means (a) assembling, constructing, installing, testing, commissioning, maintaining, repairing, altering or replacing an electrical installation; or (b) verifying electrical installations. Certificate III Personal probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has, within the previous 5 years, been convicted of an offence under section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law or a provision of a corresponding prior Act that corresponds to section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law. Financial probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has failed to pay a penalty, fine or other amount required to be paid under the National Law or a prescribed law. . Electrical fitter Electrical fitting work means assembling, manufacturing, modifying, repairing, replacing, testing or verifying electrical equipment. Certificate III Persona probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has, within the previous 5 years, been convicted of an offence under section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law or a provision of a corresponding prior Act that corresponds to section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law. Financial probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has failed to pay a penalty, fine or other amount required to be paid under the National Law or a prescribed law. Electrical line worker Electrical linework means assembling, erecting, installing, stringing, inspecting, maintaining, altering, repairing or replacing an electric line or associated equipment. Certificate III Personal probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has, within the previous 5 years, been convicted of an offence under section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law or a provision of a corresponding prior Act that corresponds to section 9, 10 or 11 of the National Law. Financial probity NOLA must have regard to: whether the person has failed to pay a penalty, fine or other amount required to be paid under the National Law or a prescribed
Overview of the preferred option The first part of this chapter provides a high-level overview of the preferred national licensing option and the proposed licensing model. The proposed model draws on consultations and input from stakeholders, evidence and impact analysis. The second part contains a detailed description of each element of the model, and the rationale for the proposed approach to each element, including relevant consultation feedback, evidence, and impacts for each element contained in the model. The draft Amendment Bill and regulations have been based on this model. During the development of the national licence model for the electrical occupations a risk-based approach was taken based on identified consumer and health and safety risks associated with electrical work. An overview of these risks can be found at Attachment F. COAG’s Best Practice Regulation Principles were also considered. Proposed licence categories and regulated work A licence category identifies the scope of regulated work, which describes the extent of work authorised under the category. The proposed national licence model for electrical occupations is based on a number of licence categories, each relating to specific aspects of electrical work. The licence categories proposed for the electrical occupations are listed below in Table 3.1. Table 3.1: Electrical licence categories Licence categories Electrician Electrical fitter Electrical line worker Electrical cable jointer Electrical contractor Restricted electrical work (refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment) with fault finding Restricted electrical work (electronic and communication equipment) with fault finding Restricted electrical work (instrumentation) with fault finding Restricted electrical work (non-portable appliances) without fault finding Restricted electrical work (industrial/commercial equipment) without fault finding Provisional electrician Provisional electrical fitter Provisional electrical line worker Provisional electrical cable jointer The categories differ slightly from those currently issued across jurisdictions. Victoria currently issues an electrical inspector’s licence, Queensland and the Northern Territory currently license plug and cord work through a restricted electrical licence, and some jurisdictions currently issue licences to apprentices. These categories are not included in national licensing and are discussed later in this chapter.
Occupier’s licence/In-house electrical installing work licence Not requiring these licences reduces regulation in two jurisdictions. Contractor licences for REL holders Not requiring these licences reduces regulation in three jurisdictions. Electrical contractor licence category (allows a person or business to contract with the public for electrical work) There is overall reduction in regulation for electrical contractors through: Drastic reduction in conditioned licences has occurred in some jurisdictions. No mutual recognition processes reduces regulation and administrative burdens. No business skills training reduces regulation in five jurisdictions. No evidence of experience reduces regulation in six jurisdictions. No insurance requirement reduces regulation in six jurisdictions. Primary jurisdiction check Business & safety training requirements Financial probity checks: payment of fines or penalties bankruptcy/insolvency checks undischarged bankruptcy period 3 yrs 5 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 5 yrs provisions of financial statements or evidence of financial status Personal probity checks: criminal history check (or declaration) Other requirements: nominee requirement
