A Victorian Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) must employ only licensed electrical workers to carry out electrical installation work. Energy Safe Victoria’s Registered Electrical Contractor guidance, updated 17 December 2025, says an electrical apprentice is deemed licensed when under effective supervision during a 4 year electrical apprenticeship or within 3 months of completing the training contract. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
When does the apprentice exception apply?
An REC can employ an electrical apprentice under the usual rule only when the apprentice falls within the stated deemed-licensed exception.
| Apprentice’s situation | Treatment under Energy Safe Victoria’s guidance |
|---|---|
| During the 4 year electrical apprenticeship | The apprentice is deemed licensed when under effective supervision |
| Within 3 months of completing the training contract | The apprentice is included in the deemed-licensed exception for that period |
The exception does not remove the REC’s wider responsibility for the electrical installation work. The REC must ensure that the work is effectively supervised, employed apprentices are properly supervised, and nobody is directed or permitted to perform work that does not comply with the Electricity Safety Act and relevant regulations.
Does “deemed licensed” mean the apprentice holds a general licence?
Not necessarily. The regulator’s wording is “deemed to be licensed”, which is a limited status applying in the circumstances described above. It should not be treated as proof that the apprentice has completed every requirement for a general electrician licence.
An REC still needs to confirm that the apprentice’s circumstances fit the exception rather than assuming that every apprentice is licensed for electrical installation work.
Who can provide effective supervision?
Energy Safe Victoria says effective supervision may be provided by either:
- An REC that holds an A Grade electrician’s licence; or
- A nominated Technical Supervisor who holds an A Grade electrician’s licence.
The REC must maintain a nominated Technical Supervisor with the appropriate qualifications to supervise electrical installation work carried out by the business. Depending on the work and number of people involved, an REC may also need more than one technical nominee.
The guidance does not define the practical arrangements needed to establish “effective supervision”. If the supervision structure is unclear, check with Energy Safe Victoria before the apprentice carries out electrical installation work.
What must the REC put in the worker register?
The REC must keep a register covering all licensed electrical workers it has employed, including apprentices. Being included in the apprentice exception does not remove this obligation.
| Register requirement | What the REC must do |
|---|---|
| Workers covered | Include all licensed electrical workers employed by the REC, including apprentices |
| Availability | Make the register available for inspection at all reasonable times |
The REC should be able to identify the relevant electrical workers in its register and keep it available when an authorised inspection occurs.
What should an REC check before relying on the exception?
A practical compliance check should cover the following:
- Confirm that the apprentice is within the 4 year apprenticeship period or the period within 3 months after completing the training contract.
- Check that electrical installation work will be effectively supervised.
- Confirm that effective supervision will be provided by the REC or nominated Technical Supervisor described in the guidance.
- Include the apprentice in the REC’s worker register.
- Keep the register available for inspection at all reasonable times.
- Check the current regulator guidance and relevant legislation rather than relying only on this summary.
Licensing compliance and insurance are separate issues. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Check the Energy Safe Victoria regulator page and your insurance policy’s PDS for the applicable employment, supervision and coverage terms.
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FAQ
Does every Victorian electrical apprentice count as licensed?
No. Energy Safe Victoria’s guidance applies the deemed-licensed exception when an apprentice is under effective supervision during the 4 year apprenticeship and includes the period within 3 months after completing the training contract.
Must an apprentice remain effectively supervised after completing the training contract?
The REC must ensure effective supervision of electrical installation work. The cited guidance includes apprentices within 3 months of completing their training contract but does not set out a separate supervision method for that period, so the REC should confirm the arrangement with Energy Safe Victoria.
Must apprentices appear in the REC’s worker register?
Yes. The register must cover all licensed electrical workers employed by the REC, including apprentices, and must be available for inspection at all reasonable times.
Does “deemed licensed” mean an apprentice is fully qualified?
The regulator uses the term “deemed to be licensed” for the stated apprentice exception. It does not say that this status is the same as holding a general electrician licence.
Does an insurance policy replace the REC’s licensing obligations?
No. The apprentice exception, supervision requirements and worker-register obligation are separate from insurance arrangements. Review the policy’s PDS as well as the current regulator guidance.
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