Electrical work licenses & endorsements

An unrestricted electrical mechanic licence is equivalent to an electrical mechanic grade A licence issued under the Electrical Workers and Contractors Licensing Act 1978. It entitles the licensee to do or supervise the following electrical work:

• install or change an electrical installation or electric line
• maintain and repair electrical equipment and connecting electrical equipment to a source of electricity.

To be eligible to apply for an unrestricted electrical mechanic licence, an applicant must :

• complete a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• complete an apprenticeship in the Northern Territory under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• during that apprenticeship, obtain at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical mechanic.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas must have:

• successfully complete a course of instruction and training, relevant to the Australian context at a training organisation accredited in a place outside Australia
• obtain, during that training, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical mechanic
• be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia and issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record in the class of 34111 Electrician (General).

An unrestricted electrical mechanic and fitter licence is a new kind of unrestricted electrical work licence under the Electrical Safety Act 2022. It allows the licensee to do or supervise all electrical work, including:

• install or change an electrical installation or electric line
• maintain, repair and connect an item of electrical equipment to a source of electricity
• make, operate, test or repair electrical equipment.

To be eligible to apply for an unrestricted electrical mechanic and fitter licence, an applicant must:

• complete a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• complete an apprenticeship in the Territory under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• during that apprenticeship, obtain at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical mechanic and at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical fitter.

The holder of an unrestricted electrical mechanic licence is eligible to apply for an unrestricted electrical mechanic and fitter licence if the worker satisfies the Electrical Safety Regulator that they have sufficient knowledge of the trade of electrical fitter through an examination approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator, or evidence of at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical fitter.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas are not eligible to apply for this category of unrestricted work licence.

An air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment work endorsement entitles the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• disconnect and reconnect fixed wired electrical equipment
• attach plugs and cords to 250 volts
• attach plugs and cords to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC
• fault finding to determine component failure in equipment to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of a refrigeration mechanic under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
• successfully complete the course of instruction for an air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic at a registered training organisation.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas must have:

• successfully complete a course of instruction and training, relevant to the Australian context, at a training organisation accredited in the place outside Australia
• obtain, during that training, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
• be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia and issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record in the class of 342111 Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic.

NOTE: This endorsement is only available under an apprenticeship contract.

A disconnect and reconnect work endorsement – basic electrical equipment allows the licensee to disconnect and reconnect composite equipment, control devices and motors.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for disconnect and reconnect – electrical equipment connected to low voltage installation wiring, or its equivalent, at a registered training organisation
• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship as a diesel fitter/mechanical fitter
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in diesel fitting/mechanical fitting work.

A disconnect and reconnect work endorsement – water heaters allows the licensee to disconnect and reconnect electric water cylinders, water reticulation systems, irrigation systems including pumps, oil-fired heating and water reticulated air-conditioning systems to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for disconnect and reconnect – electrical equipment connected to low voltage installation wiring, or its equivalent, at a registered training organisation
• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship as a plumber under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the work of a plumber
• hold a licence or registration issued under the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Act 1983.

A disconnect and reconnect work endorsement – explosion protected equipment allows the licensee to disconnect and reconnect appliances and control devices connected to low voltage installation wiring.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for disconnect and reconnect – electrical equipment connected to low voltage installation wiring, or its equivalent, at a registered training organisation
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for electrical equipment in hazardous areas, or its equivalent, at a registered training organisation
• demonstrate at least 12 months work experience relevant to disconnect and reconnect work for electrical equipment in explosion protected areas
• demonstrate a need to disconnect and reconnect electrical equipment in explosion protected areas.

A disconnect and reconnect work endorsement – self-propelled, high-voltage earthmoving equipment allows the licensee to disconnect and reconnect electric propulsion components of engine driven, self-propelled earth moving equipment vehicles operating up to 3300 V.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for disconnect and reconnect – electrical equipment connected to high voltage installation wiring, or its equivalent, at a registered training organisation
• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship as a heavy vehicle fitter/mechanic under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• demonstrate at least 12 months experience as a diesel fitter/mechanical fitter.

A domestic appliances and equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• disconnect and reconnect fixed wired cooking appliances to 250 volts
• fault finding to determine component failure in appliances connected both by plug and cord and fixed wiring up to 250 volts.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete a traineeship in the trade of domestic appliance service technician under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that traineeship, at least 6 months experience in the trade work of domestic appliance service
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for domestic appliance service at a registered training organisation
• complete a training course approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator for domestic appliances and equipment work.

An applicant who does not meet the eligibility criteria above, can still apply for the domestic appliances and equipment work endorsement if the applicant satisfies the Electrical Safety Regulator that they have sufficient knowledge of the trade of domestic appliance service by:

• demonstrating at least 12 months experience in the trade work of appliance repair, and
• if the Electrical Safety Regulator approves an examination for domestic appliances and equipment work – successfully passing that examination.

An electrical cable jointer work endorsement allows the licensee to perform electrical work installing, jointing and terminating covered cables.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of electric cable jointer under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in electric cable jointing work
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for laying, cable jointing and terminating of underground polymeric cables at a registered training organisation.

An electrical fitter work endorsement allows the licensee to make, operate, test or repair electrical equipment.

