Costs and finance Does unlicensed electrical work void your home insurance?
It can affect a claim, but policies differ, so check your own policy wording and keep paperwork showing a licensed electrician did the work.
It can. Policies differ, so there is no single rule, but the Residential Tenancies Authority warns that DIY electrical repairs can void insurance. If a loss is linked to work done by an unlicensed person, an insurer may question the claim. Check your own policy wording, and keep records showing a licensed electrician did the work.
Why would unlicensed work matter to an insurer?
In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. Insurers assess a claim against the terms of the policy and the cause of the loss. If an electrical fire or damage is traced back to work that was not done by a licensed person, the insurer may raise it when deciding what to pay.
That does not mean every claim is refused. It depends on your policy, the insurer and the circumstances. The point is that unlicensed work gives an insurer something to argue about at the worst possible time.
Is this a rule for every policy?
No. The warning comes from the Residential Tenancies Authority, which says DIY repairs can void insurance, and it is repeated by many electricians. But we cannot tell you what your insurer will do. Wording varies between policies and between insurers, and we are not able to give legal or insurance advice.
The only reliable source is your own policy document and your insurer or broker. Ask them in writing if you want a definite answer.
If you rent, the Residential Tenancies Authority explains who is responsible for electrical repairs between landlord and tenant. Rules for rental properties in Queensland have specific requirements, so check with the Authority or the Electrical Safety Office rather than assuming.
How do I protect my cover?
- Read your policy. Look for conditions about alterations, repairs and the qualifications of tradespeople.
- Ask your insurer or broker. Put the question in writing and keep the reply.
- Use a licensed electrician. Ask for their licence number and check it on the official Queensland licence search.
- Keep the paperwork. Invoices, licence details and any certificate of compliance help show the work was done properly.
A certificate of compliance is the written record an electrician provides to show work met the required standard. It is useful evidence if an insurer ever asks.
What if work was done before I bought the house?
Previous owners sometimes did their own electrical work, and you may not know about it. You cannot find this out by looking behind covers or panels, and you should not try. A licensed electrician can inspect the installation and tell you whether anything needs attention. Tell your insurer what you find rather than hoping it never comes up.
What to do if you are unsure about past work
Gather what you have
Find invoices, certificates and any building or sale paperwork that mentions electrical work.
Note what you know
Write down what was done, roughly when, and who did it, if you know. Do not touch or open anything to find out.
Ask your insurer or broker
Ask how your policy treats work done by unlicensed people, and what they would want to see.
Book a licensed electrician
Ask them to inspect any work you are unsure about and to explain what they find in plain terms.
Frequently asked questions
Not automatically, but it may affect the claim. What happens depends on your policy wording and the cause of the loss, so ask your insurer or broker.
No, nothing can guarantee that. A licensed electrician and good paperwork simply remove one common point of dispute.
Your policy document and product disclosure statement are the starting point. Your insurer or broker can explain the wording if it is unclear.
Electrical work in Queensland generally has to be done by a licensed electrician. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator and can explain the rules.
The Residential Tenancies Authority explains the responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Report faults to your property manager or landlord rather than repairing them yourself.
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