How do I check my electrician is licensed in Queensland?

Ask the electrician for their licence number, then search it on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland (ESO) online licence search before any work starts. Check that the name and licence class match your quote and the person who turns up. A licensed electrician will be happy to give you the number.

How do I check a licence?

The ESO is the Queensland regulator for electrical safety, and it provides a free online search of licence holders. You can use it from your phone while the electrician is still on the line or at your door.

• Electrical Safety Office, electrical licence search

What should I look for in the result?

There are three main things.

• Name. Does it match the business or person you are dealing with?
• Status. Is the licence current, and not cancelled or suspended?
• Class. Electrical licences come in different classes for different kinds of work. The WorkSafe Queensland page on licence classes explains them, and a licensed electrician can tell you which suits your job.

If anything does not match, ask the electrician to explain. A genuine mismatch, such as a business using someone else’s licence number, is a reason to walk away.

What about insurance?

Many consumer guides suggest asking whether the electrician carries public liability insurance. It is a sensible question, and a reputable business will answer it plainly. It is separate from the licence check, and the ESO search does not show it.

What if I cannot find them?

Try again with the exact spelling used on the quote, since the person’s name and the trading name may differ. If you still cannot find a current licence, do not let the work go ahead. You can ask the ESO for help through its website or its published contact details.

Why does the check matter?

Electrical work in Queensland must generally be done by a licensed electrician. Licensed work is done by a trained person, comes with paperwork, and can be traced back to someone accountable. See our article on whether DIY electrical work is legal in Queensland for background.

• WorkSafe Queensland, classes of electrical licence

What if I need someone urgently?

When something is wrong and you need help quickly, it is tempting to skip checks. Try not to. Ask for the licence number when you call, and look it up while you wait. A licensed electrician arriving at your door can show you their identification and the number, and it takes only a minute to confirm. In the meantime, stay away from the problem area, keep children and pets away, and note what you have seen without touching anything, such as the time it started, which rooms are affected and any smell or noise.

Can I check someone a friend recommended?

Yes, and you should. A recommendation tells you about service. The licence search tells you about the person’s authority to do the work. Use both.