Have your say on changes to the Northern Territory’s electrical safety laws

The Electricity Safety Regulator within NT WorkSafe is seeking feedback from Territorians on changes to the Northern Territory’s electrical safety laws.

The Northern Territory lags behind the rest of Australia in electrical licensing and safety. The laws relating to electrical safety are contained in three different Acts which range in age between 20 to 40 years old.

The Northern Territory Government is modernising the electrical safety laws to keep Territorians safe from electrical safety risks and prevent property damage.

The new laws will apply wherever electricity is used, including private residences, workplaces and public spaces, and to any person who could affect the electrical safety of others.

Consultation is now open on the new requirements included in the draft regulations.

Some of the new requirements include:

• A new licensing framework for electrical contractors and workers.
• A requirement homeowners to install safety switches starting from 1 July 2026.
• Safety requirements for Solar PV systems and battery storage systems.
• Safety requirements for electric vehicle connection points.
• Community groups and not-for-profit organisations now have a duty to manage electrical safety risks.

Online information sessions

The following online information sessions will detail the new requirements included in the draft regulations for each audience group.

Information sessions for the general public , including homeowners

• Tuesday 7 May from 12.30 to 1:15pm [session finished]
• Wednesday 15 May from 5.00pm to 5.45pm [session finished]
• Thursday 23 May from 1:00pm to 1:45pm [session finished]
• Monday 27 May from 10:00am to 10:45am [session finished]

Information sessions for electrical contractors and workers

• Tuesday 14 May from 9.30am to 10.30am [session finished]
• Wednesday 22 May from 9.30am to 10.30am [session finished]

Information session for the real estate industry

• Thursday 16 May from 9.30am to 10.30am [session finished]

Information session for the construction industry

• Monday 20 May from 4.00pm to 5.00pm [session finished]

Information session for businesses

• Tuesday 21 May from 9.30am to 10.30am [session finished]

Consultation is open until Sunday 2 June 2024.

For more information and to have your say, visit haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/modernisation-of-the-electrical-safety-laws