In December 2025, a Mullaloo homeowner paid Neil Alan Watson to install a double power point in their garage. He seemed professional. He gave them a quote. He turned up and did the work. What they did not know — and had no reason to suspect — was that Watson’s electrical contractor’s licence had expired in 2014, and his electrical worker’s licence in 2018. He had not held any valid licence for over a decade. When the case reached Joondalup Magistrates Court, Watson was fined $20,000.

The homeowner was not negligent. They were trusting. And in Perth, trusting is not enough.

Hiring an unlicensed electrician does not just mean inferior workmanship. It means any electrical work done is not certified, not inspected, and not covered by your home insurance. If something goes wrong — a wiring fault, an electrical fire, an earth fault that causes a shock — you are personally liable. The presence of a van, a uniform, and a confident manner tells you nothing about whether the person standing in your hallway is legally authorised to touch your switchboard.

What follows is not the generic advice you will find everywhere else — it is the specific WA steps that actually protect you when choosing an electrician in Perth.

Why hiring the wrong electrician in Perth is more than an inconvenience

Western Australia’s electrical licensing laws exist because electricity kills. At 240 volts, even a brief contact with live wiring can cause cardiac arrest. Fire caused by poor electrical work is one of the most common causes of residential house fires in Australia.

The licensing system — administered by Building and Energy, the WA State electrical safety regulator — ensures that every person who touches fixed electrical installations has passed through a minimum of four years of supervised training, holds tested competencies, and carries insurance that protects both them and you.

All licensed electrical work in WA must also comply with AS/NZS 3000 — the Australian Wiring Rules — the national standard that sets the minimum safety requirements for every fixed electrical installation in the country.

When that system is bypassed, consequences follow. In February 2026, a Perth company called Jaccob Pty Ltd was fined $12,000 for 19 separate instances of unlicensed electrical work carried out over just six weeks. Magistrate Elaine Campione described the conduct as a “significant breach” of an “important licensing scheme” designed for safety and financial protection.

In April 2026, a renovator operating as Renovate Right, Reginald Noel Byrne, was fined $3,000 for installing socket outlets and relocating a light switch during a laundry renovation in Atwell. He had never held an electrical licence of any kind.

These are not rare edge cases. Building and Energy publishes a prosecution register at wa.gov.au with dozens of cases every year. The cases that make the news are the ones that go to court. The ones that don’t are the jobs that have already been done, without certification, on the home you are living in right now.

In our own work across Perth — from Joondalup to Fremantle to Baldivis — we are called in to inspect electrical work multiple times a year where the previous operator left no certificate, no paperwork, and a phone number that no longer connects. The homeowner often has no idea the work was unlicensed until an inspection, a property sale, or a failed appliance reveals what was underneath.

The practical consequence is this: if you cannot prove your electrical work was done by a licensed contractor, your insurer can refuse a claim related to that work. The financial exposure from a single house fire can be catastrophic.

The good news: the check takes two minutes and costs nothing.

Step 1: Verify the licence before anything else — and how to do it in WA right now

Knowing what to look for when choosing an electrician in Perth starts with one step that takes less time than a Google search.

In Western Australia, you can confirm whether any electrician or electrical contractor is currently licensed in under two minutes.

  1. Go to ols.demirs.wa.gov.au— the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) Online Licence Search
  2. Select ‘Electrical Licence’ from the licence type dropdown
  3. Enter the contractor’s name, business name, or their EC number (more on that below)
  4. Confirm the status shows ‘Current’ and check the expiry date is valid

That’s it. If the search returns no result, or the licence status shows ‘Expired’, ‘Cancelled’, or ‘Suspended’, do not proceed. No matter how professional the quote looks or how many positive reviews they have on a jobs platform, an expired licence is a disqualifying fact.

From 1 April 2026, DEMIRS updated WA’s licensing framework. The previous Electrical Worker’s Licence and Electrical Installer’s Licence categories were consolidated into a single Electrical Tradesperson Licence. If you are searching for someone who has held a licence for some years, their record may appear under the new category. The search tool is updated — just ensure the result is current.

You can also check via the ServiceWA app on your phone. This is the fastest option if you are standing in front of a tradesperson and want to verify on the spot without making it obvious you are doing so.

How do I check if an electrician is licensed in Western Australia?

