The Australian Government will establish a high-quality national electrical license it says will cut red tape and save tradies time and money.
With a federal election looming, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the government will work with states, territories, businesses, and unions to design a national licensing scheme for electrical trades people.
A high-quality national license will allow greater movement between states for electrical workers eager to follow the work in high-demand sectors like construction and energy and provide greater community understanding nationally of the quality and importance of work performed by licensed electricians.
“National licensing will enable people in electrical trades to work seamlessly across state and territory borders without reapplying for a separate licence or paying additional fees,” the Treasurer says.
“By removing unnecessary barriers, this scheme will encourage highly skilled electrical workers to go where they are needed most in the industry, like in housing construction and clean energy.”
The 2025–26 Budget will enable the design and implementation of the national licensing scheme through the National Competition Policy (NCP) framework. The government has committed $900 million to the National Productivity Fund to drive NCP reforms.
Electrical Trades Union National Secretary Michael Wright says electricians have long campaigned for such a move through the ETU.
Wright adds that the national regime must put safety and quality at the centre of its design, reflecting best practice from across the country – not composed of existing lowest common denominators in sub-national jurisdictions.
“Australia has some of the best electrical workers and highest electrical standards in the world. A national license must reflect that. We will work with government and industry on a licensing scheme that sets the global standard in this high-risk, fast-moving trade,” Wright continues.
“The Australian national electrical license must be a mark of quality and safety that workers, industry, consumers and employers feel proud of and have confidence in.
“All Australians have the right to know that work performed by licensed Australian electricians has been performed safely and skilfully by a professional whose capability has been certified to the highest level.”
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: ETU
