Advocacy

Master Electricians have been receiving value for 85 years. As a national, not-for-profit organisation, we’ve been working to ensure that Master Electricians possess and retain the skills, tools, and information that keeps them at the forefront of their industry.

When an electrical contractor becomes a Master Electrician, they gain a leading business partner and knowledge source. In addition, MEA works to advocate the interests of the industry to local, State, and Federal Governments, regulators and other key stakeholders.

Ongoing Advocacy

We are passionate about ensuring the voice of the electrical industry is heard and we actively advocate on a range of issues including:

  • Electrical safety, regulation and standards
  • Licensing
  • Workplace relations
  • Vocational education / Apprenticeships
  • National energy market
  • Security of Payment laws
  • Electrical tariff reform
  • OHS & workers compensation
  • Competition and consumer law
  • Skilled migration / Trade recognition immigration

2024

Vocational Education Training: Addressing the Skills Shortage

MEA strongly advocate that Vocational Education Training (VET) in secondary schools, with equivalent weighting to Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) subjects, is the best move in a suite of solutions to Australia’s skill shortage and trade apprentice gender diversity problems. This exposes male, female, and diverse students to a variety of trades encouraging education towards a career in the industry, fostering a supportive environment where a trade career is normalised. Secondary school VET courses enable more effective competency and aptitude screening which will be a key driver towards improving completion rates. We expect this to be a long-term sustainable solution to resolving our industry’s skills shortage crisis.

Consumer Energy Resources: Securing Work for Licensed Electrical Workers During the Nation’s Electrification

Through a combination of solar Photovoltaic (solar PV), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) and Time of Use Tariffs (ToU), households and businesses are empowered to independently produce distributed clean energy, simultaneously reducing power bills which increases consumer disposable income leading to long-term economic growth. Australia’s electrical industry stands ready and waiting to install and maintain private household and business CER assets.

Security of Payments: Ensuring Principals Pay Sub-Contractors on Large Contracts

The current dismal economic climate with increased business inputs and persistent inflation, has highlighted the importance of protecting our members from being treated as construction project financiers by principals and head-contractors. Security of Payment (SOP) laws are necessary to protect small and medium entities (SMESs) against payment power imbalances, ensuring SMEs receive monies owed which are currently at risk of being alternatively siphoned into external projects. This will not only significantly increase protection of SMEs, but also protect the wider economy from ‘domino’ liquidations which can ultimately lead to recessionary pressures.

Mutual Recognition: Making it Easier for Our Members to Work Across States

The lack of harmonization amongst Australian States for Electrical qualifications significantly hinders our members from working outside their residential States. Licensed electrical workers need to complete different assessments and qualifications to work in a different State, even though they have already completed the equivalent assessment locally. Administrative and economic factors prevent many of our members from completing these tasks. We are advocating for State harmonization for recognition of electrical qualifications, allowing licensed electrical workers to work across all of Australia.

Continuous Professional Development: Maintaining a Competent and Informed Electrical Industry

Safety for employees, customers and the wider public is the foremost priority in the electrical industry. Notably, many qualifications do not require continued assessments to ensure up-to-date competent knowledge and skills are being maintained. We advocate it is essential for all licensed electrical contractors to undergo periodic assessments of all qualifications and licenses obtained.

Small Business: Maintaining Optimal Operational Environment

As our members are Small and Medium Entities (SMEs), we monitor and respond to changes in the regulatory environment which impact the operational and economic functions of our members.

Work Health and Safety and Human Resource Laws:

We respond to any changes in technical regulations and human resource (HR) laws which impact the safety, operational procedures and workplace laws of our members.

Other:

Other consultations pop up which impact our members ranging from energy prices to superannuation requirements. Have a look at the consultations we have responded to which has an impact on you and your business.

View previous submissions
2023
MEA Submission - NextGen Youth in STEM - December 2023 MEA Submission - Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice - December 2023 MEA Submission - National Gas Law WA Adoption of Amended National Gas Objective to Include Emission Reduction - December 2023 MEA Submission - Supporting Women to Achieve VET-Based Careers - December 2023 MEA Submission - Australian Skills Guarantee PCP Round 2 - December 2023 MEA Survey Responses - NSW Year 11-12 Math Syllabus - December 2023 Proposed Co-regulation Model for Industry Licencing- December 2023 Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill - November 2023 Victorian Women in Energy and Women in Manufacturing Strategies - November 2023 Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan Transport - November 2023 SA Infrastructure 20-Year Plan - October 2023 Greater Adelaide Regional Plan - October 2023 Construction of Electricity Distribution Systems by Third Party Developers - October 2023 QLD Budget 2023-24 - October 2023 Low Energy Buildings - October 2023 Revoking the Electricity System Code - October 2023 NSW VET Review - October 2023 NSW Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 - October 2023 Australian Skills Guarantee PCP Consultation - October 2023 Questionnaire Responses - Community Climate Conversation - October 2023 Ergon Energy Network Regulatory Proposal 2025-30 - October 2023 Treasury Laws Amendment (Measures for Consultation) Bill 2023 - October 2023 NSW Draft Small Business Charter & Action Plan - October 2023 Energex Regulatory Proposal 2025-30 - October 2023 Battery Booster Program - October 2023 Advocacy and Support for Small Businesses Electrical Safety Act Review 2023 - MEA Submission -vs- Energy Skills Queensland VIC Renewable Gas 2023 NSW Home Building Act - NECA and MEA joint submission Closing Loopholes Bill 2023 Senate Inquiry Submission - Residential Electrification Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations - 2023 Unlocking the Benefits of CER Through Flexible Trading Pathways to Diversity in STEM ACT’s Integrated Energy Plan Queensland VET Consultation - 2023 Qld Electrical Safety Act Review 2023 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Security of Payment Issues DEWR Workplace Reform Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Registrations MEA Submission - Advocacy and Support for Small Businesses MEA Submission - Battery Booster Program - October 2023 MEA Submission - Energex Regulatory Proposal 2025-30 - October 2023 MEA Submission - NSW Draft Small Business Charter & Action Plan - October 2023 MEA Submission - Treasury Laws Amendment (Measures for Consultation) Bill 2023 - October 2023 MEA Submission - Construction of Electricity Distribution Systems by Third Party Developers - October 2023 MEA Submission - Greater Adelaide Regional Plan - October 2023 MEA Submission -SA Infrstructure 20-Year Plan - October 2023

View previous submissions
2022
2021
2018
2017
2016

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