Online videos make it look easy. Turn off the power, undo a couple of screws, swap the power point, done. So it’s a fair question: can you do your own electrical work in Victoria?
The short answer is no. Not even small jobs.
Checked against Energy Safe Victoria guidance on 7 October 2026.
What the law says
In Victoria, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Energy Safe Victoria, the state’s electrical safety regulator, is clear that doing unqualified electrical work isn’t only extremely dangerous, it’s also illegal. It specifically says electrical work isn’t a DIY job, “even for small jobs such as changing power points or light switches”.
That rule applies to homeowners working on their own homes, landlords working on rental properties, and handy friends or family members who aren’t licensed.
Why the rules are so strict
- Electric shock can kill. Household power can stop your heart. A mistake doesn’t need to be big to be fatal.
- Faults can hide for years. A loose connection or reversed wire might seem fine at first, then overheat and start a fire long after the job is done.
- The next person is at risk too. A future owner, renter or electrician may assume the wiring was done correctly.
- Problems with insurance. If a fire or injury is linked to unlicensed work, it may complicate an insurance claim.
What counts as electrical work?
If it involves your home’s fixed wiring, it’s electrical work. That includes:
- replacing or adding power points and light switches
- installing or replacing light fittings and downlights
- installing ceiling fans
- installing or replacing hard-wired smoke alarms
- anything inside the switchboard
- running new cables or extending circuits
- connecting hard-wired appliances like ovens, cooktops and hot water systems
What you can safely do yourself
There are still plenty of everyday things you can do:
- change a light globe, with the light switched off
- reset a tripped safety switch or circuit breaker
- press the Test button on your safety switches. Energy Safe Victoria recommends doing this once a year
- replace the battery in a battery-powered smoke alarm
- plug in and unplug appliances
- use plug-in solar garden lights and battery-powered devices
If something on that list doesn’t fix the problem, stop there and call an electrician.
Bought a home with DIY wiring?
It’s common to find amateur wiring in older homes, sheds, garages and extensions. Signs include unusual or mismatched fittings, power points in odd places, extension leads permanently fixed to walls, and cables run loosely across roof spaces.
If you’re worried, get it inspected. We test the installation, make anything unsafe safe, and tell you honestly what needs fixing.
Common DIY mistakes we find
- active and neutral wires reversed, so a switched-off light is still live
- loose terminals that overheat over time
- cables run without protection through walls and roofs
- outdoor power points that aren’t weatherproof
- undersized cable for the load
- circuits added without safety switch protection
Many of these don’t show up straight away. That’s exactly why the work needs to be done, tested and certified by a licensed electrician.
Tips for hiring an electrician
- Get a clear quote in writing for anything more than a small job.
- Bundle small jobs into one visit to keep costs down.
- Ask how long the job will take and how much disruption to expect.
- Make sure you get a Certificate of Electrical Safety at the end.
How to check your electrician is licensed
- Ask for their licence number and the Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) number of the business.
- Search Energy Safe Victoria’s public register to confirm they’re licensed.
- Make sure you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work. Read what a Certificate of Electrical Safety is.
Small jobs don’t have to cost much, especially if you bundle a few together. Read our price guide, or send us a photo and we’ll quote it.
Source
If you’re renovating, plan the electrical work early. Your electrician can run cables before walls are lined, which is quicker and cheaper than adding things later. Tell them about any appliances, lights or power points you might want down the track, so the wiring is ready for them.
Got a small job that needs a licensed electrician?
We’re a family-owned, licensed electrical business based in Point Cook, with more than 25 years of experience. We work across Williams Landing, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and the rest of Melbourne’s west, and we take emergency calls 24/7. Find out more about our power points and rewiring service.
Call us on 0405 418 132, or send a few details and a photo of the job. Every job is quoted before we start.