Summary of electrical safety law amendments

Repeal Part 8 Electrical Safety Regulations

On 28 May 2026, the following regulations were repealed from Part 8 of the Electrical Safety Regulations 2024.

• Regulation 184 - Notice to purchaser of land about potential risks

The seller of a residential property must give the buyer a written notice before settlement outlining any relevant electrical safety risks or compliance issues on the property.

• Regulation 185 - Duty of purchaser to rectify potential risks

The purchaser who buys a residential property must take all reasonably practical steps to ensure the property's electrical installation meets specified safety requirements. Any work needed to meet these requirements must be completed within 90 days of settlement, unless the Electrical Safety Regulator allows more time.

• Regulation 186 - Notice to purchaser of land about approved safety switches

The seller of a residential property must give the buyer a written notice before the buyer takes possession confirming whether the required safety switches are installed and providing details of any testing and faults.

• Regulation 187 - Notice to Electrical Safety Regulator – approved safety switches

The seller of a residential property must provide the Electrical Safety Regulator with a copy of the safety switch notice within 90 days after the property transfer.

• Regulation 188 - Duty of purchaser to install approved safety switches

Buyers of residential properties must ensure approved safety switches are installed for all general power outlets, and from 1 July 2028, for all other electrical circuits. Any required installation work must be completed within 90 days of the property transfer unless more time is approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator.

• Regulation 189 - Testing of safety switches for residential premises subject to tenancy agreement

Landlords must ensure all safety switches are tested within 30 days of a new tenancy starting and have any faulty switches repaired or replaced by a licensed electrician. During the tenancy, renters must test safety switches at least once every 12 months and notify the landlord if any are not working. Landlords must then arrange testing, repair, or replacement of any faulty safety switches.

• Regulation 190 - Installation of approved safety switch for residential premises subject to tenancy agreement

Landlords must ensure approved safety switches are installed for all general power outlets before a tenancy begins, and from 1 July 2028, for all other electrical circuits. The installation must be completed as soon as reasonably practical after the landlord becomes aware of the upcoming tenancy.

Certificates of compliance

On 15 April 2026, section 42 of the Electrical Safety Act 2022 was amended to exempt the requirement to complete a Certificate of Compliance for ‘like-for-like’ electrical replacement work.

A like-for-like electrical replacement is the installation of a new electrical product in the same location as the old one and does not require the alteration to the existing supply conductors nor circuit protection.

This meets the definition of a repair as described in Clause 1.9.3.2 of AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules.

Addition information is available in the Technical Update: Certificate of Compliance no longer required for Like-for-Like electrical replacements.

Amendments to disciplinary proceedings under the Electrical Safety Act 2022

On 13 August 2026, the following sections were amended in the Electrical Safety Act 2022.

Section 104 – Composition of the Electrical Safety Board

• The Board now consists of seven general members
• A legal member has replaced the former Discipline Committee Chairperson as a member of the Board
• The legal member must be a legal practitioner who has practised in the Northern Territory for at least three years
• The legal member is the only Board member who is not required to have experience or competence in relation to electrical safety.

Section 107 – Times of Board meetings

• Section 107 has been amended to recognise that meetings relating to disciplinary matters may also be called by the legal member, in accordance with section.

Section 108 – Conduct of proceedings

• Section 108 has been amended to apply the new disciplinary meeting and decision-making arrangements in section 109
• The quorum requirements for disciplinary matters have been updated
• The provisions for resolutions made without a Board meeting have been amended to reference section 109(2).

Section 109 – Decisions relating to disciplinary action

• Part 5, Division 3 has been replaced with a new section 109
• Section 109(1) sets out the requirements for Board meetings relating to disciplinary action, including:
  • the legal member must preside
  • at least one representative of electrical workers or employers must be present
  • a quorum of three members applies
  • the legal member may call meetings relating to disciplinary action.
• Section 109(2) provides for resolutions relating to disciplinary action to be made without a meeting.
• Section 109(3) requires the legal member to be present for all Board proceedings relating to disciplinary action.
• Section 109(4) defines the term legal member.

Schedule 1 – Consequential amendments

• Schedule 1 makes consequential amendments throughout the Electrical Safety Act 2022 to reflect the abolition of the Discipline Committee and the transfer of its functions to the Electrical Safety Board.