According to WorkSafe Queensland, the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) conducts periodic audits and can require a copy of an electrical contractor’s insurance policy or written confirmation from the insurer. Its current contractor-licence figures—$5,000,000 for the public and products liability limit of indemnity and $50,000 for consumer protection insurance—were checked 1 October 2026.
Does the application declaration replace the audit evidence?
No. The application or renewal declaration and an ESO audit involve different steps:
| Stage | What the contractor must do |
|---|---|
| Applying or renewing | Provide the policy details and declare that you have confirmed with the insurer that the policy complies with section 165 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026. WorkSafe Queensland says you do not need to provide a copy of the policy with the application. |
| Electrical Safety Office audit | Provide a copy of the insurance policy or written confirmation from the insurer. |
The declaration is therefore more than an acknowledgement that a policy exists. It records that you have checked with the insurer that the policy meets the mandatory requirements.
The audit requirement is a separate practical step. Do not rely solely on the earlier declaration when the ESO asks for evidence; have either the policy or written insurer confirmation available.
What must the insurance policy include?
The $5,000,000 limit is only one part of the check. WorkSafe Queensland’s requirements also cover the policy’s legal name, insurance types and specified risks.
| Policy check | WorkSafe Queensland requirement |
|---|---|
| Business name | The policy must be issued in the legal name of the business applying for the licence. |
| Public and products liability | The policy must include both public and products liability, with a limit of indemnity of at least $5,000,000. |
| Consumer protection insurance | The policy must include consumer protection insurance of at least $50,000. |
| Testing and certification | It must cover liability arising from testing and certification of work in accordance with the Electrical Safety Regulation. |
| Faulty design work | It must cover injury or damage arising from faulty design work, including work for which no specific fee was charged. |
| Incorrect advice | It must cover injury or damage arising from incorrect advice, including advice for which no specific fee was charged. |
| Goods | It must include goods in the licence holder’s care, custody or control. |
Section 173 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 sets out the broader eligibility requirements for an electrical contractor licence. The insurance declaration specifically concerns compliance with section 165, so checking only the headline limit does not establish that the whole policy meets the mandatory requirements.
How should a contractor prepare for an audit?
- Check the policyholder name. Confirm that the policy is issued in the applying business’s exact legal name.
- Review the required cover. Check the public and products liability limit, consumer protection insurance and the listed risks against WorkSafe Queensland’s requirements.
- Confirm the position with the insurer. The application declaration requires confirmation that the policy complies with section 165. Keep the insurer’s written response with the business records.
- Keep the audit evidence accessible. Have a copy of the policy or written confirmation from the insurer ready if the ESO requests it.
- Read the policy PDS. The PDS explains the contract’s terms, conditions and exclusions. Consult the insurer or broker if it is unclear whether a policy meets a licensing requirement.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the WorkSafe Queensland regulator page and your policy’s PDS before relying on the policy for licensing purposes.
Sources
FAQ
What insurance evidence is needed with the application?
You must provide the policy details and declare that you have confirmed with the insurer that the policy meets the mandatory requirements. WorkSafe Queensland says you do not need to provide a copy of the policy with the application.
What can I provide if the ESO conducts an audit?
The audit evidence stated by WorkSafe Queensland is either a copy of the insurance policy or written confirmation from the insurer.
Is a $5,000,000 limit enough by itself?
No. The minimum limit of indemnity is only one requirement. The policy must also use the applying business’s legal name and meet the required public and products liability, consumer protection and specified coverage provisions.
Must I make the insurer-confirmation declaration when renewing?
Yes. The declaration is required when applying or renewing an electrical contractor licence. It must confirm that you have asked the insurer whether the policy complies with section 165 of the Electrical Safety Regulation.
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