Queensland electrical safety laws modernised

New electrical safety laws have been passed by the Queensland Parliament that implement the first tranche of recommendations from the independent review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002 undertaken by Mr Dick Williams.

These changes ensure Queensland’s electrical safety laws keep pace with new and emerging technologies including by modernising the definitions of ‘electrical equipment’ and ‘electrical installation’ to capture new and emerging energy generation and storage systems. This makes clear the licensing requirements for working on these systems and ensures compliance with the Wiring Rules.

Changes also allow certain prescribed extra low voltage equipment to be captured in regulation as ‘electrical equipment’ where it is placing or may place persons or property at an electrical risk. This will allow the Electrical Safety Office as the regulator to respond to risks caused by these technologies in the community. Items that may be considered for prescription include e-scooter or e-bike batteries although prescription of any items will be subject to consultation.

Further information

Find out more at the Queensland Government media release on Historic workers’ compensation and electrical safety laws enacted