Supervision requirements for apprentices
This information was developed to assist industry, electrical contractors, electricians and apprentices to understand the new apprentice supervision requirements applicable under the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 (the Regulations).
Changes to supervision requirements
The Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 seek to improve standards of supervision for electrical apprentices and trainees and more closely align requirements in the Territory with that in other Australian jurisdictions.
Ongoing incidents relating to apprentices continues to be a concern to the Electrical Safety Regulator. Apprentices are over-represented in electrical incidents reported to the Regulator.
Apprentices are a particularly vulnerable category of electrical worker, who rely heavily on more experienced electrical workers to supervise them. A common characteristic in electrical incidents involving apprentices relates to inadequate supervision by electrical workers.
The model adopted in the regulations is largely based on the National Supervision Guideline for Electrotechnology Apprentices.
Levels of supervision
Under the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024, there are three levels of supervision:
- direct supervision
- general supervision (level 1)
- general supervision (level 2).
These levels of supervision are applicable to apprentices at different stages of their apprenticeship and based on the competency of the apprentice. Different levels of supervision might apply to the same apprentice, depending on the kind of work being undertaken.
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Direct supervision
Direct supervision describes a situations where the supervising electrical worker constantly monitors the apprentice, reviewing their work practices and standard of work. Direct supervision is required where an apprentice is new to a task or has not yet demonstrated a consistent ability to perform the task to a minimum standard.
Direct supervision means that:
- the holder of an electrical work licence is, as far as reasonably practicable, present in the immediate work area of the apprentice or trainee at all times while the electrical work is being performed
- the holder of an electrical work licence can observe the apprentice or trainee and their work
- the apprentice or trainee and the holder of an electrical work licence are able to communicate directly
- while the electrical work is being performed by the apprentice or trainee, the holder of an electrical work licence:
- provides instruction and demonstrates the correct procedures for performing the work
- monitors the work
- provides guidance
- checks, as required, that the work complies with the Regulations
- when the electrical work is completed by the apprentice or trainee, the holder of an electrical work licence checks and tests the work to ensure that the work is safe from electrical risk.
Duties relating to supervision of apprentices and trainees
Both Persons Conducting a Business and Undertaking (PCBU) performing electrical work, and supervising electrical workers have duties under the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 in relation to the supervision of apprentices and trainees. It is an offence under the Regulations to contravene the requirements relating to these duties.
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Duty of a PCBU
A PCBU that performs electrical work involving an apprentice or trainee must ensure that all electrical work performed by the apprentice or trainee is supervised by the holder of an electrical work licence in accordance with the requirements set out in the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024.
The PCBU must have regard to:
- the type of electrical work to be performed by the apprentice or trainee, especially whether the work will be performed on or near a part of an electrical installation that is connected to a supply of electricity
- the location and general circumstances in which the electrical work is to be performed
- the level of competence of the apprentice or trainee
- the ability of the person who is to provide the supervision to provide appropriate supervision.
The PCBU must, as far as practicable, ensure that:
- the person supervising the apprentice or trainee complies with the supervision requirements in the Regulations
- the person supervising the apprentice or trainee understands their responsibilities under the Regulations in relation to supervision
- the apprentice or trainee does not carry out electrical work on or near an energised part of an electrical installation
- the apprentice or trainee worker knows who is supervising them.
Supervision ratios
The Regulations introduce explicit requirements regarding the number of apprentices that can be supervised by a supervising electrical worker. These ratios are determined with reference to the supervision levels described above.
This is intended to ensure that supervising electrical workers are not required to supervise a number of apprentices or trainees that is detrimental to the quality of supervision that each receives.
A supervising electrical worker must:
- in the case of direct supervision, supervise no more than 1 apprentice or trainee at a time
- in the case of general supervision (level 1), supervise no more than 3 apprentices or trainees at a time
- in the case of general supervision (level 2), supervise no more than 5 apprentices or trainees at a time.
Refusal of work
An apprentice or trainee has the right to refuse to perform any electrical work that, having regard to the supervision under which it is being performed, the apprentice or trainee reasonably considers that:
- the apprentice or trainee is not competent to carry out the electrical work
- performing the electrical work would create an electrical risk.
Supervision requirements at a glance
A printable poster summarising the supervision requirements is available for download.