regulation in five jurisdictions. No mandatory or annual skills maintenance reduces regulation in seven jurisdictions. Inclusion of financial probity checks (in relation to payment of fines and penalties) may increase regulation in five jurisdictions – but some checks are already done administratively. insurance requirement (professional indemnity insurance) mandatory skills maintenance requirements cardiopulmonary resuscitation additional testing Licence duration 3 yrs 5 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs up to 3 yrs 5 yrs 1, 3 or 5 yrs Electrical fitter N/A N/A N/A There is overall reduction in regulation for electrical fitters through: Drastic reduction in conditioned licences has occurred in most jurisdictions. No mutual recognition processes reduces regulation and administrative burdens. No criminal history checks reduces regulation in four jurisdictions. Qualification – Certificate III Financial probity checks: payment of fines or penalties Personal probity checks: criminal history check licence disqualification check Other requirements: fitness or health check
No health checks (includes colour blindness) reduces regulation in three jurisdictions. No experience requirement reduces regulation in five jurisdictions. No mandatory or annual skills maintenance reduces regulation in five jurisdictions. Inclusion of financial probity checks (in relation to payment of fines and penalties) may increase regulation in two jurisdictions – but some checks are already done administratively. colour blindness evidence of experience (requirement for X years’ work experience) English language test insurance requirement (professional indemnity insurance) mandatory skills maintenance requirements cardiopulmonary resuscitation Licence duration 5 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs 5 yrs 5 yrs 1,3 or 5 yrs Electrical line worker N/A N/A N/A N/A There is overall reduction in regulation for lineworkers through: Drastic reduction in conditioned licences has occurred in most Qualification – Certificate III Financial probity checks: payment of fines or penalties
processes reduces regulation and administrative burdens. Rationalisation of RELs provides a regulatory and administrative benefit in most jurisdictions, especially in Vic, Qld, Tas & NT where the number is reduced from 11 to 5. No criminal history checks reduces regulation in seven jurisdictions. No health checks (includes colour blindness, mental capacity ) reduces regulation in five jurisdictions. No experience requirement reduces regulation in six jurisdictions. Inclusion of financial probity checks (in relation to payment of fines and penalties) may increase regulation in five jurisdictions. Evidence that REL is ‘needed’ to perform main occupation Financial probity checks: payment of fines or penalties bankruptcy/insolvency checks Personal probity checks: criminal history check (or declaration) Other requirements: fitness or health check mental capacity colour blindness evidence of experience (requirement for X years’ work experience) age requirement (minimum age) insurance requirement (professional indemnity insurance) mandatory skills maintenance requirements cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Licence duration 3 yrs 5 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs 5 yrs 3 yrs max 3 yrs 5 yrs 1, 3 or 5 yrs Provisional licences There is overall reduction in regulation for provisional licences through: Streamlined processes will assist the skilled migration demand. No mutual recognition processes reduces regulation and administrative burdens. Provisional licences will enable electrical fitters to complete on-the-job training while up skilling to an electrician. No health checks (includes colour blindness, mental capacity ) reduces regulation in five jurisdictions. Inclusion of financial probity checks (in relation to payment of fines and penalties) may increase regulation in five jurisdictions. 1 An assessment test is applied if Qualification Offshore Technical Skills Record Other qualification Electrical fitters licence Financial probity checks: payment of fines or penalties bankruptcy/insolvency checks Personal probity checks: general probity check (disqualification of licence) declaration on application form criminal history check Other requirements: fitness or health check mental capacity colour blindness
Table D.7: Current restricted electrical licences – jurisdiction-specific subcategories Jurisdiction List of subcategories New South Wales Appliances Motors Electric hot water heaters Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment: Air-conditioning work – associated electrical work endorsement Refrigeration work – associated electrical work endorsement Victoria Air-conditioning & refrigeration Instrumentation Electronics Water heaters Electrical appliances Pre-assembled neon signs Composite equipment Control devices Gas appliances Motors Hazardous area equipment Queensland Refrigeration and air-conditioning Instrumentation/process control Electrotechnology systems assembly and servicing Non-qualified assembly and servicing Plumbing/gas: Trade qualified plumber Plumbing/gas: Gas work Electric motors: Trade-qualified Electric motors: Non trade-qualified Electronics Composite equipment High-voltage electric propulsion Western Australia Domestic appliances (includes stoves) Disconnect & reconnect Disconnect & reconnect plus appliances Plumbing worker Plumbing & gasfitting worker Refrigeration & air-conditioning mechanic Instrument process control technician South Australia Refrigeration and air-conditioning Instrumentation and process control Disconnect/reconnect electric hot water heaters Disconnect/reconnect industrial equipment Disconnect/reconnect commercial