Doing DIY or home renovations yourself can be hugely satisfying, and it can save you money (sometimes) too. When it comes to electrical work, even small jobs, it is actually illegal to not use a licenced electrical contractor.
Aside from being illegal, you’re also putting yourself and others in harm’s way.
What electrical jobs are illegal?
In Australia, there is the Electrical Safety Act (2002) that states that any electrical work that covers a broad range is only intended for licenced contractors.
These works include:
- Manufacturing
- Constructing
- Installing
- Testing
- Maintaining
- Repairing
- Altering
- Removing/Replacing
Some examples of these illegal DIY electrical works include:
- Replacing a light fitting or light switch
- Installing a new power point
- Changing out an electrical plug on an appliance
- The repair of any electrical appliance
DIY electrical repairs are dangerous
There are serious and even deadly consequences of DIY electrical work as you can see below:
- Electrical fires
- Shocks or electrocutions
- Failing of electrical inspections (large fines await)
- Insurance may not cover you in the even of a claim
There are stiff penalties that come with DIY electrical work. Fines of tens of thousands of dollars can be handed out just for performing the work. Should the work injure or worse kill someone, then that fine could be several hundred thousand dollars and also several years imprisonment.
Before you look to save a few dollars by doing that electrical job yourself, understand the consequences.
Let’s just make everyone’s lives easier, and let a professional and suitably licenced electrician like the team here at Nixon Electrics take all the hassle away from you.
