Do You Need a New Queensland Electrical Contractor Licence After Restructuring?

Changing from an individual to a corporation, or from a corporation to an individual, can trigger a new electrical contractor licence application because the entity has changed. WorkSafe Queensland’s guidance, published 31 May 2024, says a new application requires a nominated qualified technical person (QTP) or qualified business person (QBP) for training requirements introduced on 1 July 2018; a QTP must have held a current Queensland electrical work licence for at least two years. Public liability insurance must also be in the entity’s name and meet section 51 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.

Figures checked 1 October 2026.

What kinds of restructuring can trigger a new licence?

WorkSafe Queensland describes a change of entity as the trigger for considering a new electrical contractor licence application. The guidance gives changes in both directions as examples:

The regulator says a licence holder considering restructuring as an individual, partnership or corporation may need a new electrical contractor licence. The relevant issue is whether the entity holding the licence is changing, rather than simply changing the business’s trading name.

Who must be nominated for the new application?

A new licence application requires a nominated QTP or QBP to meet the training requirements introduced on 1 July 2018.

If nominating a QTP, check the licence history before applying. The current-licence requirement is for at least two years, not simply two years since the person first worked in the electrical industry.

Whose name must appear on the public liability insurance?

The public liability policy must be in the entity’s name and meet the requirements of section 51 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.

That means checking both sides of the arrangement:

• The insured entity must match the entity requiring the electrical contractor licence.
• The cover must meet the applicable requirements under section 51.

Do not assume that insurance held under a previous individual or corporate structure automatically satisfies the requirement for the restructured entity. Check the policy documents and confirm the named insured entity.

What should a business that has already restructured do?

WorkSafe Queensland provides the following next steps:

1. Check whether the restructuring changed the entity holding the electrical contractor licence.
2. Determine whether the new application requires a nominated QTP or QBP.
3. If using a QTP, check that the nominee has held a current Queensland electrical work licence for at least two years.
4. Confirm that public liability insurance is in the entity’s name and meets section 51 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
5. Contact WorkSafe Queensland on 1300 632 993 for assistance with licensing requirements if the restructuring has already occurred.

The regulator’s page also directs readers to the Electrical licensing eligibility guide for further information.

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check WorkSafe Queensland’s regulator page for current licensing requirements and your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the public liability cover.

Sources

• WorkSafe Queensland — Are you restructuring your electrical contracting business?

FAQ

Does every business restructure require a new electrical contractor licence?

Not necessarily. WorkSafe Queensland says a change of entity can trigger a new application and that a licence holder restructuring may need a new licence. An individual-to-corporation change and a corporation-to-individual change are both identified as examples.

Does a new application need a QTP or QBP?

Yes. A new electrical contractor licence application requires a nominated qualified technical person or qualified business person to meet the training requirements introduced on 1 July 2018.

How long must a QTP have held their electrical work licence?

The QTP nominee must have held a current Queensland electrical work licence for at least two years.

Does public liability insurance need to match the new entity?

Yes. The insurance must be in the entity’s name and meet section 51 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.

Who can help a business that has already restructured?

A business that has already restructured can contact WorkSafe Queensland on 1300 632 993 for assistance with its licensing requirements.