Select your State or Territory below to read local industry and news updates.
Remade Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 to Commence 1 September 2026
The remade Electrical Safety Regulation 2026 will commence on 1 September 2026.
The regulation has been reviewed and remade to ensure it remains relevant, fit for purpose, efficient and has continuing relevance to the economic, social and general wellbeing of Queensland. This will replace the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 when it expires on 31 August 2026.
The government review and remake of the ES Regulation included comprehensive consultation with the electrical industry. Find out more information about the public consultation period.
Key changes to the regulation include:
- new section and part numbers
- reordering of provisions to improve navigation and strengthen the connection to the Act
- changes to the look and feel of provisions to make them clearer and remove duplication
- technical, procedural and administrative amendments
- removal of duplicative or redundant provisions.
There are no changes to the policy intent or the existing regulatory requirements.
Information is available on the Queensland Government website to help support the navigation of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, including answers to frequently asked questions.
For more information on the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/ESR2026.
MEA Advocacy Win – Connection Guarantee Key Performance Indicators to Speed Up Power Supply Connections
The Government has announced an improved Connection Guarantee to deliver faster electricity connection times for housing developments, major generators and industrial users to improve productivity and get Queenslanders into their new homes sooner.
Part of the Energy Roadmap, the Connections Guarantee is backed by $418M investment to improve connection timeframes and make performance easier to understand and track, benefiting developers, industry and Queenslanders.
MEA has been advocating to Energy Queensland and the Queensland Government through our Qld Productivity Commission submissions that EQL supply connection delays were unacceptably and unreasonably long. This announcement shows government is listening to industry and taking steps to resolve the issue. MEA will continue to monitor and keep members informed of progress.
Read the full announcement here.
Consumer Mains Labelling Requirements
Energy Queensland has informed us that electrical contractors are still not applying the correct labelling requirements for underground consumer mains as introduced in the Version 4 edition of the QECM.
These conditions include clear identification at the point of attachment (pillar) with a label being fixed to the outer sheath of the cable in a visible position outlining the street address registered with the local council it’s intended to supply. The labels are required to be made of material that shall be able to withstand ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather, and vandalism and last the expected life of the installation.
More information on the requirements can be found on the Energy Queensland Electrical Partners Alerts page, or our MEA Technical Bulletin.
Master Electricians members have exclusive access to technical advice. If you have any question or concerns, please contact the MEA Tech Hotline.
Industry Survey: Managing Psychosocial Hazards in Construction
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is seeking industry feedback in a short survey to better understand:
- what is driving psychosocial risks in construction workplaces
- what strategies and approaches are already working on site
- how WHSQ can provide clearer, more practical support for workers and businesses of all sizes.
Your feedback will help WHSQ develop practical tools to support psychosocial risk management, improve understanding of compliance obligations and contribute to safer and more efficient project delivery.
You can take part in the confidential survey here.
MAS Lead the Way Workshops for Women In Construction
Mas National, in partnership with CSQ, invites you to a three‑day workshop designed to empower women in construction to reach their leadership potential.
Developed by Allied Health practitioners, Lead the Way focuses on providing evidence-based interventions to empower women in leadership positions, helping them develop personal and professional strengths, foster a supportive community, and learn practical tools for managing stress and adversity.
100% subsidised by CSQ, there is no cost to participate in the training sessions or coaching.
Download the flyer to learn more or book in for a workshop in multiple locations across September, October and November.
Register now: OIR Webinar: Electrical solar and battery installer safety
Join the OIR for a focused online session designed specifically for domestic solar and battery installers.
You’ll hear from electrical safety experts and industry representatives as they share practical guidance and insights on:
- navigating recent legislative changes
- common electrical installation mistakes and how to avoid them
- RCD requirements and common pitfalls
- multi‑mode inverter installation and testing essentials.
Date: Thursday 10 September
Time: 7 – 8am
The webinar is free to attend.
For more information including the full program and speaker line up visit the webinar event page, or click here to register.
Women in Construction Industry Survey
The NSW Government Women in Construction Program is seeking feedback from businesses and individuals about their experiences in the NSW construction industry. There are two surveys, one for businesses, and one for the workforce.
- The business survey is for business owners, managers and HR representatives within NSW construction businesses.
