What counts as electrical installation work
The line is fixed wiring. Anything that's wired into the building rather than plugged into it is installation work and needs a licence:
- New or moved power points, light switches and light fittings.
- New circuits for a kitchen, bathroom, laundry or extension.
- Hard-wired appliances: ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, hot water systems, air conditioners.
- Ceiling fans, exhaust fans, downlights, outdoor lighting.
- Hard-wired smoke alarms, which are required in renovated and new areas (see our SA smoke alarm rules guide).
- Switchboard changes and any extra circuit breakers or safety switches.
- Data and TV cabling is a separate licence class but usually the same electrician.
Replacing a light globe, plugging in a fridge and changing a battery in a smoke alarm are not installation work. Changing a light fitting, a power point or a switch is, even if it looks simple.
What the Certificate of Compliance is
Under South Australia's electrical safety regulations, a licensed electrical contractor must certify that installation work complies with the Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000) and give a copy to the person who engaged them. Where the work involves the connection to the network, such as a new switchboard or a changed service, SA Power Networks is notified too. The certificate carries the contractor's licence number and describes the work. It's your evidence, and it's what a conveyancer, an insurer or a building inspector will ask for if anything's ever queried.
What to ask before the builder starts
- Who's the licensed electrical contractor on the job, and what's their licence number? You can check it on the Consumer and Business Services public register.
- Will a Certificate of Compliance be issued for all the electrical work, and when?
- Does the switchboard have room for the new circuits, and does it have safety switches?
- Are hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms included for the renovated areas?
- Who's doing the data, TV and any security cabling?
What to add while the walls are open
A renovation is the one time adding a circuit costs almost nothing extra, because the cable route is already open. Things worth adding while the plaster's off:
- Safety switches on every circuit, if the board doesn't already have them.
- A dedicated circuit for the kitchen appliances, and another for a home office.
- More power points than you think you need. Nobody's ever complained about too many.
- Provision for a future air conditioner, EV charger or solar, even if it's just a conduit and a spare way in the board.
- USB outlets, outdoor power, and lighting circuits split so you can switch zones separately.
Our residential electrical service works with builders and directly with owners on renovations across Adelaide's western suburbs. If you're at the planning stage, a 20-minute look at the plans and the board is free and usually saves a variation later.
Need this done rather than read about? See residential electrician or request a free quote.