Yes—Energy Safe Victoria’s Registered Electrical Contractors (REC) page, dated 20 August 2026, says that, unless the registration is suspended or cancelled, an REC registration may be renewed for a period of up to five years from the date of issue or renewal. The applicant separately declares that they understand the insurance requirements and that the required insurance will be in place before electrical contracting work begins. That declaration does not replace the separate requirement to hold at least $5,000,000 of current public liability insurance whenever the REC carries out or offers to carry out electrical contracting work, with the cover held in the name of the contractor registered with Energy Safe (same Energy Safe Victoria page, dated 20 August 2026; figures checked 1 October 2026).
What does “up to five years” actually mean?
The five-year figure is the maximum period for the registration renewal, not the length of the public liability policy. “Up to” means Energy Safe Victoria may grant a shorter period depending on the application and any conditions imposed.
| Registration point | Energy Safe Victoria requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum renewal period | Up to five years |
| Start of the period | The date the registration is issued or renewed |
| Status exception | The renewal provision applies unless the registration is suspended or cancelled |
| Possible conditions | Energy Safe may limit the registration to one class of electrical work |
A longer registration therefore does not remove the separate insurance conditions or guarantee that the registration is unrestricted.
Is the $5 million insurance condition separate from the renewal term?
Yes. The registration term and the insurance requirement answer different questions: one determines how long the REC registration may run; the other determines what must be in place while the business contracts or offers to contract electrical work.
| Insurance point | Energy Safe Victoria requirement |
|---|---|
| Policy status | Current whenever electrical contracting work is carried out or offered |
| Minimum cover | $5,000,000 public liability cover |
| Covered connection | Personal injury or damage to property connected with the applicant’s, employees’ or agents’ electrical contracting work |
| Contractual name | The electrical contractor as registered with Energy Safe |
| Declaration | The applicant acknowledges the requirements and will have suitable insurance in place before work begins |
| Evidence | The REC must provide evidence of the required cover whenever Energy Safe requests it |
Energy Safe Victoria states on its page dated 20 August 2026 that it no longer requires an application for an insurance exemption. That does not remove the requirement to hold the prescribed insurance.
The renewal process is also separate from the insurance evidence process. A new licence card is automatically issued upon renewal, but the regulator’s page does not say that the card confirms a policy is active. Energy Safe may request evidence later.
Carrying out or offering to carry out electrical contracting work without the required insurance is a criminal offence, according to Energy Safe Victoria. The published penalty is 50 penalty units for a natural person and 250 penalty units for a body corporate.
How do I check that the correct entity is insured?
Energy Safe Victoria specifically tells applicants to ensure that the entity they wish to register is correctly insured with its insurance provider. Before starting or offering electrical contracting work, check that:
- The insured entity matches the REC. Compare the policy with the exact business, person or company recorded as the electrical contractor with Energy Safe. A policy held only by a differently named entity may not satisfy the registration requirement.
- The policy is current. Check that the contract provides cover at the time the work will be carried out or offered.
- The minimum and scope are correct. The policy should show at least $5,000,000 of public liability cover for personal injury or damage to property connected with the relevant electrical contracting work.
- The policy period covers the work. A five-year registration does not mean a single insurance policy must remain unchanged for five years.
- Evidence is available. Keep the policy or other evidence that demonstrates the required cover so it can be provided when Energy Safe requests it.
- The full policy terms have been checked. Read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement and policy schedule for the insured entity, coverage period, conditions and exclusions. The $5,000,000 minimum alone does not describe every circumstance in which the policy may respond.
If the registered name, business structure or other entity details have changed, resolve the insurance details with the provider before carrying out or offering work.
How do I renew a Victoria REC registration?
Energy Safe Victoria gives the following renewal guidance:
- Watch for the reminder. Energy Safe will email the REC’s business supervisors 3 months before the registration expires.
- Keep the contact details current. The business supervisors are responsible for keeping the registration current and ensuring Energy Safe has the correct contact details.
- Submit the renewal through ESVConnect. The licence can be renewed through ESVConnect by credit card. The application must include any changes to earlier application information and other circumstances relating to the application.
- Pay when applying. Application fees must be paid when the application is submitted. The published page states that the fee includes a $70 non-refundable administration component; check the regulator page for the total amount before submitting.
- Receive the renewed card. A new licence card is automatically issued upon renewal.
- Apply by the renewal date. Energy Safe Victoria must cancel the registration if the contractor does not apply for renewal by the renewal date.
A cancelled REC may apply for reinstatement using the REC Reinstatement Form. If the REC has been cancelled for 5 years or more, its technical supervisor must complete the Licensed Electricians Assessment before applying for reinstatement.
What must be reported when registration details change?
Energy Safe Victoria must be informed of relevant registration changes within 10 business days of the event. These changes include:
- a business or company name change;
- a change to the business structure;
- changed contact details; or
- adding or removing a business or technical supervisor.
A technical supervisor must also be reported in writing within 10 business days after a change in circumstances that affects their ability to effectively supervise electrical installation work.
Registration-information changes can be managed through ESVConnect, and additions or removals of business or technical supervisors must be requested by the REC’s business supervisor. If an entity change affects the insurance contract, confirm with the insurance provider that the correct registered entity remains covered before electrical work continues.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current Energy Safe Victoria regulator page and the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement before relying on the registration or insurance arrangement.
Sources
FAQ
Can I always choose a five-year REC renewal?
No. Energy Safe Victoria may renew the registration for up to five years and may impose conditions, including limiting it to one class of electrical work.
Does the insurance declaration let me start work before cover is in place?
No. The declaration confirms that the applicant understands the requirements and will have suitable insurance in place before electrical contracting work begins.
Must the policy be in the registered contractor’s name?
Yes. Energy Safe Victoria says the insurance cover must be in the name of the electrical contractor as registered with Energy Safe. Check that the insured entity matches the REC details.
Does the new licence card prove my insurance is active?
No. A new licence card is automatically issued upon renewal, but the REC must provide evidence of the required insurance whenever Energy Safe requests it.
What happens if I miss the renewal date?
Energy Safe Victoria must cancel the registration. A cancelled REC may need to apply for reinstatement using the REC Reinstatement Form.
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