How to Check a Western Australia Electrical Contractor Before Work

Before electrical installing work begins, use Western Australia’s Building and Energy online licence search to confirm that the business holds a valid electrical contractor’s licence. Under the rules reported in the WA Government’s 2 April 2025 announcement, businesses undertaking electrical installing work must hold that licence; a licensed contractor must also hold public liability insurance and lodge official notices for the work, which may then be inspected for compliance. The same announcement reported that a Pilbara tradesman who had never held the licence pleaded guilty to five charges under WA’s Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 at Perth Magistrates Court, was fined $5,000 and was ordered to pay $1,224.80 in costs.

Figures checked 1 October 2026.

How do I use the Building and Energy licence search?

Use the regulator’s online search before agreeing to engage a business for electrical installing work:

• Start with the WA Government announcement linked above and locate the Building and Energy online licence search.
• Look up the business proposed to carry out the work.
• Confirm that the result identifies a valid electrical contractor’s licence.
• Record the result and the date you checked it.
• If the result is missing, unclear or does not correspond with the business, do not assume the contractor is licensed. Recheck the live regulator page and ask the contractor to resolve the discrepancy.

The announcement confirms that the online search is available, but it does not reproduce its current fields or screen layout. Follow the prompts on the live Building and Energy page rather than relying on an old screenshot or guide.

What should I check besides the licence?

A valid contractor’s licence and public liability insurance answer different questions. The regulator says a licensed electrical contractor must hold public liability insurance, but its announcement does not say that the licence search confirms a policy or displays its terms.

Do not infer a policy limit from the licence search. The announcement does not provide one and does not establish that a valid licence result verifies current public liability cover. Check the contractor’s current policy documents and PDS before relying on the insurance.

The announcement also does not list each official notice, its lodgement deadline or how consumers can view the notices. Those details need to be checked on the current regulator page or confirmed with the contractor.

Why does a licence check matter?

Building and Energy prosecuted a Pilbara tradesman for falsely presenting himself as a licensed electrical contractor and providing invalid electrical safety certificates. He had never held an electrical contractor’s licence.

The court was told that, in 2020, he issued three invoices to commercial premises for electrical installing work while presenting himself as a licensed electrical contractor. Other charges concerned the unauthorised signing of two electrical safety certificates using another WA electrical contractor’s licence number. The man was not named because the court granted a spent conviction.

Magistrate Robert Young said the Regulations were in place for public safety and that general deterrence and a penalty were needed to create a culture of compliance. For consumers, the practical lesson is straightforward: check the regulator’s result rather than relying only on a contractor’s representation.

What should I do if the information does not match?

Do not proceed on the assumption that a business is licensed or insured. Revisit the current Building and Energy licence search, check the exact business being asked to perform the work and keep a record of the result.

If the contractor cannot clearly answer questions about public liability insurance, official notices or the completion certificate, ask for the relevant information before agreeing to the work. Once electrical installing work is completed, request the electrical safety certificate and retain it with the quotation, correspondence and policy records.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the live Building and Energy page for current licensing and safety requirements, and read the contractor’s policy PDS for the applicable insurance terms.

Sources

• Court case prompts reminder to check electrical licences

FAQ

What licence should a WA electrical contractor hold?

A business undertaking electrical installing work must hold a valid electrical contractor’s licence. Licensed electrical workers can carry out electrical installing work only when they are working for an electrical contractor.

Does the licence search prove the contractor has public liability insurance?

The WA Government’s announcement does not say that the online licence search verifies public liability cover. It says a licensed electrical contractor is required to hold that insurance, so confirm the policy information separately and read the PDS.

Should I receive official notices and an electrical safety certificate?

A licensed electrical contractor must lodge official notices for electrical work, and those notices may then be inspected for compliance. The regulator also says consumers receive an electrical safety certificate for completed electrical installing work; request and retain it.

What should I do if the licence search result is unclear?

Do not assume the business is licensed. Recheck the current Building and Energy page, compare the business details and ask the contractor to resolve any discrepancy before engaging it.