An investigation led by NSW Fair Trading officers has identified high levels of compliance across businesses within the NSW residential building sector.
As part of ‘Operation Switch’, conducted over February and March, Fair Trading inspectors attended several construction sites in Western Sydney where electrical work was being performed.
Commissioner of NSW Fair Trading, Rose Webb said she was pleased to see most of the workers who spoke to Fair Trading produced valid licences and were working safely, so that risks were minimised to their workmates, customers and the public.
“Operations such as this one support the NSW licensing regime, which protects workers, consumers and the public from risks that can arise when an unlicensed and unqualified person carries out electrical work,” Ms Webb said.
During ‘Operation Switch’, Fair Trading inspectors conducted more than 200 site inspections and checked nearly 190 licences.
Only two penalty infringement notices were issued during the operation, and education letters were issued to some businesses and workers to ensure they understood their obligations.
“Workers must hold an electrical licence before they can complete any electrical wiring work in NSW, regardless of the cost of the work or whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial,” Ms Webb said.
It is an offence to perform electrical wiring work without a licence or certificate and workers can be fined $22,000 as an individual or $110,000 as a company, she said.
“Consumers can review the licence of any person who is carrying out electrical tasks for them, and they can check a licence on the Fair Trading website,” Ms Webb said.
