Yes—an appropriately licensed Sparky can do free electrical work for mates in Tasmania, but “free” does not remove the licensing, insurance or paperwork rules. Under Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) guidance, updated 14 Nov 2022, the person undertaking prescribed electrical work must hold a valid practitioner licence, and either you or the property owner must have at least $5 million in Public Liability and Products Liability insurance covering that work. The same guidance requires records of the electrical work, including insurance details, to be maintained for ten years and the Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CEC) form, with details of the specific work, to be lodged with TechSafe within three days of energising it.
For accuracy, figures checked 1 October 2026.
What does “gratuitous work” mean in Tasmania?
CBOS uses gratuitous work to describe work performed for friends, relatives or community groups for no payment. It can also include electrical work on the practitioner’s own house.
Family and community organisations such as churches and sports clubs are among the groups that may approach practitioners for this work. Calling it a favour does not remove the requirements when the task is prescribed electrical work.
Which licence is still required?
The valid practitioner licence remains necessary. Whether an additional contractor licence is needed depends on the arrangement:
| Your arrangement | CBOS requirement |
|---|---|
| Performing gratuitous work with an appropriate practitioner licence | You may perform the work without an additional contractor licence. |
| A company or person enters into a contract to perform prescribed work | The contractor must hold a valid contractor licence and either employ practitioners or hold the practitioner licence personally. |
| Working for a company with an appropriate contractor licence | You need no further licence because you are not responsible for the contract. |
Check your licence and the actual contracting or employment arrangement before accepting the job. Not being paid does not make an unlicensed person eligible to perform prescribed electrical work.
What electrical paperwork applies?
The no-payment feature does not remove CBOS’s electrical record requirements.
| Requirement | What must be done |
|---|---|
| Record the work | Use the Certificate of Electrical Compliance (CEC) form to record the gratuitous electrical work. |
| Lodge the form | Provide details of the specific electrical work performed and lodge the form with TechSafe within three days of energising the work. |
| Keep records | Maintain records of the electrical work for ten years, including the insurance details. |
The three-day lodgement period runs from when the electrical work is energised, so keep enough information to identify the work and its energisation date.
What insurance questions should I ask before saying yes?
CBOS says either you or the property owner must have at least $5 million in Public Liability and Products Liability insurance that would cover the work you perform. That amount is a minimum requirement, not confirmation that a particular policy would respond to a claim.
Before starting, ask:
- Does the policy’s PDS cover electrical work performed for no payment for a friend, relative or community group?
- Can you evidence that the required cover was in force on the work date?
- If the property owner is carrying the policy, what wording confirms that it covers the electrical work performed by the Sparky?
- Do any exclusions, conditions or limits apply to unpaid work, the intended recipient or the type of electrical work?
- What insurance details should be recorded with the CEC and retained work records?
Read the policy’s PDS rather than assuming that a policy responds because the required amount is present. If the wording is unclear, ask the insurer or broker directly.
Does this article replace legal or financial advice?
No. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check the CBOS regulator page and your policy’s PDS before starting the work.
Sources
FAQ
Does “free” mean I can work without a licence?
No. Prescribed electrical work requires the person undertaking it to hold a valid practitioner licence, even when the recipient will not pay.
Do I need an extra contractor licence for a mate’s job?
A person with an appropriate practitioner licence may perform gratuitous work without an additional contractor licence. If the work is being performed under a contract or through a contracting company, check the relevant CBOS rule for that arrangement.
Can I do gratuitous electrical work on my own house?
CBOS says gratuitous work may include work on the practitioner’s own house. The practitioner licence, insurance, CEC and record-keeping requirements still apply.
Can the property owner rely on their insurance?
CBOS allows either you or the property owner to hold the required Public Liability and Products Liability cover. The actual policy must cover the work being performed, so check its PDS and obtain evidence of that cover.
When must the CEC be lodged, and how long are records kept?
Lodge the CEC form and details of the specific work with TechSafe within three days of energising the electrical work. Keep the records, including insurance details, for ten years.
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