SPASA

MEMBER ALERT - QLD - ESO Water Equipment Licensing Update

October 1st, 2025

In August members received an update https://www.spasa.com.au/news/qld-electrical-safety-office-guidance-note-on-water-equipment on the Queensland Electrical Safety Office’s Guidance Note – Water Equipment intended to explain the application of existing regulations for installation or maintenance of prescribed electrical equipment.

That industry guidance note has now been released :  guidance of prescribed electrical equipment - water equipment

What does that mean?

In line with the Regulations, where a member is undertaking installations or work involving equipment defined as ‘water equipment’ the appropriately licenced person must carry out that work.

Installation requirements

You must be the holder of an unrestricted electrical contractor licence to perform electrical installation work, such as installing water equipment (e.g. pool/spa lighting and associated wiring) during initial construction of a pool or spa.

Electrical installation work includes installation of pool spa lighting and associated electricity supply wiring during construction of a swimming pool, paddling pool, spa or bathtubs including the initial connection of the lighting cables to the supply transformer, testing and energisation.

Restricted electrical work licence

WorkSafe - Classes of licences, outlines the types of licences available for practitioners based on their qualifications and experience. A type of licence called a Restricted electrical work licence allows the licence holder to perform specific electrical work. The relevant licence class that may assist members with undertaking this work is Electrical equipment limited to 250Vac (plug-in only). Other limited classes exist and based on qualifications and experience an individual may qualify for those classes.

The licence restrictions will be applied depending on the scope of work being performed, qualifications and experience. The Electrical Safety Office will determine what licence, if any, is appliable based on information provided.

If you perform electrical equipment work on water equipment as part of your business, you will be required to hold either an electrical contractor licence or a Queensland Building and Construction Commission trade contractor’s licence in the appropriate category.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Section 4 (Page 9) of the ESO’s eligibility guide outlines the eligibility requirements for a Restricted electrical work licence.

Step-by-step process

1.        Apply

You can start your application process here: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/electrical-worker-licences/restricted-electrical-work-licences-permits-other-than-apprentices

Three years’ experience

For the class, Electrical equipment limited to 250Vac (plug-in only), the applicant must have three years’ experience in service/repairs of commercial equipment, domestic appliances, or equipment specific to an employer.

Letter of Support

Applicants will need to provide a letter of support from their employer (or a stat-dec if self-employed) detailing as much information as possible on:

  • the type of equipment,

  • voltage range, and

  • type of work being performed.

2.        Training Permit Issued

Once the application is assessed and approved, an electrical work training permit will be issued which details the Units of Competency required based on the scope of work being performed, existing qualifications and experience. Electrical work training permits are issued to allow licence applicants to complete additional training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to obtain their electrical work licence.

3.        Undertake Training

There are a range of RTOs who are able to support members wishing to obtain a restricted electrical work licence to complete the necessary additional training required.

These RTOs are available on the WorkSafe website: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/licensing-and-registrations/electrical-training/registered-training-organisations

4.        Licence Application

Once applicants have completed their training, they must submit a licence application and provide evidence of completion of the units of competency required for the licence sought.

How to apply

To obtain a restricted electrical worker licence within Queensland, an application must be made to through WorkSafe and the ESO Electrical Licensing Portal.

Head to this page to learn more and apply: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/electrical-worker-licences/restricted-electrical-work-licences-permits-other-than-apprentices

The application will be assessed by a licencing officer based on the information provided in the licencing application. The licensing officer will determine the licence outcome, if eligible, based on the documentation and information provided.

Further Questions

If members have any specific questions about electrical work or contractor licences in Queensland, you should contact the WorkSafe Electrical Licensing team on 1300 632 993.

For more information you can visit the prescribed electrical equipment section of the WorkSafe website and check out the information related to restricted electrical work licences.

SPASA members can contact our team via members@spasa.com.au or 1300 021 482. Not a SPASA member, join today.

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