- The workforce survey is for people currently working in construction, studying for or considering a career in construction, or who have previously worked in the industry.
Have your say by 5pm Wednesday 26 August. Learn More
Funding Opportunity Available for First Year Apprentices – Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships
The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships support NSW apprentices to successfully complete their apprenticeship in their chosen trade.
Applications should be submitted to the NSW Department of Education, and are welcome from apprentices in both metropolitan and regional areas, including school-based apprentices.
Each scholarship is currently valued at $5,000 per year for up to 3 years, to a maximum of $15,000.
eCert Portal Information
BCNSW eCert streamlines how specialist trades complete and submit their certificates of compliance.
From 1 July 2026, all Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) must be submitted via the portal (handwritten and PDF forms will no longer be accepted).
Learn more about submitting a CCEW through the eCert portal.
National Police Check Certificates for Licence Applications
From 23 June 2026, applications for certain Building Commission NSW licences, certificates and registrations must include a National Police Check (NPC) certificate.
NPCs help the Commission make more informed decisions when assessing applications. They ensure only suitable applicants are able to obtain a licence or certificate, preventing unfit individuals from joining the industry.
If you are applying for the following licences or certificates as an individual in any building and trade general and specialist work category, you’ll need to provide a NPC for:
- Individual contractor licence
- Qualified supervisor certificate
- Tradesperson certificate
No updates this issue.
Work-from-Home Laws Delayed for Nearly a Year
The Victorian government’s proposed work-from-home laws will be delayed for nearly 12 months, as premier Ben Carroll allows more time for consultation and amendments to the legislation.
The proposed law aims to develop legal protections for employees who want to work at least two days a week from home, and were originally due to proceed on 1 September. This has been delayed until 1 July 2027, to ensure balance is provided in the laws against all needs and priorities, including family, economic, government and the business community. Read more here.
Victoria Proposes New Workplace Safety Reforms
Workers who speak up about safety on the job will get stronger protection under new laws introduced by the Government.
The changes strengthen protections against coercion and intimidation, including coercion in relation to HSR nominations and elections.
The new laws will mean that employee representatives must not intentionally use or disclose information from an employer or employee for a purpose not reasonably connected with the exercise of a power under the OHS Act.
This includes the prohibited use of photos and recordings for reasons other than genuine health and safety matters.
Free Electrification Skills Training for Electricians
The Free Electrification Skills Program aims to support Victoria’s gas substitution reforms, help meet consumer demand for energy efficient appliances and homes, and prepare for new building electrification and minimum efficiency standards.
Free training topics include:
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Split system air con and heat pump training
-
EV charger design and installation training for electricians
- Commercial and industrial solar design and installation training
- Switchboard upgrades training for electricians
Free Cybersecurity Support for Small Businesses
If you are a small business with 19 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, you are eligible for support on cyber security and cyber threats, including:
- Incident Response Hotline
- Access to a Cyber Advisor
- Cyber First Aid
- Wellbeing Support
- Cyber Health Check
Learn more at idcare.org/smallbusiness
Managing Noise in the Workplace
Noise-induced hearing loss or deafness make up 85 per cent of all occupational disease claims, with more than half of the 2,323 injuries in the past year occurring in the manufacturing, construction and transport, postal and warehousing industries.
To amplify awareness, WorkSafe is offering free online Noise Basics workshops providing employers access to practical tools, resources and advice to identify hazardous noise and prevent harm.
The potential for noise to be hazardous is not always obvious – which is why WorkSafe provides online resources such as the noise hazard identification tool, noise risk assessment and control tool, noise survey and a compliance code.
Employers, managers and supervisors with OHS responsibilities in small-to-medium-sized businesses can register for the workshops now, with dates available until September 2026.
To manage risks from workplace noise, Victorian employers should:
- Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the noise exposure standard.
- Arrange for a noise assessment if employees are exposed to excessive noise (eg workers have to raise their voices to communicate over a distance of one metre) and there is uncertainty as to whether employees exposure may have exceeded the noise exposure standard.
- Eliminate or minimise the source of noise. Use noise insulated equipment (eg silence compressors), enclose or isolate noisy machinery, reduce vibration, use barriers to absorb and screens to block the direct path of sound, use silencers on air exhausts, exhaust pneumatics out of the area, buy the quietest tools/machinery available.
