Ever had a proper electric shock? If you have, you certainly don’t need us to tell you why it’s important to leave electrical work to the professionals. If not, we’d very strongly suggest you take our word for it… Mains electricity is not something to trifle with.
When do I need an electrician?
Put simply, you’ll need an electrician for any electrical work. By law, about the only things you’re allowed to do in your own home are:
- change light globes
- turn power on or off at the switchbox
- use your appliances according to manufacturers’ instructions
- check the battery in your smoke alarm
Pretty much anything beyond this requires a properly licensed electrician, who needs to give you a safety compliance certificate to confirm that the work’s been properly carried out and tested according to Australian Standards.
Why do I need a licensed electrician?
Licensed electricians (as opposed to unlicensed cowboys or dangerously ambitious homeowners) have undertaken all the proper training to ensure that the work they do conforms to Australian Standards. They use proper tools and take the necessary precautions, understand local systems, and methodically test all their work to ensure it doesn’t burn your house down or electrocute you at a later date.
If you’re hiring an electrician, ask to see their license. You can confirm an electrician’s license is valid by visiting your state’s electrical licensing authority website.