Go to ols.demirs.wa.gov.au, select ‘Electrical Licence’, and enter the contractor’s name or EC number. The search is free, public, and takes under two minutes. If the result shows anything other than ‘Current’, do not proceed — an expired or cancelled licence is a legal disqualification, not a technicality. You can also check via the ServiceWA app.

But a current licence tells you the contractor is authorised. It does not tell you which licence they hold — and that distinction matters.

Step 2: Understand the difference between an Electrical Worker’s Licence and an Electrical Contractor’s Licence

Knowing what to look for when hiring an electrician in Perth means understanding which licence covers which role — because the two are not interchangeable.

There are two separate licences relevant to residential electrical work in Perth, and they do different things.

The Electrical Worker’s Licence (now called the Electrical Tradesperson Licence from April 2026) authorises an individual to physically carry out electrical work. A licensed electrician on your job site should hold this.

The Electrical Contractor’s Licence authorises a business to contract for electrical work — that is, to take on the job, quote for it, and employ licensed workers to carry it out. The contractor is legally responsible for the quality, compliance, and certification of the work performed.

When you hire an electrician, you are almost always hiring from an electrical contractor — either a company or a sole trader operating with an Electrical Contractor’s Licence. The contractor’s EC number must appear on their quote, their invoice, and any advertising. This is a legal requirement under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, not a voluntary practice. If a quote arrives in your inbox without an EC number, that absence alone is a reason to pause.

The practical check: look for the letters “EC” followed by five or six digits somewhere on the quote or invoice. Then enter that EC number into ols.demirs.wa.gov.au to confirm the licence is current.

Now you know what a legitimate licence looks like. Here is what a legitimate quote looks like.

Step 3: Ask for a written, itemised quote — and know what it must include under WA law

One of the clearest indicators of a professional electrician in Perth is how they handle quoting — before anything else is agreed.

A legitimate Perth electrician will always provide a written quote before any work begins. The quote should clearly separate labour, materials, any callout or service fee, and the total amount including GST.

Under WA Consumer Protection guidelines, you are entitled to a written quote for electrical work. If a tradesperson asks you to agree verbally to work starting without providing a written breakdown, that is a red flag. For context on what a fair Perth rate looks like in 2026, see our current electrician cost guide — it covers the full hourly rate range, callout fee breakdown, and a job-by-job price list for common residential work.

A legitimate written quote will include:

  • The electrical contractor’s full legal name and business name
  • Their EC (Electrical Contractor) licence number
  • An itemised breakdown of labour and materials
  • The callout or service fee is disclosed as a separate line item
  • A total cost including GST
  • The scope of work is described specifically — not just “electrical work”
  • A quote validity period

If you receive a quote that presents a single round number with no itemisation, ask for a breakdown before agreeing. A professional contractor will provide one without hesitation. One that pushes back has given you useful information.

Do electricians in Perth have to give you a written quote?

There is no single law that mandates a written quote for all electrical work in WA, but WA Consumer Protection strongly recommends it, and your rights are significantly stronger with one. Any reputable Perth electrician should provide a written, itemised quote before work begins. If they will not, that unwillingness is itself a warning sign worth acting on.

Step 4: Check for the EC number — on the quote, on the invoice, and in the DMIRS search

For Perth homeowners comparing electricians, the EC number is the fastest credibility check available.

The EC number is the fastest and most reliable single check available to Perth homeowners. Under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, every licensed electrical contractor in WA must display their EC number on:

  • All advertising (website, vehicle, business cards)
  • Every quote issued to a client
  • Every invoice issued after the work is completed

If any of those three are missing the EC number, the contractor is either unlicensed or non-compliant with their licence conditions. Both are reasons not to proceed.

The EC number can be verified directly at ols.demirs.wa.gov.au. You do not need to take the contractor’s word for it — the licence register is public, free, and takes seconds to use. Brillare’s EC number appears on every quote and every invoice we issue. You are welcome to check it before you book.

What is an EC number on an electrician’s invoice?

An EC number is the Electrical Contractor licence number issued by DEMIRS to licensed electrical contracting businesses in WA. Under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, it must appear on all quotes, invoices, and advertising. It is your fastest way to verify a contractor’s credentials — enter it at ols.demirs.wa.gov.au to confirm the licence is current.

The paperwork is the floor. These four questions are how you find the electricians who are well above it.

