Figures checked 1 October 2026: Consumer Affairs Tasmania’s electrical contractor guidance, updated 17 July 2026, requires at least $5 million in public and products liability insurance and a certificate of currency with the application. The nominated manager must be suitably competent, hold an electrical practitioners licence in Tasmania and complete the required course stated in Determination 2016 - Approved courses electricity, gas, plumbing. The manager’s practitioner scope limits the electrical work the contractor may contract, while automatic recognition for an interstate contractors licence may be available only to an individual holder, not an entity.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current regulator page and your policy’s PDS before relying on a licensing requirement or deciding what insurance to arrange.
Who needs a Tasmanian electrical contractors licence?
You need an electrical contractors licence if you are entering into contracts to perform electrical work in Tasmania.
Either an individual or an entity, such as a company, can apply. An entity applicant must provide evidence of its registration. Anyone performing electrical work in Tasmania must also comply with the applicable Tasmanian requirements.
What insurance does the regulator require?
Consumer Affairs Tasmania requires public and products liability insurance of at least $5 million. The application must include a certificate of currency.
| Requirement | What the licence page says |
|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Public and products liability insurance of at least $5 million |
| Evidence with the application | Certificate of currency |
| New application upload | A digital copy of the required insurance |
The $5 million figure is the licensing minimum stated by the regulator. The licence page does not set out individual policy terms, exclusions or conditions, so check the PDS for the policy being considered.
What must the nominated manager satisfy?
The nominated manager must meet the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Competence | The manager must be suitably competent |
| Practitioner licence | The manager must hold an electrical practitioners licence in Tasmania |
| Course | The manager must have completed the required course of training stated in Determination 2016 - Approved courses electricity, gas, plumbing |
A new application also requires evidence of the nominated manager’s identity and digital copies of the manager’s electrical practitioner licence details.
The contractor-licence guidance does not state the duration of the required course. Check the current regulator information before selecting or completing training.
How does the manager limit the work I can contract?
The electrical work a contractor may contract for is limited to the scope of work that can be performed under the nominated manager’s practitioners licence.
Before accepting electrical work, check that its scope falls within the manager’s practitioner licence. Holding a contractor licence does not allow the contractor to contract for work beyond that practitioner scope.
Does automatic recognition apply to a company?
An interstate electrical contractors licence may qualify for automatic recognition in Tasmania only when the licence is held by an individual.
The automatic-recognition eligibility does not extend to a licence held by an entity. A company can apply for a Tasmanian electrical contractors licence, but it cannot rely on this individual-only automatic-recognition eligibility.
What documents and steps are required for the application?
The application process on the regulator’s licence page includes the following:
- Read the licence information and Personal Information Protection Statement.
- Start the application through the My Licence portal.
- Meet the eligibility requirements in the Occupational Licensing - Electrical Work Licence Classes Determination.
- Provide the certificate of currency with the application.
- For a new application, upload a digital copy of the required insurance.
- If applying as an entity, provide registration evidence and upload the applicable entity registration document.
- For a new application, provide the nominated manager’s identity and practitioner licence details.
- Answer the licence declaration questions. If you answer yes to any question, provide details and copies of all relevant documentation.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the licence fee online or at a Service Tasmania shop.
The declarations cover matters including dishonesty or prescribed-work offences, civil actions or judgments, previous licensing decisions and conditions, bankruptcy and debt arrangements, insolvency or receivership, and trades contractor licensing history. One prescribed-work declaration looks back 10 years and instructs applicants to answer yes if an infringement notice was issued to the business, an owner or a director.
How long will the application take?
Consumer Affairs Tasmania says applications will be processed within 21 days after all required information has been received. The 21-day period therefore does not begin merely when an incomplete application is first submitted.
Why does older information mention CBOS?
From 1 October 2026, CBOS transitioned to Consumer Affairs Tasmania and Building Standards Tasmania. References to CBOS should be read as referring to the relevant regulatory function within the new agencies. Official website information is still being updated, so use the current regulator page when checking application requirements.
Sources
- Electrical licence - contractor | Consumer Affairs — Consumer Affairs Tasmania, updated 17 July 2026.
FAQ
How much public and products liability insurance is required?
The required amount is at least $5 million. You must also provide a certificate of currency with the electrical contractors licence application.
What are the nominated manager’s main requirements?
The manager must be suitably competent, hold an electrical practitioners licence in Tasmania and complete the required training stated in Determination 2016 - Approved courses electricity, gas, plumbing.
Can a company use automatic recognition for its interstate licence?
No. Automatic-recognition eligibility applies only to electrical contractors licences held by individuals, not entities. An entity can apply for a licence but cannot use this individual-only eligibility.
What must a new applicant provide about the nominated manager?
Provide evidence of the manager’s identity and digital copies of the manager’s electrical practitioner licence details.
How long does Consumer Affairs Tasmania take to process the application?
Applications will be processed within 21 days after all required information is received.
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