Electrical safety laws

Electrical safety in the Northern Territory is regulated under the Electrical Safety Act 2022 (the Act) and the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 (the Regulations).

The Act creates the position of the Electrical Safety Regulator who monitors and regulates electrical safety standards in the Northern Territory. The Electrical Safety Regulator is also responsible for issuing and administering electrical licences.

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

The Regulations provide for the installation, testing and certification of electrical work carried out. Electrical contractors and workers are required to:

• consult with their customers
• provide an electrical installation that is fit for purpose
• test the electrical installation to ensure it is safe to use, and
• provide their customers with a Certificate of Compliance for the work performed.

The Regulations also detail the duties of homeowners and members of the public in ensuring electrical safety.

Electrical safety provisions in the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011

The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011, Part 4.7 – General electrical safety in workplaces and energised electrical work has been repealed.  For convenience, consistency and to ensure that legal requirements with respect to electrical safety and energised electrical work are found in one overall piece of legislation, these regulations are now set out in the Electrical Safety Regulations which came into force on 1 July 2024.