Electrical What is a certificate of compliance for electrical work?
A licensed electrician gives you a certificate after electrical work in Queensland; keep it, because you may need it later.
A certificate of compliance is the paperwork a licensed electrician gives you after electrical work to show it was tested and meets the rules. In Queensland, licensed contractors provide a certificate to the customer after work. Keep it, because buyers, insurers and rental processes may ask for it later.
What is a certificate of compliance?
It is a written record from the licensed electrician that the work was done and checked. It is evidence that the job was done by a licensed person and tested before it was left in use.
Queensland’s electrical safety laws describe the certificates licensed contractors must give. WorkSafe Queensland has a page on issuing certificates of compliance that explains the current requirements.
Are there different types?
Yes. Based on what we could confirm, there are two broad kinds: one for testing and safety of electrical equipment, and one for testing and compliance of installation work. Which one applies depends on the job. A licensed electrician will know and will issue the right one.
Form names and numbers change over time, so rely on the electrician and the WorkSafe page rather than on a number you read elsewhere.
Why should I keep it?
The certificate is useful long after the job is done.
- Selling. A buyer or their adviser may ask for records of electrical work.
- Insurance. If you need to make a claim, evidence of licensed work can help.
- Renting. Landlords and property managers may need records for the property file.
- Future work. A new electrician can see what was done and when.
Who is responsible for issuing it?
The licensed contractor who did the work is responsible for providing the certificate. That is one more reason to use a licensed electrician: the paperwork is part of the job, not an optional extra. If you are unsure which certificate applies, ask the electrician to explain it in plain terms before they start.
What if I did not get a certificate?
Do not assume it is lost. Contact the electrician or business and ask for it, quoting the date and address of the job. Many electricians keep records and can send a copy.
If you cannot get one, or you are not sure the work was done by a licensed person, ask a licensed electrician to look at the work. For questions about your rights, the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator and can advise.
Do certificates matter for rentals and sales?
They often do. A property manager may ask for evidence that electrical work at a rental was done by a licensed person, and a buyer’s adviser may ask for records of work done to a home. Having certificates ready makes those conversations simpler and helps show the work was tested and done properly. If an older home has undocumented electrical changes, a licensed electrician can inspect what is there and advise on next steps. Do not try to alter or correct existing work yourself.
What to do after any electrical job
Ask for the certificate
Ask the electrician which certificate applies to your job and when you will receive it.
Check the details
Look at the address, date and the electrician’s name and licence number. If any detail is wrong, ask for a corrected copy.
Store it safely
Keep a digital copy and a paper copy with your home records, alongside your invoice.
Pass it on
When you sell or hand over a property, include the certificates with the other documents.
Frequently asked questions
Licensed contractors give customers a certificate after work, but the type depends on the job. Ask your electrician which applies.
Keep it for as long as you own the property, since buyers or insurers may ask for it. A digital copy is a good backup.
Yes. Contact the business with the date and address of the job and ask for a copy.
No. An invoice is a payment record. The certificate is a separate record that the work was tested and meets the rules.
Contact the Electrical Safety Office Queensland. It is the regulator and can explain what a licensed contractor must provide.
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