According to Consumer Affairs Tasmania’s electrical contractor licensing page, an application must include at least $5 million in public and products liability insurance, entity registration evidence where applicable, and a suitably competent nominated manager who holds a Tasmanian electrical practitioner licence and has completed the required training (page updated 17 July 2026; figures checked 1 October 2026). Consumer Affairs Tasmania says applications will be processed within 21 days after all required information is received, so the period does not begin merely when the application is first submitted.
Do I need an electrical contractor licence in Tasmania?
You need an electrical contractor licence if you are entering into contracts to perform electrical work. Either an individual or an entity, such as a company, can apply.
To be granted the licence, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements in the Occupational Licensing - Electrical Work Licence Classes Determination. The electrical work you can contract for is also limited to the scope permitted under your nominated manager’s practitioner licence.
Anyone performing electrical work in Tasmania must comply with Tasmanian requirements.
Can an interstate contractor licence be automatically recognised?
If you hold an electrical contractor licence in another State or Territory, you may be eligible to have it automatically recognised in Tasmania. The regulator’s wording is “may be eligible”, so an interstate licence should not be treated as an automatic outcome.
This recognition route applies only to contractor licences held by individuals. It does not apply to entities.
What evidence should I have ready for the application?
The contractor page identifies the following core evidence:
| Evidence | Who provides it | Application detail |
|---|---|---|
| Public and products liability insurance | Every applicant | At least $5 million in cover, with a certificate of currency |
| Entity registration | Entity applicant | Evidence that the company or other entity is registered |
| Nominated manager’s identity | New applications | Evidence of the nominated manager’s identity |
| Nominated manager’s practitioner licence details | New applications | Digital licence details for a manager holding a Tasmanian electrical practitioner licence |
| Declaration supporting documents | Any applicant answering yes to a declaration question | Details and copies of all relevant documentation |
For a new application, scan and upload digital copies of the required insurance, applicable entity registration and the nominated manager’s electrical practitioner licence details. Use the current regulator page to confirm the complete document list for your application.
What must the nominated manager be able to do?
The nominated manager must:
- Be suitably competent.
- Hold an electrical practitioner licence in Tasmania.
- Complete the required course of training stated in Determination 2016 - Approved courses electricity, gas, plumbing.
The manager’s practitioner licence also affects the work your business can contract. You cannot contract for electrical work outside the scope that can be performed under that licence.
How do I start and complete the application?
The process starts on the regulator’s licensing page:
- Read the electrical contractor licence information so you know what to provide.
- Read the Personal Information Protection Statement.
- Start the application through the My Licence portal.
- For a new application, provide the nominated manager’s identity and upload the required insurance, entity registration and practitioner licence details.
- Answer the licence declaration questions and provide any requested supporting documents.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the licence fee online or at any Service Tasmania shop.
What do the licence declarations ask?
A declaration question concerns the company or business, its owner(s), its director(s), or the person answering the application, depending on the question.
One declaration uses a 10-year period and asks whether the company or business, its owner(s), or its director(s) have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or prescribed work. If a prescribed-work infringement notice was issued to the company or business, an owner or a director, the form instructs the applicant to answer yes.
Other declaration questions ask whether:
- Someone settled a civil action or had a civil judgment given against them in their capacity as a contractor.
- A licence, registration or certificate relating to prescribed work was refused, disqualified, cancelled or suspended.
- Conditions were placed on a licence, registration or certificate relating to prescribed work.
- The company or business, owner or director was declared bankrupt, discharged from bankruptcy, entered into arrangements with creditors, or assigned property to pay debts.
- The company or business is insolvent or in receivership.
A separate question asks whether the person answering has ever been disqualified from holding, or refused an application for, a trades contractor registration or licence, or has had one cancelled or suspended. This includes interstate licences, certificates and registrations.
If you answer yes to any declaration question, you must provide details and copies of all relevant documentation.
When does the 21-day processing period begin?
The 21-day period begins only after all required information has been received. It is not measured from the date you create the application or begin uploading documents.
That includes any extra information or documentation required by your declaration answers. Until the required material is complete, the regulator’s stated processing period has not started. Consumer Affairs Tasmania says the application will then be processed within 21 days; processing should not be read as a promise that the licence will be granted.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the regulator’s current contractor page before applying, and check your policy’s PDS to confirm the public and products liability insurance arrangement.
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FAQ
How much public and products liability insurance is required?
The required insurance is at least $5 million in public and products liability cover. You must provide a certificate of currency with the application and check the PDS for the policy you intend to use.
Can a company apply for an electrical contractor licence?
Yes. An entity such as a company can apply, but it must provide evidence of its registration. Automatic recognition of an interstate contractor licence applies only to licences held by individuals, not entities.
What qualifications must the nominated manager have?
The nominated manager must be suitably competent, hold an electrical practitioner licence in Tasmania and complete the required training course. The scope of work you can contract for is limited by that practitioner licence.
Does the 21-day processing period start when I submit the application?
No. Consumer Affairs Tasmania says the application will be processed within 21 days only after all required information has been received.
What happens if I answer yes to a declaration question?
You must provide details and copies of all relevant documentation. Those documents form part of the information that must be received before the stated 21-day processing period begins.
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