A person who holds an appropriate and valid practitioner licence may personally perform gratuitous electrical work without an additional contractor licence. Under Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) guidance, dated 14 November 2022, either the practitioner or property owner must have at least $5 million in Public Liability and Products Liability insurance covering the electrical work. The same guidance requires the work to be recorded using the Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CEC) form; details of the specific work must be provided and the form lodged with TechSafe within three days of energising the electrical work, while records of the work, including insurance details, must be maintained for ten years.
Figures checked 1 October 2026.
What is gratuitous electrical work?
CBOS uses the term for prescribed electrical work performed for no payment. It may include work for friends, relatives, churches, sports clubs, other community groups or the practitioner’s own house. Doing the work for no payment does not remove the practitioner-licence, insurance, CEC or record-keeping requirements.
Does a practitioner licence remove the need for a contractor licence?
CBOS allows a person with the appropriate practitioner licence to perform gratuitous work without an additional contractor licence. It distinguishes carrying out prescribed work from holding responsibility for a contract:
| Position | CBOS requirement |
|---|---|
| Carrying out prescribed electrical work | A valid practitioner licence. |
| Entering into a contract to perform prescribed work | A valid contractor licence, plus either employing practitioners or holding the practitioner licence. |
| Performing gratuitous work as an appropriately licensed practitioner | No additional contractor licence. |
| Working for a company with an appropriate contractor licence | CBOS says no further licence is needed in that arrangement because the worker is not responsible for the contract. |
Who must hold the $5 million insurance?
Either the practitioner or the property owner can hold the required insurance, but it must cover the electrical work performed by the practitioner.
| Requirement | CBOS rule |
|---|---|
| Insurance holder | Either the practitioner or the property owner. |
| Required cover | At least $5 million in Public Liability and Products Liability insurance. |
| Work covered | The electrical work performed by the practitioner. |
Check the relevant policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to confirm that the required Public Liability and Products Liability cover applies to the proposed work.
How must the CEC be completed and lodged?
CBOS sets these requirements for gratuitous electrical work:
- Record the work using the Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CEC) form.
- Provide details of the specific electrical work performed.
- Lodge the form with TechSafe within three days of energising the electrical work.
The stated deadline is tied to energising the electrical work. Check the current CBOS regulator page for the applicable lodgement instructions.
What records must be kept for ten years?
CBOS requires records of the electrical work, including insurance details, to be maintained for ten years. Keep the work documentation and insurance details accessible throughout that period.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the current CBOS regulator page and the relevant insurance policy’s PDS before starting a job, and confirm that the policy covers the proposed electrical work.
Sources
FAQ
Can a practitioner do free electrical work without an additional contractor licence?
Yes. For gratuitous work, CBOS allows a person with the appropriate valid practitioner licence to perform the work without an additional contractor licence.
Does no payment remove the insurance, CEC or record-keeping rules?
No. The $5 million Public Liability and Products Liability cover, CEC lodgement and ten-year record requirements still apply.
Must the practitioner personally hold the $5 million insurance?
No. CBOS says either the practitioner or the property owner must have the required insurance, provided it covers the electrical work performed by the practitioner.
When must the CEC be lodged with TechSafe?
The form must be lodged within three days of energising the electrical work, together with details of the specific work performed.
Which records must be retained, and for how long?
Records of the electrical work, including insurance details, must be maintained for ten years.
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