What Electrical Work Can I Do Myself In Sydney?

Attempting your electrical work at home can be hazardous and against the law in Australia.

The Australian Government has strict laws against what type of electrical work can be done at home. And the primary reason behind this is to protect its citizens against the hazards of working with electricity without proper tools, training, or skills.

That said, a few types of electrical wiring work are permitted by law in Sydney.

If you are thinking about saving money, it takes to call a professional electrician and opt for doing your electrical wiring on your own; that’s great! However, knowing the rules and regulations is imperative when attempting DIY electrical jobs at home.

So, without waiting any further, let us tell you about the electrical job you can do at home in Sydney.

Types of Electrical Work You Can Do Yourself In Sydney

Why Should You Not Attempt Electrical Work At Home?

It should be no surprise that doing electrical wiring on your own is hazardous. Even professionals sometimes make mistakes, which can be quite serious if an individual does them without electrical knowledge.

While you may come across several DIY electrical work videos on the internet, it is essential to know that attempting them without proper equipment or skills can be hazardous. A slight misstep can not only cause damage to the entire electrical system at home, but it can also injure you or your family members.

It is always recommended to call a professional, licensed and trained electrician in Sydney for any electrical repairs and electrical maintenance. However, there are a few electrical tasks you can do yourself. Here is all you need to know about them.

What Electrical Work Can You Not Do At Home?

Most people in Sydney attempt these minor electrical tasks at home without understanding that they may have broken the law. And although these tasks may seem innocuous, they can be quite dangerous and are thus forbidden by law to do unless you are a licensed electrician.

The following are minor electrical tasks that you should not do at home -

• Installation of a ceiling fan
• Installation of light fixtures
• Replacement of light switches and power points
• Building a DIY extension lead
• Repairing any electrical appliance or gadget
• Replacing the information on any electrical appliances or electrical equipment
• Attaching a new plug or replacing a plug at the end of a lead
• Electrical renovation works
• Repairing blown or broken fuse, air conditioner, power points etc

What Electrical Work Can You Do Yourself In Sydney?

Now that you know the minor electrical tasks you should avoid at home, let us discuss the legal functions. Remember that although these electrical works are legal and can be performed even if unlicensed, you must use proper electrical safety gear.

Plus, ensure that you have the right tools and understand the mechanisms of the electrical appliance you are attempting to fix. On that note, here are some of the electrical work you can do at home in Sydney -

• Installing pumps for a pond in the yard
• Changing a blown-out light bulb
• Replacing old LED downlights
• Rewiring old-style fuses
• Replacing an old drive belt in your washing machine
• Make openings for air conditioning units (without installing them)
• Fitting an electric wall oven without connecting it
• Installing low voltage lights for your garden

Looking at the list we shared above, it may be evident that you cannot perform any real electrical work at home without a proper licence. The only minor electrical work you can legally do is install and connect low-voltage garden lighting.

Any electrical work that requires hard wiring cannot be done at home without a licence. These tasks require you to contact an electrical contractor.

What Can Happen If You Do Illegal Electrical Tasks At Home?

You first need to understand why most of these electrical tasks are made illegal by the Australian Government for unlicensed people. Any electrical job is hazardous, and there is always the possibility of you or someone else getting a shock or electrocuted.

There is also the risk of a house fire, which is dangerous for your home and those around you. As such, multiple fines are put in place for anyone caught doing illegal electrical work at home. However, we think that the most significant penalty that you can pay for this is electrocution.

In terms of monetary fines, getting caught doing illegal electrical tasks can get you a fine of up to $40,000. However, if the electrical charge is hazardous and could cause electrocution, the penalty could go up to $600,000 or 5 years in prison.

Finding a Qualified Electrician

If you need to hire an electrician, finding a qualified professional who can do the job safely and correctly is essential. Here are some tips for finding a qualified electrician:

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or neighbours.
• Check with your local electrical contractor’s association.
• Ask for their electrical licence and insurance
• Get multiple quotes from different electricians.
• Interview the electricians and ask about their experience and qualifications.
• Check the electrician’s website for reviews from past customers.
• Make sure the electrician is available to do the work when you need it done.

Once you have found a few qualified electricians, you can schedule appointments to get estimates for the work you need to do. Be sure to ask about the electrician’s experience with the specific type of electrical tasks, such as electrical installations or repairing electrical systems. It would be best to ask about the electrician’s warranty and their guarantees.

DIY Electrical Projects: What You Should & Shouldn’t Do!

We hope this guide helps you understand the type of electrical work you can legally do at home without a licence.

While the illegal electrical tasks may seem minor and not worth calling a professional, remember that doing your own electrical work can be highly hazardous. So, no matter how little the job may seem, we recommend getting help from a licensed, professional electrician.

If you attempt any legal electrical tasks at home, ensure that you research correctly beforehand. Also, always use safety gear to eliminate any risks of shock or electrocution.

When finding the best electricians in Sydney, always check their licences and credentials. There is no such thing as being too safe when playing with electricity.

Bright Force Electrical can provide you with a wide range of electrical solutions in Sydney. We have experienced and highly trained technicians to handle all electrical problems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Call us today for more information!

That’s all we have for you today in this guide. Be sure to keep an eye on this space for more exciting reads. Until next time!