Eligibility requirement

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of electrical fitter under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electrical fitter
• successfully complete the course of instruction for electrical fitter worker at a registered training organisation.

An electrical line work endorsement – distribution allows the licensee to install, test or repair electric lines that are restricted to distribution only.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in a relevant trade under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the associated trade work
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for electrical line worker at a registered training organisation.

An electrical line work endorsement – transmission entitles the licensee to install, test or repair electric lines that are restricted to transmission only.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in a relevant trade under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the associated trade work
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for electrical line worker at a registered training organisation.

An electronics and communication equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• attach flexible cords and plugs to electrical equipment to 250 volts
• attach flexible cords and plugs to electrical equipment to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC
• attach flexible cables and plugs to electrical equipment connected to high voltage.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of electronics and communication technician under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade of electronics and communication technician
• successfully complete the course of instruction for electronics and communication at a registered training organisation.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas must:

• successfully complete a course of instruction and training, relevant to the Australian context, at a training organisation accredited in the place outside Australia
• obtain, during that training, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electronics and communication technician
• be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia and issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record in the class of 342313 Electronics and Communication Technician.

A fire protection equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to install, test and inspect electrical equipment for fire protection.

A fire protection equipment work endorsement does not allow the licensee to perform or supervise electrical installation work.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of fire protection under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of a fire protection equipment technician
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for fire protection equipment technician at a registered training organisation
• complete a training course approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator for a fire protection equipment work endorsement.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas must:

• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for fire protection equipment technician at a training organisation accredited in the place outside Australia
• obtain, during that training, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of a fire protection equipment worker
• be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia and issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record in the class of 399918 Fire Protection Equipment.

A gas equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• disconnect and reconnect type A or B gas equipment or components, including fault finding to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC
• attach plugs and cords to 250 volts
• fault finding to determine component failure in type A or B gas equipment to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of gas fitting under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of gas fitting
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for gas fitting at a registered training organisation
• holds a gas fitter certificate issued under the Dangerous Goods Regulations 1985
• if the Electrical Safety Regulator approves a training course for a gas equipment work endorsement – successfully completed that course.

An instrumentation and process control equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• disconnect and reconnect process control devices (PCDs)
• repair and replace plugs and cords to 250 volts AC on PCDs
• repair and replace plugs and cords to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC on PCDs
• locate and repair faults in PCDs to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC;
• if trained in a recognised associated trade – modifying PCDs.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of instrumentation and process control under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an instrumentation and process control technician
• successfully complete the course of instruction for an instrumentation and process control technician at a registered training organisation.

Overseas trained applicants

Applicants trained overseas must:

• successfully complete a course of instruction and training, relevant to the Australian context, at a training organisation accredited in the place outside Australia
• obtain, during that training, at least 12 months experience in the trade work of an electronic instrument trades worker
• be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia and issued with an Offshore Technical Skills Record in the class of 342314 Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General).

A maritime operations work endorsement allows the licensee to maintain and repair electrical equipment on maritime vessels.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• completed an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of maritime operations under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the work of a marine engine driver
• complete a Certificate III in Maritime Operations or a training course approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator for maritime operations.

A specialised commercial and industrial equipment work endorsement entitles the licensee to perform the following electrical work:

• disconnect and reconnect commercial and industrial equipment to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC
• attach plugs and cords to 250 volts
• attach plugs and cords to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC
• fault finding to determine component failure in commercial and industrial equipment to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete a traineeship in the trade of industrial service technician under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that traineeship, at least 6 months experience in the trade work of commercial and industrial equipment service
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for industrial automation and control at a registered training organisation
• complete a training course approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator for commercial and industrial equipment work.

An applicant who does not meet the above criteria, they can still apply for a specialised commercial and industrial equipment work endorsement if the applicant satisfies the Electrical Safety Regulator that they have sufficient knowledge of the trade of industrial service technician by:

• demonstrate at least 12 months experience in the trade work of industrial service
• pass an examination for specialised commercial and industrial equipment work conducted or approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator
• satisfy the Electrical Safety Regulator, by an examination conducted or approved by the Electrical Safety Regulator, that the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the trade of industrial service technician.

A water plumbing equipment work endorsement allows the licensee to disconnect and reconnect electric water cylinders, water reticulation systems, irrigation systems including pumps and oil fired heating and water reticulated air conditioning systems to 1000 volts AC or 1500 volts DC.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in the trade of plumbing under the Training and Skills Development Act 2016
• obtain, during that apprenticeship or traineeship, at least 12 months experience in the work of a plumber
• successfully complete a relevant course of instruction for plumbing at a registered training organisation
• hold a licence or registration issued under the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Act 1983
• if the Electrical Safety Regulator approves a training course for a water plumbing equipment endorsement – successfully completed that course.

The Electrical Safety Regulator may create an endorsement a restricted electrical work licence for other electrical work specified by the Electrical Safety Regulator that is not otherwise covered by the current list of endorsements.

The Electrical Safety Regulator will publish any endorsement it creates  on the NT WorkSafe website.

Eligibility requirements

An applicant must meet the following criteria:

• successfully complete any training requirements specified by the Electrical Safety Regulator for the endorsement
• obtain, during that training, experience in the required field as specified by the Electrical Safety Regulator for the endorsement
• hold any other licence or registration required by the Electrical Safety Regulator.