# What can a homeowner do without an electrician in Queensland? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. What can a homeowner do without an electrician 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/) - [What can a homeowner do without an electrician in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/what-can-i-do-myself-electrical-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/) Householders can do only a short list of minor tasks themselves; anything involving wiring or fittings needs a licensed electrician. By Aaron 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. What do householders get to do? 2. What always needs a licensed electrician? 3. Why are even simple jobs a risk? 4. What if I am not sure whether something is allowed? 5. Which electrician should I ask? 6. Does the same rule apply to tenants and landlords? 7. Frequently asked questions Queensland allows homeowners to do only a short list of minor electrical tasks themselves, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland (ESO) sets out that list. Anything involving wiring, power points, switches, fittings or fans needs a licensed electrician. If a job is not clearly on the regulator’s list, treat it as electrician-only. ## What do householders get to do? The exceptions are small by design. According to the ESO, they cover very minor tasks such as changing a light bulb. The ESO page is the source to read, because a summary elsewhere can be out of date or incomplete. Its Don’t do your own electrical work page sets out the current list. - [Electrical Safety Office, Don’t do your own electrical work](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy) It is worth noticing what the exceptions have in common. They are about using or maintaining something simple, not about touching the wiring behind a wall, a fitting or a switchboard. ## What always needs a licensed electrician? As a rule of thumb, if the job involves connecting, disconnecting or altering anything wired into the home, it is electrician work. That includes: - Replacing or adding power points and switches. - Installing or replacing light fittings, downlights and ceiling fans. - Any work inside or on a switchboard. - Fitting or repairing hardwired appliances, hot water systems and air conditioners. - Hardwired smoke alarms. - Anything involving solar panels, inverters, batteries or EV chargers. This is not a complete list. It simply shows the pattern, and our article on whether DIY electrical work is legal in Queensland explains the general rule. ## Why are even simple jobs a risk? Many electrical hazards are invisible. A fitting can look dead and still be live, and a fault can sit behind a wall with nothing to show for it. That is why the regulator keeps the exceptions short. Even for a task the ESO allows, be careful. Do not carry out any task near water, on damaged equipment, or if anything looks scorched, cracked or loose. If you are unsure whether something is covered, stop and ask a licensed electrician instead. When to stop and call for help If you see smoke, sparks or flames, or anyone gets a shock, leave the building and call 000. If a power point, switch or fitting is hot, discoloured, buzzing or smells burnt, do not touch it, keep children and pets away, and contact a licensed electrician. A fault that keeps coming back is not a minor task. It needs a professional to find the cause. ## What if I am not sure whether something is allowed? Ask before you start. Contact a licensed electrician, or the ESO, and describe the job in plain words. It is quicker and cheaper to ask first than to fix a mistake, and a licensed person can tell you straight away whether it needs their licence. Tenants and landlords should also remember that repair responsibilities in rental properties are set out in Queensland tenancy law. The Residential Tenancies Authority and the ESO can explain who arranges electrical repairs. ## Which electrician should I ask? Choose one whose licence you have checked. Our article on checking an electrician’s licence covers the steps, and the ESO has an online licence search. - [Electrical Safety Office, licence search](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/electrical-license-search) ## Does the same rule apply to tenants and landlords? The licensing rule applies to everyone. A tenant should not attempt electrical work, and should not assume a landlord can do it either unless they are licensed. If something electrical in a rental needs attention, tell the landlord or property manager in writing and describe what you have noticed, such as a flickering light or a warm fitting, without touching it. They are responsible for arranging a licensed person where the repair is theirs. The Residential Tenancies Authority can explain responsibilities for repairs. The same principle holds for a home you own. When in doubt, a short call to a licensed electrician is a far better option than a guess. ## Frequently asked questions - Yes, the ESO lists changing a light bulb as a minor task householders may do. Check its page for the current list and for any limits. - No. Replacing power points and switches involves wiring and must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland. - No. Installing a ceiling fan is hardwired work that needs a licensed electrician, even if you supply the fan. - A breaker or safety switch that trips repeatedly points to a fault that needs a licensed electrician to find the cause. Note when it happens and which area is affected, and contact an electrician. - It is on the Electrical Safety Office Queensland website, on its Don't do your own electrical work page. [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 - [ElectricalCan I do my own electrical work in Queensland?No: in Queensland electrical work must generally be done by a licensed electrician, with only narrow exceptions for minor tasks.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/diy-electrical-work-legal-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/) - [ElectricalCan I install a ceiling fan myself in Queensland?No: connecting a ceiling fan to mains wiring is electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrician in Queensland.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/install-ceiling-fan-yourself-queensland/) - [ElectricalDo power points expire, and when should they be replaced?Power points have no fixed expiry date but they wear out; scorch marks, cracks, loose plugs or buzzing mean a licensed electrician should look at them.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-power-points-wear-out/) ## 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. What do householders get to do? 2. What always needs a licensed electrician? 3. Why are even simple jobs a risk? 4. What if I am not sure whether something is allowed? 5. Which electrician should I ask? 6. Does the same rule apply to tenants and landlords? 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/what-can-i-do-myself-electrical-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/).