- Place warning signs in areas of excessive and continual noise (eg where employees exposure is likely to exceed the exposure standard).
- Warn other workers nearby that you will be undertaking noisy work and advise them to move away or wear hearing protection.
- Provide hearing protectors such as earmuffs or earplugs, ensure they are worn at all times, and provide employees with audiometric testing if hearing protectors are required from employers to control an employee’s exposure to noise above the noise exposure standard. Employers should provide a choice of different types of hearing protection appropriate to the noise level in the workplace.
More information about managing noise.
New Notice to Market Requirements under Solar Homes Program 2026-2.
Retailers, installers, and other workers and industry participants must comply with the requirements in this notice for Solar Homes incentives to apply to solar PV and hot water systems. Practices and installations must always comply with the requirements, including at the time of quoting and at installation.
New mandatory requirements effective from 1 July 2026 relate to:
- Effective supervision of apprentice electricians
- Original Equipment Manufacturers complying with the Cyber Security (Security Standards for Smart Devices) Rules 2025
Updates made to existing mandatory requirements relate to:
- Updated course codes for White Card/construction induction training
- Configuration of emergency backstop
- The functions of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) have been absorbed into the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). This is now reflected in the terminology used in the Notice to Market.
Electrical Industry CPD Briefings
9-12 November 2026 | Statewide
The Tasmanian Electrical CPD Academy will deliver a series of Industry Briefings across Tasmania:
- 9 November – Kingston
- 10 November – Hobart
- 11 November – Launceston
- 12 November – Penguin
These briefings are eligible for 3 CPD points for electricians.
Affordable Expert Advice on Digital Solutions for Small Businesses
Digital Solutions Tasmania connects you with experienced Tasmanian advisors who take the time to understand your business, your goals and your challenges – helping you identify practical opportunities, build confidence and take the next step forward.
Access up to five hours of one-on-one support for your business at the heavily subsidised rate of just $110 (inc. GST) – that’s only $22 per hour for personalised advice from experienced Tasmanian advisors. Support areas include:
- Getting Started with Digital
- Marketing, Social Media & Selling Online
- Business Software & Systems
- AI & Emerging Technologies
- Cyber Security & Data
Find out more at digitalsolutionstas.com.au and to register for assistance.
Skills Tasmania Grant Program Release Schedule
Skills Tasmania offers a range of funding programs for delivery of nationally recognised training and other support to address the current workforce development and training priorities of the Tasmanian Government.
The Schedule is indicative only and may change during the financial year. All programs are subject to funding availability.
Skills Tasmania Policy Statement Update
Apprenticeships and traineeships provide an important pathway to a range of vocational occupations and trades. They link on-the-job training, through an employment relationship, with attainment of a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships and traineeships are a regulated arrangement, requiring both the employer and learner to adhere to the obligations of a training contract.
Under the Training and Workforce Development Act 2013, Building Tasmania has authority to determine qualifications suitable for delivery under a training contract. Suitable qualifications are those where learner and employer outcomes are best achieved through the training contract arrangement (an apprenticeship or traineeship).
A determination that a qualification is suitable for delivery under a training contract does not guarantee access to Tasmanian Government training subsidies. Funding decisions are managed through Building Tasmania (through Skills Tasmania) funding programs, including its purchasing arrangement with TasTAFE.
More details are available within the Skills Tasmania Policy Statement.
Most Common Electrical Defects 2025 – Solar Installations
Members are encouraged to review the list of the top 10 most common electrical work defects TechSafe Australia identified during inspections of solar installations in 2025.
These defects are for non-compliance with Australian Standards AS/NZS5033:2021 – Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and AS/NZS4777.1:2023 – Grid connection of energy systems via inverters – Part 1: installation requirements.
The defects listed comprise about 65% of all defects identified on solar installations in 2025.
Many of the defects are work quality issues which could easily be avoided without additional costs being incurred. Reducing these mistakes will mean that less defect notices are issued, saving everyone time and money returning to properties to fix defects.
Mandatory Proof of Address Requirement for New SAPN Connections
SA Power Networks has announced that, from 1 September, proof of address documentation will be mandatory when submitting a New Service Provision request through the portal. Currently, provision of documentation is not a mandatory requirement, which increases manual handling of applications by SA Power, delaying the initial request.
