Form L21
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE – OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING
ELECTRICAL WORK
Qualifications CONTRACTOR LICENCE - INDIVIDUAL
QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR CERTIFICATE
This brochure details the technical/formal qualifications and practical experience accepted by the Department for issue
of an Individual Contractor Licence (Q) or Qualified Supervisor Certificate for electrical work.
N.B. For distinction between a Contractor Licence (Q) and Qualified Supervisor Certificate please refer to
separate brochure titled “Explanatory Notes”
(i) Trade Course Certificate Holders
Completion of an Electrical Trade through the NSW Technical and Further Education (TAFE)** Commission (or
equivalent)
PLUS
Completion of an apprenticeship as an Electrical Mechanic, Electrical Fitter/Mechanic, Higher Engineering
Tradesperson, OR Trades Recognition* as an Electrical Mechanic, Electrical Fitter/Mechanic,
Electrical Tradesperson
PLUS
Evidence of Practical Experience which must include a minimum 12 months electrical wiring installation work
in residential, commercial and/or industrial situations (either during or after apprenticeship)
(ii) Electrical Engineers
x Completion of a recognised Australian Electrical Engineering Degree with a major in control/power/protection;
OR
x Completion of an Associate Diploma (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering (NSW TAFE)** with a
specialisation in control/power/protection; OR
x Any other Electrical Engineering qualifications with major studies in power/control/protection accepted by
Engineers Australia for membership as an ‘Electrical Engineer’.
PLUS
Trades Recognition as Electrical Mechanic, Electrical Fitter/Mechanic.
THEN
NSW TAFE** Certificate III in Electrical Wiring (Course 9968)
N.B. Electrical engineers must make their own arrangements with TAFE NSW for entry into the course
Certificate III in Electrical Wiring (Course 9968)
(iii) All Other Applicants including Overseas Applicants (except New Zealand)
Trades Recognition* as an Electrical Mechanic, Electrical Fitter/Mechanic, Electrical Tradesperson
PLUS
Minimum 12 months electrical wiring installation work in residential, commercial and/or industrial situations.
THEN
Completion of ‘Certificate III Electrical Wiring’ (Course 9968) through NSW TAFE**
*Trades recognition is defined as a Craft Certificate or a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the NSW Vocational
Training Tribunal or an Australian Recognised Tradesman’s Certificate issued by Trades Recognition Australia.
** Or accredited Registered Training Organisation
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Applicants may be required to undergo an oral test on the AS/NZS 3000:2000 and will be notified of the arrangements by the
Department.
NB: Persons submitting applications based on qualifications detailed in (i) and (ii) and (iii) are required to provide
transcripts of academic record listing all completed course components.
Applicants may be required to undergo an oral test on the AS/NZS 3000:2000 and will be notified of the arrangements
by the Department.
Previous NSW Licences
Applicants holding an ‘A’ Grade Electrical Mechanics Licence or Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Contractor Licence (Q)
issued by the Department of Commerce or former Building Services Corporation or Energy Authority of NSW will satisfy the
qualification and practical experience requirements for issue of a Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Individual Contractor
Licence (Q).
However, applicants who held a licence or certificate that expired prior to January 2000 will be automatically referred by the
Department to undergo an oral test on the AS/NZS 3000:2000 Wiring Rules. Other applicants may also be required to
undergo an oral test on the AS/NZS 3000:2000 and will be notified of the arrangements by the Department after assessment
of the application.
Interstate Licences
Applicants holding licences etc. issued by a recognised interstate licensing authority may satisfy the qualification and
practical experience requirements for issue of a NSW Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Individual Contractor Licence (Q).
These applicants should apply under Mutual Recognition arrangements using the appropriate Mutual Recognition forms.
New Zealand Licences
Applicants holding a current licence issued by a recognised licensing authority in New Zealand (i.e. Certificate of
Registration as ‘Electrician’ or ‘Electrical Technician’) will satisfy the qualification and practical experience requirements for
issue of a NSW Qualified Supervisor Certificate or Individual Contractor Licence.
Applicants will be required to undergo an oral test on their knowledge of the AS/NZS 3000:2000 Wiring Rules.
EVIDENCE OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
All applications except those based on equivalent interstate or New Zealand authorities must be accompanied by supporting
statements on the approved referee's statement form from the applicant's employer/supervisor verifying the applicant's
experience and covering the required period of time.
The statements must:
Be completed and signed by the applicant’s qualified/licensed supervisor. The supervisor must hold a certificate or
licence(Q) to perform electrical work for the period of time covered by the reference;
Provide a detailed description of the type of work performed and positions held by the applicant;
Indicate the time spent on each aspect of the electrical work including a period on the installation of Low Voltage (50V A.C.
1000V A.C.) requiring a knowledge and understanding of the AS/NZS 3000:2000 Wiring Rules in residential, commercial
and/or industrial situations; and
Show the first and last dates of employment (e.g. 1/4/86 - 14/4/90).
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Form L21
Enquiries
For advice regarding the recognition given to qualifications not listed herein please contact the Department’s Enquiry Line on
13 32 20.
RELEVANT AGENCIES AND CONTACT NUMBERS:
x Engineers Australia formerly known as Institute of Engineers (02) 9929 8544
x For the issue of an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate contact Trades Recognition Australia on (02) 6121 7456.
x Vocational Training Tribunal (02) 9266 8450
x Trade Course Certificates/Associate Diploma/Certificate III in Electrical Wiring: TAFE Information Centre 131 601.
x Department of Eduction and Training (DET) (02) 9269 3500 or 132 811.
x Migrant Skills and Qualifications Services (02) 9266 8704 (general).
Department of Commerce
Office: P O Box 972, Parramatta NSW 2124 Telephone Number 13 32 20
Interpreter Services 13 14 50
Fair Trading Centres located in the following areas:
Albury Coffs Harbour Lismore Penrith Tweed Heads
Armidale Dubbo Liverpool Port Macquarie Wagga Wagga
Blacktown Goulburn Newcastle Queanbeyan Wollongong
Broken Hill Grafton Orange Sydney
Central Coast Hurstville Parramatta Tamworth
Toll Free Number 13 32 20
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