# Can I do my own electrical work in Queensland? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Can I do my own electrical work in Queensland? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Can I do my own electrical work in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/diy-electrical-work-legal-queensland/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) No: in Queensland electrical work must generally be done by a licensed electrician, with only narrow exceptions for minor tasks. By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why is DIY electrical work not allowed? 2. Are there any exceptions? 3. What are the risks of doing it yourself? 4. What if unlicensed work has already been done in my home? 5. How do I find the right person? 6. What to do before you hire someone 7. Frequently asked questions No. In Queensland, electrical work must generally be done by a licensed electrician, with only narrow exceptions for minor tasks. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland (ESO), the state regulator, runs a campaign against DIY electrical work because mistakes can cause electric shock, fires and unsafe wiring that stays hidden in a home for years. ## Why is DIY electrical work not allowed? Electricity gives no second chances. A wiring mistake can look fine on the day and still cause a fire or a shock months later, when someone plugs in a heater or touches a metal tap. Licensing exists so that a trained, accountable person does the work, checks it, and answers for it. The rule applies to common home jobs, not only big ones. Adding a power point, moving a light switch, installing a ceiling fan, wiring a new appliance or changing hardwired fittings are all jobs the regulator expects a licensed person to do. Watching a video or buying parts from a hardware store does not change that. ## Are there any exceptions? Yes, but they are narrow and limited to minor tasks that involve no wiring work. The ESO publishes the current list on its Don’t do your own electrical work page, and that page is the one to read rather than relying on a summary. Our separate article on what a homeowner can do without an electrician explains how to think about that list. If a job is not clearly on the regulator’s list, treat it as electrician-only. Asking first costs very little. Guessing can cost a great deal more. - Regulator page: [Electrical Safety Office, Don’t do your own electrical work](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy) - Licence classes: [WorkSafe Queensland, classes of electrical licence](https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/licensing-and-registrations/electrical-licences/classes-of-licences) Stop and call for help If you see smoke, sparks or flames, or anyone has had an electric shock, get everyone out of the building and call 000. Do not touch the equipment, and keep children and pets away from it and from anything wet nearby. For any other electrical fault, such as a burning smell or a hot power point, stay away from it and contact a licensed electrician. ## What are the risks of doing it yourself? The risks fall on you, your household and anyone who later lives in or buys the home. - **Safety.** Faulty wiring is a recognised cause of shocks and house fires. - **Legal.** Unlicensed electrical work can attract penalties under Queensland law. The amounts are set by legislation, so check the ESO site for the current position. - **Paperwork.** Licensed work comes with compliance paperwork. DIY work does not, which can cause problems when selling, renting out or claiming on insurance. ## What if unlicensed work has already been done in my home? This is more common than people think, especially in older homes or after a purchase. You do not need to panic, but do not ignore it. A licensed electrician can inspect what is there and explain what is safe and what is not. Do not try to correct it yourself. If you believe someone is doing electrical work without a licence, the ESO accepts reports about unlicensed work. Check its website for how to make one. ## How do I find the right person? Ask for the electrician’s licence number and check it on the ESO’s online licence search before work begins. Our article on checking an electrician’s licence shows what to look for. After the job, ask for your compliance paperwork and keep it somewhere safe. ## What to do before you hire someone 1. Write down what you need — Note what the job is, where it is in the home, and any problems you have noticed, such as when a fitting gets warm or makes noise. Photograph what you can see without touching or opening anything. 2. Ask for a licence number — Any licensed electrician can give you one. Check it on the ESO’s online licence search. 3. Get the scope in writing — A written quote should describe the work so you can compare it with other quotes. 4. Keep your paperwork — After the work, ask for the certificate for the job and file it with your home records. ## Frequently asked questions - The Electrical Safety Office Queensland, part of WorkSafe Queensland, is the regulator. It publishes the rules, runs the licence search and takes reports about unlicensed work. - The ESO lists a small number of minor tasks that householders may do, and changing a light bulb is the sort of task it refers to. Check its page for the current list rather than assuming other jobs are allowed. - No. Installing or replacing hardwired items like fans, power points and switches needs a licensed electrician in Queensland. - Let the licensed electrician decide what you can safely help with. Any actual electrical work must be done by them. - Contact the Electrical Safety Office Queensland through its website. It is the regulator and handles these reports. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhat can a homeowner do without an electrician in Queensland?Householders can do only a short list of minor tasks themselves; anything involving wiring or fittings needs a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/what-can-i-do-myself-electrical-queensland/) - [ElectricalHow do I check my electrician is licensed in Queensland?Ask for the electrician's licence number and look it up on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland's online licence search before work starts.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/check-electrician-licence-queensland/) - [ElectricalWhat 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.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-certificate-of-compliance-queensland/) - [ElectricalHow to choose an electrician: 8 questions to askCheck the licence, ask about insurance and paperwork, get a written quote, and be wary of cash-only offers and pressure to decide.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/how-to-choose-an-electrician/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why is DIY electrical work not allowed? 2. Are there any exceptions? 3. What are the risks of doing it yourself? 4. What if unlicensed work has already been done in my home? 5. How do I find the right person? 6. What to do before you hire someone 7. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/diy-electrical-work-legal-queensland/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).