At least one of the following documents will be required:
- Council-approved plans showing the site address or lot number (required for new single allotments, subdivided allotments and large multi-site developments)
- Rates notice
- Surveyor’s plan
- Certificate of Title
Construction Workers Urged to Take Action Against Manual Task Injuries
SafeWork SA is urging construction businesses and workers to take action against the increasing number of injuries caused by manual tasks across the industry.
Hazardous manual tasks and the resulting injuries can be significantly reduced through better planning, the use of appropriate tools and equipment, and effective systems of work.
These injuries typically develop over time from repeated or sustained forceful exertion and can lead to long recovery periods, reduced work capacity and increased costs for workers and businesses.
Workers most frequently injured include carpenters, labourers, builders, electricians, scaffolders, and truck and plant operators – highlighting that no trade is immune.
Musculoskeletal disorders can be reduced by addressing hazardous manual tasks early and designing work to minimise unnecessary physical demands.
This includes:
- eliminating or minimising manual tasks during project and task planning
- considering materials selection, site layout and task sequencing to minimise lifting, carrying, reaching and repetitive work
- using mechanical aids and equipment as primary controls
- ensuring equipment is suitable for the task, readily available and used
- consulting with workers to identify high‑risk tasks and practical control measures
- improving collaboration between designers, builders and contractors to address work health and safety risks during the design and planning phases.
Taking Action on Workers’ Compensation Stigma
Contributing to creating a positive and supportive workplace is the responsibility of all team members within a business, and positive workplaces help reduce stigma around worker’s compensation.
Workers’ compensation provides an important safety net to workers who become injured or ill because of work. It provides financial support and other assistance so workers can focus on getting better and back to work safely.
Workers’ compensation stigma is when an individual, group or the broader organisation negatively stereotypes or discriminates against an injured or ill worker seeking workers’ compensation. This can include gossip, bullying or harassment from other workers, or workplace structures and procedures that penalise injured or ill workers.
Workers’ compensation stigma can affect all aspects of the workers’ compensation process. It can prevent the disclosure of injuries or illness, reduce engagement with the claims process, and reduce the effectiveness of recovery and return to work processes. It can also prevent injured or ill workers from making a workers’ compensation claim or impact their recovery.
Supporting injured or ill workers to get back to work safely benefits everyone – the injured or ill worker, their team, and the broader organisation. Injured or ill workers who feel included and supported are more inclined to seek help which benefits the individual, their team, and the organisation more broadly.
To learn more about workers compensation stigma and access resources to support your business, visit Safe Work Australia.
Asbestos Safety for Trades and Construction
You should always engage a licensed asbestos professional if there is a chance that asbestos may be present. If you are working with asbestos, you need to do the following:
- Have everything you need before you commence the job.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow the asbestos removal process as outlined in the How to safely remove asbestos: Code of practice. Non-powered tools should be used as they make larger (less hazardous) dust particles than power tools. High speed abrasive power or pneumatic tools must not be used.
- Wrap and dispose of asbestos according to guidelines in the code of practice.
- Decontaminate the area and yourself.
- Dispose of asbestos at a waste disposal facility which is licensed to accept asbestos waste. Find your nearest disposal site that is licensed to handle asbestos.
For more information please visit WorkSafe WA, Asbestos Safety.
Update on Changes to Electrical Safety and Work Health and Safety Laws
Changes to laws and policies resulting from fast-track approval reforms or wider efforts to reduce red tape in 2026, including the Electrical Safety Act 2022, Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 and Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011. See the changes here.
Discipline Committee to Be Replaced with the Electrical Safety Board
Recent amendments to the Electrical Safety Act 2022 have changed how disciplinary matters are managed by the Electrical Safety Board in the Northern Territory.
Under the changes, the Discipline Committee has been removed. The Electrical Safety Board will now be responsible for managing disciplinary matters directly.
The amendments also reduce the experience required for the Board’s legal member. The legal member must now have at least three years of legal practice in the Northern Territory, instead of the previous requirement of five years.
In addition, the amendments introduce clear rules for how the Board must handle disciplinary matters.
These changes do not affect electrical safety requirements, licensing obligations or the technical standards that apply under the Electrical Safety Act 2022.
A summary of amendments to the electrical safety laws are available on the NT WorkSafe website.
