Electricians in the NT now face less red tape when doing routine work. Photo: David Pereiras.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government in the Northern Territory has reduced red tape for electricians, with the introduction of new reforms aimed at making work easier.
NT tradies are being promised more time on the job and less paperwork with the reforms, which remove “unnecessary” paperwork for “low-risk” electrical work.
The reforms amend the Electrical Safety Act, exempting specific low-risk electrical work from the requirement of a Certificate of Compliance. Routine tasks such as replacing lights or appliances where there is no change to be made to wiring will no longer need additional paperwork.
The government says the change ensures that safety requirements will remain strong while allowing NT WorkSafe to focus its efforts on compliance and enforcement in electrical work that represents a higher risk to workers.
Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said the legislation delivered a balance between practicality and safety.
“We want small and family businesses to be able to spend more time working on growing their business and employing Territorians and less time navigating red tape,” she said.
“We’re removing red tape that did nothing to improve safety, never made sense for the Territory, and which only increased costs, delays and frustration for electricians, businesses and Territory households.”
Ms Boothby also hoped the legislation would boost economic productivity.
“In our year of growth, certainty and security, we are committed to making the Territory the best place to do business, and that includes for skilled trades and construction,” she said.
The move has been welcomed by AJF Electrical in Palmerston, with owner Allen Fanning praising the government.
“It might sound like a basic change, but this saves us from wasting time on paperwork which does not make routine work like changing appliances, fans or power points any safer if safety switches are already installed,” Mr Fanning said.
The reform was initiated through the Approvals Fast-Track Taskforce’s Saying Yes to Business report.
An interim exemption began on 1 January this year, but the new the legislation makes it permanent.
The NT Government established the Approvals Fast-Track Taskforce to cut approval timeframes by 50 per cent and remove red tape impeding business and investment.
Ms Boothby also announced that nominations were open for the NT Electrical Safety Board, which played a vital part in advising on electrical safety policy and regulation.
Nominations for the board close on 1 March. More information can be found on the WorkSafe website.
