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Electrician insurance
Insurance for electricians and electrical contractors: the public liability your licence or contracts require, cover for your test gear, tools and van, and the rest. Tell us you’re an electrician and a licensed broker compares quotes for you.
- Electrician set as your occupation (ANZSIC 3232)
- Public liability, tools and vehicle in one request
What insurance do electricians need?
Most electricians start with public liability, and in some states the contractor licence makes it compulsory. Energy Safe Victoria requires registered electrical contractors to hold at least $5 million public liability. Queensland requires electrical contractors to hold $5 million public and products liability plus consumer protection insurance.
Tools, the work vehicle and income protection usually come next, and workers compensation once you take on an apprentice or employee.
Licence insurance rules for electrical contractors
| State | What the licence requires |
|---|---|
| Victoria (Energy Safe Victoria) | Registered electrical contractors must hold current public liability of at least $5 million for injury or property damage in connection with electrical contracting work. Contracting without it is a criminal offence. |
| Queensland (Electrical Safety Office) | Public and products liability of at least $5 million, plus consumer protection insurance of at least $50,000. The policy must cover testing and certification, faulty design work, incorrect advice, and goods in your care, custody or control. |
| Other states and territories | Check your licensing body’s conditions and the contracts you sign. Head contractors commonly set their own minimum. |
In Queensland you declare that your policy complies with section 165 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013, and the Electrical Safety Office audits contractors’ insurance.
Getting licensed in NSW
NSW Fair Trading issues four credentials for electrical work: an individual contractor licence, a company or partnership contractor licence, a qualified supervisor certificate and a provisional tradesperson certificate. You need a contractor licence if you intend to do, or contract for, electrical work.
It is a breach of the Home Building Act 1989 to carry out electrical wiring work without a licence or certificate, and NSW says you can be fined $22,000 as an individual or $110,000 as a company for doing unlicensed electrical work. The NSW licence page doesn’t set an insurance minimum, so public liability limits in NSW come from your contracts and the sites you work on.
The covers electricians usually hold
| Cover | Why |
|---|---|
| Public liability | Injury or property damage claims from your work, such as a fire or a client’s damaged ceiling. Required by some licences. |
| Tools and equipment | Testers, meters and power tools stolen from the van or damaged on site. |
| Commercial vehicle | The van or ute. Vehicle policies only include a small amount for tools. |
| Income protection (broker) | Pays you if illness or injury stops you working. |
| Workers compensation | In NSW and Victoria, any apprentice means you need a policy. |
What electrician public liability won’t cover
These need other cover, or aren’t insurable:
- Redoing your own faulty work.Public liability excludes the cost of fixing your workmanship. It responds to injury or damage the work causes.
- Your test gear and tools.Public liability covers other people’s property. Tools insurance
- An injured apprentice.That’s workers compensation, not public liability.
How to compare electrician insurance
Electrician insurance questions
Do electricians need public liability insurance?
In Victoria and Queensland the contractor licence requires it, with at least $5 million. Elsewhere it’s usually required by head contractors, builders and commercial clients.
How much public liability does an electrician need?
At least what your licence requires, such as $5 million in Victoria and Queensland, or more if a contract asks. Limits are commonly offered at $5 million, $10 million and $20 million.
Does public liability cover faulty electrical work?
It can respond to injury or property damage that your work causes, subject to the policy. It doesn’t pay to redo or fix the work itself.
Do I need workers compensation for an apprentice?
In NSW and Victoria, taking on any apprentice or trainee means you need a policy, regardless of wages. Check your state’s scheme.
Can electricians compare insurance online?
Yes. Electricians can request quotes online. A licensed broker compares our insurer panel and emails your quotes.
What licence do I need to do electrical work in NSW?
A contractor licence if you intend to do, or contract for, electrical work. A qualified supervisor certificate lets you do the work but not contract for it. Unlicensed electrical wiring work is a breach of the Home Building Act 1989, with fines of up to $22,000 for an individual.
Keep reading
More industries that compare online
Sources
- Energy Safe Victoria: Registered electrical contractors
- WorkSafe Queensland: Electrical contractor licences
- icare: Do I need workers compensation insurance?
- WorkSafe Victoria: Do I need to register for WorkCover insurance?
- Allianz Australia: Commercial vehicle insurance
- business.gov.au: Types of business insurance
- NSW Government: Electrical work licences
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