Yes. The WA Government’s electrical contractor licensing guidance, updated 23 September 2026, requires the public liability insurance certificate of currency to have been issued or printed within the previous 30 days. It must be in the name of the individual, partnership or company—not a trust or trading name. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
What does the 30-day certificate rule mean?
The requirement concerns when the certificate of currency was issued or printed for the licence application. It is not a statement that the insurance policy itself lasts only 30 days.
| Check | WA Government requirement |
|---|---|
| Timing | The certificate must have been issued or printed within the previous 30 days |
| Acceptable name | The individual, partnership or company applying for the licence |
| Not acceptable | A trust or trading name |
If the certificate was issued or printed outside that period, it does not meet the stated document requirement. The cited guidance is an application requirement and does not say that a certificate must be replaced every 30 days after it is issued.
Whose name must appear on the certificate?
The certificate should match the type of applicant:
| Applicant | Name required on the certificate |
|---|---|
| Individual | The individual applicant |
| Partnership | The partnership |
| Company | The company |
A trading name cannot replace the required individual, partnership or company name. The WA Government page does not explain whether displaying an accepted applicant name together with a trading name would be acceptable, so do not assume that a combined name arrangement satisfies the requirement.
What should I do if the certificate is old or shows the wrong name?
Before submitting the application:
- Check whether the certificate was issued or printed within the previous 30 days.
- Check that it names the relevant individual, partnership or company.
- Confirm that it is not issued only to a trust or trading name.
- If either requirement is not met, ask the insurance provider for a certificate that complies before submitting.
- Recheck the regulator’s current guidance and your insurance policy’s PDS for the applicable policy terms.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
Is the insurance certificate the only document needed?
No. The WA Government separately requires each applicant to have the relevant application form and other supporting documents ready. These include details and proof of identification for management representatives and nominees, the nominee’s current Electrical Workers licence number, and relevant competency evidence.
Sources
FAQ
Must the public liability certificate have been issued or printed in the previous 30 days?
Yes. The WA Government requires the certificate of currency to have been issued or printed within the previous 30 days.
Can the certificate be issued to a trading name?
No. It must be in the name of the individual, partnership or company applying for the electrical contractor licence, not a trading name.
Can the certificate be issued to a trust?
No. A trust name is expressly excluded from the WA Government’s certificate naming requirement.
Does the 30-day rule mean the insurance policy only provides cover for 30 days?
It should not be read that way. The stated requirement applies to when the certificate was issued or printed. Check the policy’s PDS for its own period, conditions and coverage.
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