Step 5: Confirm insurance, workmanship guarantee, and the Certificate of Electrical Safety

The documents and protections associated with a job tell you as much about an electrician as the work itself.

Public liability insurance is a legal requirement for licensed electrical contractors in WA. It protects you if something goes wrong during the job — a damaged wall, a broken fixture, or an injury on your property. Before work starts, ask the contractor to confirm they hold current public liability insurance. Reputable contractors carry this as a matter of course and will confirm it without hesitation.

Workmanship guarantee: A professional electrician will stand behind their work. Ask about the warranty on labour and on any materials or equipment they supply. Most reputable Perth contractors offer a 12-month minimum guarantee on workmanship.

Certificate of Electrical Safety: This is the document you need to keep. Under WA regulations, a licensed electrical contractor must issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety within 28 days of completing any electrical installation work. This certificate confirms that the work has been tested and complies with the Australian Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000). You need this certificate for:

  • Insurance purposes in the event of a fault or fire
  • Property sale — settlement agents require it
  • Rental properties — property managers and tenants may request it
  • Any future inspection by a Building and Energy inspector

If you had electrical work done recently and never received this certificate, contact the contractor and request it. They are legally required to provide it. If they cannot or will not, report the matter to Building and Energy via their website.

Work that requires a Certificate of Electrical Safety in WA includes switchboard upgrades, EV charger installations, and hardwired smoke alarm installations, among many other jobs.

What is a Certificate of Electrical Safety in WA?

A Certificate of Electrical Safety is a document a licensed electrical contractor must issue within 28 days of completing any electrical installation work in WA. It confirms the work was tested and complies with AS/NZS 3000 — the Australian Wiring Rules. You need it for insurance claims, property sales, and any future regulatory inspection. If you did not receive one after recent electrical work, you are entitled to request it.

Every Brillare job comes with a written, itemised quote, a licensed WA electrician on every visit, and a Certificate of Electrical Safety issued within 28 days as standard. Call 08 9415 0762 or request your free quote online.

Step 6: Ask the four questions that reveal whether you are dealing with a professional

Once the credentials are confirmed, how you choose between electricians in Perth comes down to these four questions.

A professional electrician will answer all four without hesitation. The answers themselves are less important than the quality and confidence with which they are given.

In our experience across Perth jobs, the no-live-work question alone tells you a great deal. On a recent switchboard job in Rockingham, the homeowner mentioned their previous electrician had told them it was “fine to work live on small jobs.” It is not fine — it is a known safety risk and a sign that standards are being cut. Our team isolates every circuit before touching any installation, regardless of how minor the work appears. That is not a preference; it is how licensed, compliant electrical work is done.

What questions should I ask an electrician before hiring?

Ask these four: Do you have a no-live-work policy? Can you provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety after the job? Do you carry current public liability insurance? What is your EC licence number? A professional Perth electrician will answer all four immediately and without hesitation. Any evasion or uncertainty on any of these is a reason to look elsewhere.

  1. Do you have a no live work policy? Working on live circuits — where the power is on and the wiring is energised — is dangerous and is not standard practice among qualified electricians. Reputable contractors will isolate the circuit before working on any installation. If a tradesperson indicates they prefer to work live, or seems unfamiliar with the question, treat it as a warning sign.
  2. Can you provide a certificate of electrical safety after the job? This question is a test as much as a genuine inquiry. A licensed contractor will answer immediately that yes, they will provide one within 28 days for any installing work. A non-compliant or unlicensed operator will typically not know what this document is, will hedge, or will say it is not applicable. It almost always is.
  3. Do you carry public liability insurance? Yes or no. If yes, any reputable contractor will tell you the insurer and policy type without needing to look it up. If they are unsure or say insurance is not necessary, end the conversation.
  4. What is your EC licence number? Asking directly is not rude — it is sensible. Their answer should match what you see in the DEMIRS online search. If they provide a number that returns no result, or hesitate in a way that suggests they are searching for it, the answer to the question has been given.

Everything above tells you what the right contractor looks like. Here is how to spot the wrong one before they start.

Red flags — specific warning signs Perth homeowners should act on immediately

The following are not theoretical concerns. They are patterns that appear repeatedly in WA Building and Energy prosecution cases, Consumer Protection WA complaints, and Perth homeowner forums.

No EC number on the quote or invoice. This is legally non-compliant, full stop.

