FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2025 – A Commonwealth Treasury consultation on national licensing is a welcome next step towards a national electrical license that maintains the highest standard and reflects industry best practices.
Electrical workers will welcome a high-quality national license that allows greater movement between states for workers in high-demand industry like construction and energy.
With energy transition demanding more electrical workers in more parts of the country than at any time in our nation's history, a single high-quality national license is a key part of ensuring that we can train, build maintain Australia's energy transition over the coming decades.
A national license will also embed greater community understanding of the quality and importance of work performed by licensed electricians.
ETU National Secretary Michael Wright said electrical workers had long campaigned for a high-quality national license through the ETU.
"People working in our industry want a license that protects their safety, ensures the quality of their work, and serves as a seal of confidence to members of the public across the country that electrical work has been performed by a licensed professional who has been trained to the highest standard.
"As we train the electrical professionals needed to transition our energy systems to net zero, we need them to be able to go where their skills are most needed with a license that is nationally recognised and understood.
"The national regime must put safety and quality at the centre of its design, reflecting best practice from across the country – not composed of existing lowest common denominators in sub-national jurisdictions
"Electrical workers look forward to engaging with Treasury, state and territory governments, and industry to ensure that the Australian national electrical license is a world-leading qualification for our trade."
