Restricted electrical

Restricted Electrical and Disconnect-Reconnect Work

Restricted electrical authority is not the same as a full electrical licence or electrical contracting authority.

What restricted may mean

A restricted authority may allow narrow work such as disconnecting and reconnecting specified equipment in a particular occupation or equipment category. The exact rules depend on the state or territory and the licence conditions.

What it does not prove

  • General 240V fault diagnosis
  • Switchboard or safety-switch work
  • Electrical contracting authority
  • Work outside the approved equipment category
  • Broad spa controller or heater diagnosis

Official restricted-work checks

Claim or checkOfficial sourceUse this for
NSW has a specific disconnect/reconnect certificate for fixed electrical equipmentDisconnection and reconnection of fixed electrical equipmentNSW restricted electrical checks
QLD electrical licensing includes restricted electrical licence classesElectrical licencesQLD restricted electrical checks
VIC electrical registers and ESV guidance should be used for licence statusSearch public registersVIC electrical checks
WA electrical licensing includes restricted electrical licence pathwaysElectrical licensingWA restricted electrical checks

Standards layer

Restricted electrical standards and limits

Restricted disconnect/reconnect authority is narrow. Standards help identify safe work expectations, but the licence condition decides what the person may do.

Work or issueStandard, regulator or referenceHow to use it
Electrical installations and disconnection/reconnection contextAS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations, known as the Wiring RulesRelevant to fixed electrical equipment and installation requirements.
Safe low-voltage work methodsAS/NZS 4836 Safe working on or near low-voltage and extra-low voltage electrical installations and equipmentRelevant to electrical testing methods and safe work practice.
Licence condition checkHow to Check a Technician's LicenceCheck the exact licence class, limitations and whether fault diagnosis is included.