equipment Communications and computing equipment Disconnect/reconnect electronics equipment Tasmania Refrigeration and air-conditioning Provisional refrigeration and air-conditioning Instrumentation Electronics Water heaters Pre-assembled neon signs Composite equipment Control devices Gas appliances Motors Explosion protection equipment Australian Capital Territory Electrotechnology systems and servicing electrical fitting licence Electrotechnology systems mechanical fitting licence Electrotechnology systems plumbing and gasfitting licence Electrotechnology systems refrigeration and air-conditioning licence Electrotechnology systems Type B gas appliances licence Northern Territory Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment Instrumentation and control equipment Specialised commercial/industrial equipment Pre-assembled neon signs Water plumbing Gas equipment Self-propelled high-voltage earth-moving equipment Domestic appliances and equipment Disconnection and reconnection (basic) Plug and cord connected equipment Explosion protection equipment
Attachment G – Proposed electrical qualifications Tables G.1 to G.6 list the qualifications, and where relevant the associated mandatory units of competency, being proposed for the licensing eligibility requirement for the proposed licence categories under national licensing. Proposed qualifications for electrical licences Table G.1: Proposed qualification requirements for electricians Licence category Training package Qualification Electrician UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician Proposed qualifications for electrical fitter licences Table G.2: Proposed qualification requirements for electrical fitters Licence category Training package Qualification Electrical fitter UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package UEE30611 Certificate III in Electrical Machine Repair or UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package UEE30711 Certificate III in Switchgear and Control Gear or UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package UEE33011 Certificate III in Electrical Fitting or MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package MEM30405 Certificate III in Engineering – Electrical/Electronic Trade that includes the following elective units of competency along with completion of the core units: Group A –electrical/electronic trade stream units MEM05001B Perform manual soldering/desoldering – electrical/electronic components MEM05002B Perform high reliability soldering and desoldering MEM05003B Perform soft soldering MEM05006B Perform brazing and/or silver soldering MEM09002B Interpret technical drawing MEM10002B Terminate and connect electrical wiring MEM12002B Perform electrical/electronic measurement MEM12004B Perform precision electrical/electronic measurement MEM18001C Use hand tools MEM18002B Use power tools/hand held operations MEM18045B Fault find/repair electrical equipment/components up to 250 volts single phase supply MEM18046B Fault find/repair electrical equipment/components up to 1000 volts a.c./1500 volts d.c. MEM18055B Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components MEM18049C Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired equipment up to 1000 volts a.c./1500 volts d.c. MEM18050C Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired equipment over 1000 volts a.c./1500 volts d.c.
NT % p.a. 4.07% Australian Bureau of Statistics ‘Labour mobility’, February 2010, catalogue 6209.0, Table 7, page 23, for the electricity, gas, water and waste services industry. Calculated as the number of employees that entered into a different industry division in the last 12 months, as a proportion of the total number of employees in that industry during that time. Licence fees The licence fees presented in Table H.6 are the current fees under the existing jurisdiction-based licensing schemes. Table H.6: Licence fees – contractor licence Assumption Unit Value Source Cost of licence fee – contractor (new licence fee) NSW $ per licensee $583.11 Based on data received from NSW regulator on 29 February 2012 Note: weighted average fee of individual contractor licence ($521 for 25,900 licensees), partnership contractor licence ($756 for 1,232 licensees) and corporation contractor licence ($885 for 4,623 licensees). Vic $ per licensee $529.10 Qld $ per licensee $305 Based on data provided by Qld regulator (attachment regarding licence fees and renewal periods) received 6 March 2012 WA $ per licensee $496 Note: based on $418 + $78 (application fee) SA $ per licensee $508.86 Based on data provided by SA regulator in comments received in January 2012. Based on the weighted average of a new licence fee for individual contractor licence ($481 for 3,656 licensees) and company contractor licence ($628 for 855). Tas $ per licensee $462 ACT $ per licensee $650 Note: $200 application fee is payable upon first applying for a licence, and then a further $450 is payable to obtain the licence. NT $ per licensee $215
Table H.41: Removal of additional competency units – time value Assumption Unit Value Source Removal of additional competency units – time Vic Hours per unit 40 hours Qld Hours per unit 40 hours WA Hours per ‘Establishing a contracting business’ unit [EA102] 42.5 hours Hours per ‘Operation (Electrical) Legislative Requirements’ unit [EA103A] 8.5 hours Hours per ‘General Legislative Requirements’ unit [EA103B] 8.5 hours Hours per ‘Electrical Requirements’ unit [EA106 (WAE100)] 25.5 hours SA Hours per ‘Plan Small Business Finances’ unit [BSBSMB402A] 50 hours Hours per ‘Legal Issues’ unit [BSBSMB40aA] 60 hours Tas Hours per unit 34.38 hours Average of all units in other jurisdictions, as information from Tasmania was not publically available