NECA Victoria releases 2026 state election policy platform

The National Electrical and Communications Association of Victoria has released its 2026 Victorian Pre Election Policy Platform, calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to practical reforms that will strengthen Victoria’s electrical workforce, support small contractors and improve the delivery of housing, energy and major infrastructure. 

The platform, Powering Victoria’s Workforce. Delivering Victoria’s Future, responds to the latest modelling from the Powering Skills Organisation, which estimates Australia will need an additional 72,000 electricians, technicians and related tradespeople by 2030.  

NECA Victoria Executive Director John Sofarnos said the national workforce challenge required immediate action from the next Victorian Government. 

“Victoria is competing with every other state, industry and major project for electricians, technicians and apprentices,” Mr Sofarnos said. 

“Every new home, renewable energy project, transmission line, hospital, transport project and data centre depends on qualified electrical workers and capable electrical contractors. 

“Without a coordinated workforce strategy, projects will be delayed, costs will increase and small electrical contracting businesses will face growing pressure to retain the skilled people and apprentices they have trained.” 

NECA Victoria’s key recommendations include funding training providers according to quality, outcomes and capacity, fast tracking the Victorian Apprenticeship Taskforce recommendations and ensuring government funded training properly prepares electrical apprentices to sit their A Grade examination. 

The platform calls for first year apprentices to comprise 5 per cent of the workforce on applicable government funded projects. It also recommends adult apprentice subsidies, incentives for small and regional employers that train apprentices and greater use of Group Training Organisations to align apprentice recruitment with Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline, and better coordinate pathways to ensure the breadth of capabilities required for an unrestricted electrical licence that's mobile across multiple sectors. 

New artificial intelligence and data centre projects should be required to employ new apprentices and contribute to net growth in the electrical workforce. NECA Victoria is also seeking support for a National Data Centre Electrical Skills Framework to ensure the sector grows the workforce it requires rather than relying primarily on electricians and apprentices already employed by small contractors and other industries. 

“Data centres offer an important economic opportunity for Victoria, but their workforce requirements must be planned from the beginning,” Mr Sofarnos said. 

“These projects cannot simply draw thousands of skilled workers from housing, renewable energy, local contracting businesses and essential infrastructure without contributing to the development of additional electricians.” 

The platform also calls for stronger security of payment protections for subcontractors, including their extension to domestic building work, genuine protection against unfair contract terms and improved enforcement against illegal phoenix activity. 

NECA Victoria is seeking standard rise and fall provisions in applicable long term government construction contracts so that small contractors are not forced to absorb uncontrollable increases in labour and material costs. 

“Small electrical contractors should not be expected to carry unlimited commercial risks that they cannot control, price or insure,” Mr Sofarnos said. 

“Fair contracts and reliable payment are essential if Victoria wants a strong and competitive contracting industry capable of employing workers, training apprentices and delivering major projects.” 

NECA Victoria is also calling for nationally consistent occupational licensing based on Victoria’s strong electrical licensing standards and the introduction of an Accredited Service Provider scheme to improve competition, accountability and service standards for electrical connection work. 

The platform recommends publication of the Victorian Energy Jobs Plan with clear workforce targets, funding commitments and measurable milestones. It also seeks better coordination of Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline, faster approvals for housing and energy infrastructure and improved integration of solar, batteries, electric vehicle charging and other distributed energy resources. 

Further recommendations include targeted support for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and mature age workers entering electrical careers, dedicated small business impact assessments for new laws and regulations, apprentice payroll tax relief and technology investment support for small and medium electrical contractors. 

“Australia needs another 72,000 electricians, technicians and related tradespeople by 2030. Victoria cannot assume that its share of this workforce will simply be available when projects commence,” Mr Sofarnos said. 

“We need quality training, more employers taking on first year apprentices, fairer commercial conditions and infrastructure planning that recognises workforce capacity as a fundamental requirement. 

“NECA Victoria stands ready to work with the next Victorian Government, industry and employee representatives to deliver the skilled and productive electrical workforce Victoria needs.” 

The NECA Victoria Pre Election Policy Platform will be provided to all parties and candidates contesting the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. 

The full policy platform is available on the NECA Victoria website at: https://necavic.asn.au/site/News/latest-News/Advocacy-Submissions/2026/NECA-Victoria-Pre-Election-Policy-Platform-2026.aspx