An NT electrical contractor licence requires at least $5,000,000 in public and products liability insurance for personal injury or property damage arising from electrical work performed under the licence, and the applicant must have held an unrestricted electrical work licence for at least two years. For a partnership or body corporate, at least one employee whose name will be endorsed must meet the two-year rule, and the contractor has 30 days to notify the Electrical Safety Regulator if its nominee ceases to hold that licence or to be an owner (director), partner or employee; these requirements come from NT WorkSafe’s Electrical contractor licence guidance, page dated 13 May 2025. A qualified nominee must be endorsed on the licence, and changing that nominee requires the Electrical Safety Regulator’s approval.
Figures checked 1 October 2026.
Does the business need an NT electrical contractor licence?
A business must hold an electrical contractor licence if it:
- performs electrical work for a fee; or
- employs a licensed electrical worker who performs electrical work for a fee.
The licence may be issued to an individual, such as a sole trader, a partnership or a body corporate.
The meaning of electrical work is broad. Section 9 of the Electrical Safety Act 2022 includes connecting or disconnecting electricity supply, as well as manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, repairing, altering or maintaining electrical equipment or an electrical installation.
What must be in place before applying?
The applicant must satisfy the following eligibility, insurance and work-performance requirements.
| Requirement | What the applicant must demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Electrical work licence experience | The applicant must have held an unrestricted electrical work licence for at least two years. For a partnership or body corporate, at least one employee whose name will be endorsed must have held it for at least two years. |
| Public and products liability insurance | At least $5,000,000 must be held for personal injury or property damage arising from electrical work performed under the licence. |
| Contractor course | The applicant, or at least one employee of the applicant, must have successfully completed the contractor-course units of competency approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator. |
| Work under the licence | The applicant must demonstrate that the work will be performed by an electrical work licence holder. Work performed by an apprentice must be supervised by the licence holder. |
The approved contractor-course units listed by NT WorkSafe are:
- UEEEL0040 — Develop Compliance Policies and Plans to conduct an Electrical Contracting Business
- UEEEL0002 — Apply Currency of Safe Working Practices and Compliance Verification of Electrical Installations
Who must be endorsed as the nominated person?
An electrical contractor licence must endorse at least one owner, partner or employee as its nominated person, also called the nominee.
The nominee must:
- have successfully completed the approved contractor-course units;
- hold a current unrestricted electrical work licence; and
- have held that unrestricted electrical work licence for at least two years.
For a partnership or body corporate, at least one employee whose name is endorsed on the licence must meet the two-year requirement.
A contractor may have more than one nominee at a time. However, an individual may be a nominated person for only one electrical contractor licence at a time.
Must the nominee perform or supervise every job?
All electrical work completed by an electrical contractor must be performed or supervised by a nominated person. The requirement therefore covers all electrical work, not only the tasks the nominee personally performs.
The nominee is responsible for ensuring that electrical work is carried out in accordance with current electrical safety legislation and relevant Australian Standards.
What must happen if the nominee changes or is lost?
- Notify within 30 days: The contractor must notify the Electrical Safety Regulator if its nominee ceases to hold an unrestricted electrical work licence or ceases to be an owner (director), partner or employee.
- Obtain approval before changing the nominee: The contractor must not change the nominated person without the Electrical Safety Regulator’s approval. The Application to vary an electrical contractor’s licence form is used to report changes to nominated-person details or body corporate or partnership details.
- Respond if the nominee is lost: If the nominee leaves the business or no longer holds the required electrical work licence, the contractor must notify the Electrical Safety Regulator. NT WorkSafe states that the licence will be suspended until a replacement nominee is approved, while also noting that suspension is not automatic.
- Do not continue without an endorsed nominee: An electrical contractor may commit an offence if it continues providing and performing electrical work after losing its nominee and failing to notify the Regulator, or if it performs electrical work without a nominated person endorsed on the licence.
The 30 days is a notification deadline, not approval to replace the nominee or continue without one.
Which application form and documents are needed?
Applicants must use the form relevant to their business structure:
- company or partnership; or
- sole trader.
The application must also include a completed electrical workers register for contractors, using the template provided by NT WorkSafe. An electrical contractor licence can be issued for a maximum period of three years.
Does the $5,000,000 requirement determine which policy to buy?
No. The amount is the licensing minimum for public and products liability insurance associated with personal injury or property damage from electrical work performed under the licence. It does not, by itself, establish whether a particular policy is suitable.
Check the current NT WorkSafe regulator page and the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement for its cover, conditions and exclusions. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
Sources
FAQ
Can an electrical contractor have more than one nominee?
Yes. A licence must have at least one nominee but may have more than one. Each nominee may be nominated for only one electrical contractor licence at a time.
Does two years of experience alone make someone eligible as a nominee?
No. Two years is the minimum period for holding an unrestricted electrical work licence. The nominee must hold that licence currently, have completed the approved contractor-course units and be endorsed on the electrical contractor licence.
Must the nominee personally carry out every item of electrical work?
No. All electrical work must be performed or supervised by a nominated person. The nominee remains responsible for ensuring that the work complies with current electrical safety legislation and relevant Australian Standards.
What happens if the nominee leaves the business?
The contractor has 30 days to notify the Electrical Safety Regulator if the nominee stops holding the unrestricted electrical work licence or stops being an owner (director), partner or employee. A replacement nominee requires approval, and the contractor must not perform electrical work without a nominee endorsed on its licence.
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