Significantly below-market pricing. Licensed, insured electricians operating in compliance with the Electrical Award have real cost floors. A quote that is dramatically cheaper than every other quote you have received is not a bargain — it is an indicator that something has been removed from the picture. That something is usually licensing, insurance, or the certificate of compliance.

Unwillingness to provide a written quote. Legitimate contractors quote in writing. Verbal-only pricing, particularly with pressure to agree before receiving anything in writing, is a pattern associated with unqualified operators.

Resistance to the licence check question. In 2024, two plumbers employed by a large Perth company were prosecuted after providing unlicensed electrical assessments of homeowners’ switchboards, recommending unnecessary work, and having vulnerable customers sign up for it. When Building and Energy inspectors later reviewed those switchboards, they found no issues with the installations. The Magistrate described the conduct as “morally offensive”. The pattern began with an unsolicited offer of help from someone presenting professional credentials they did not hold for the work they were doing.

No response to a Certificate of Electrical Safety request. If you ask and they do not know what it is, you now know what you need to know.

How to use the ECA WA and other professional bodies to verify and shortlist

The Electrical Contractors Association of Western Australia (ECA WA) is the peak body for licensed electrical contractors in WA. Member businesses receive ongoing safety and technical support, are subject to industry standards, and are bound by a code of conduct. You can search for member contractors at ecawa.org.au.

ECA WA membership is not a licensing requirement — a licensed contractor may or may not be a member — but it is an additional signal of professional commitment. When shortlisting between comparable quotes from contractors you cannot otherwise distinguish, ECA WA membership is a useful positive indicator.

The Master Electricians Australia (MEA) programme is the national equivalent. Member businesses display the Master Electricians mark, which requires demonstrated compliance with safety and quality standards.

Neither of these body memberships replaces the DEMIRS licence check. Use them in addition to — not instead of — verifying the EC number.

For additional guidance on WA electrical compliance and regulatory standards, including what specific types of work require formal notification and certification, Brillare’s full compliance guide covers every category.

Your rights as a Perth homeowner when hiring an electrician

You have more legal protection than most homeowners realise, and enforcing those rights requires nothing more than knowing they exist.

The right to a written quote. WA Consumer Protection confirms that you can and should request a written quote before agreeing to any work. A consumer who agrees verbally to work commencing without a written breakdown has less recourse if the final invoice does not match expectations.

The right to a Certificate of Electrical Safety. For any installing work — new circuits, modifications to existing wiring, new fixed connections — your contractor must provide this certificate within 28 days. It is not optional and not at the contractor’s discretion. If you do not receive it, file a complaint with Building and Energy at 1300 489 099.

The right to verify the licence. The public licence register at ols.demirs.wa.gov.au exists for consumers. Using it is not distrustful — it is exercising a right the WA Government built into the system specifically for homeowners.

The right to report unlicensed work. If you believe electrical work has been or is being carried out without a licence, you can report it to Building and Energy. Reports have led directly to the prosecutions referenced in this article. The system works when consumers use it.

If something goes wrong: Contact Building and Energy. The regulator has enforcement powers and can inspect completed work, require rectification, and pursue contractors for unsafe or non-compliant installations. Consumer Protection WA provides dispute resolution support for billing and service disputes.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed electrician in WA?

Hiring an unlicensed electrician in WA creates significant personal exposure. The work will not be certified or inspected; your home insurer can refuse any claim linked to that installation, and if something goes wrong, you may face personal liability. The unlicensed operator can be prosecuted under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 — recent WA fines have ranged from $3,000 to $20,000 — but that prosecution does not undo the uncertified work in your home.

For further questions about any specific job type, Brillare’s FAQ covers the most common residential and commercial electrical questions in Perth.

The two-minute summary

If you take nothing else from this guide, take this:

Before any Perth electrician starts work at your property, spend two minutes at ols.demirs.wa.gov.au. Enter the contractor’s name or their EC number. Confirm the licence status shows ‘Current’. That single step is the most effective protection available to you when hiring an electrician in Perth.

Everything else — the written quote, the four questions, the certificate of safety, the ECA WA membership — builds on that foundation. But the foundation is the licence check.

Brillare’s EC number is on every quote and every invoice we issue. You can verify it at ols.demirs.wa.gov.au before you book. That is how confident we are in our licensing and our work.

Get a free, itemised quote from Brillare