Prescribed Electrical Equipment
This page has information about what prescribed electrical equipment is and what work you can do on them.
Currently, there are no items prescribed as prescribed electrical equipment.
This page will stay updated as items are prescribed.
Prescribed electrical equipment means any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter, or wire that:
- is used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming or transmitting electricity at extra low voltage or is operated by electricity at extra low voltage; and
- places, or may place, persons or property at electrical risk.
When an item is prescribed as prescribed electrical equipment, it becomes within the definition of electrical equipment and therefore subject to the electrical equipment regulatory framework.
The electrical equipment regulatory framework includes supply chain duties, licensing requirements for particular work, and brings the item within the recall framework.
The Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 amended the electrical work definition in the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (ES Act) to ensure that particular work tasks involving prescribed electrical equipment are not electrical work and therefore do not need to be completed by a licensed electrical worker. These changes sought to ensure that tasks that can be safely completed by members of the community, can continue to be completed without a license.
The following work involving prescribed electrical equipment is not electrical work and does not require a licence:
| Task | Relevant legislation of the ES Act |
|---|---|
| Connecting electrical equipment to an electricity supply by a flexible cord plug and socket outlet. | Section 18(2)(a) |
Work on a non-electrical component of prescribed electrical equipment if the person carrying out the work is not exposed to electrical risk (such as painting electrical equipment covers). | Section 18(2)(b) |
Connection and disconnection of prescribed electrical equipment with other extra low voltage equipment where:
| Sections 18(2)(p) & 18(2)(q) |
No. The scope of the EESS is limited to low voltage consumer electrical equipment, also known as, in-scope electrical equipment.
Prescribed electrical equipment is extra low voltage and is therefore outside of the scope of the EESS.
Learn more about the Electrical Equipment Safety System.
Where there is evidence that shows a particular type of extra low voltage equipment is posing electrical risk to persons or property, the Queensland Government will consider the most appropriate regulatory lever in response to the electrical risk, including whether the equipment should be prescribed as prescribed electrical equipment.
In considering whether an item should be prescribed, the Queensland Government will undertake a regulatory impact assessment to determine the impact on business, industry and the community, including whether existing licensing frameworks and industry processes are impacted or duplicated. The Queensland Government will also consult with the community, industry, registered unions, peak bodies and impacted government agencies on any proposals to prescribe prescribed electrical equipment.