NECA Welcomes Access to Mandatory Standards

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to provide free access to mandatory Australian Standards for construction businesses, describing the reform as a significant step forward for safety, compliance and productivity across the building and construction sector.

NECA National CEO, Stewart Joyce, said the announcement recognised a longstanding issue consistently raised by industry and particularly by small and medium sized contractors required to comply with increasingly complex technical, safety and regulatory obligations.

“NECA has advocated for many years for improved access to mandatory standards because businesses cannot reasonably be expected to comply with documents, they are effectively required to purchase simply to comply with their legal obligations,” Mr Joyce said.

“Electrical contractors, apprentices, subcontractors rely on these standards every day to undertake compliant and safe work. Improving access is an important and practical reform.”

Under the proposed initiative, electrical businesses will be able to access mandatory Australian regulatory standards without charge.

Mr Joyce said the reform would assist businesses already facing substantial cost pressures arising from insurance, fuel, compliance, workforce shortages and rapidly evolving technical requirements linked to electrification and renewable energy deployment.

“This is a practical productivity reform that supports safer worksites, stronger compliance outcomes and reduced regulatory burden for industry,” he said.

Mr Joyce said NECA had worked extensively with government, regulators, Standards Australia and broader industry groups over many years to progress a practical and balanced model for standards accessibility.

However, Mr Joyce said NECA also believed there must be an important distinction between general construction standards and highly technical electrical safety standards directly linked to licensed electrical work and public safety outcomes.

“NECA supports a controlled access model for critical electrical safety standards, particularly standards such as AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, which govern the design and installation of electrical systems across Australia,” he said.

“These are not ordinary reference documents. They are highly technical safety standards connected directly to electrical safety, fire prevention, infrastructure integrity and protection of life.”

Mr Joyce said access to critical electrical standards should be linked to appropriately licensed and qualified practitioners through secure and regulated access arrangements.

“NECA’s longstanding position is that critical electrical standards should be made available through secure access arrangements administered via recognised industry associations, licensed regulators' approval or authorised industry bodies, with verification against electrical licence credentials,” he said.

“That approach improves compliance and safety outcomes while maintaining appropriate safeguards around highly technical regulatory material.”

Mr Joyce said unrestricted distribution of complex electrical installation standards without appropriate industry oversight could create unintended safety and compliance risks.

“We support broader accessibility for compliance purposes, but it must occur in a way that protects community safety, maintains regulatory integrity and supports proper industry oversight.”

Mr Joyce said the reform would become increasingly important as Australia accelerated investment in electrification, renewable energy systems, battery storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, communications systems and major energy infrastructure projects.

Mr Joyce said NECA looked forward to continuing constructive engagement with the Federal Government and Standards Australia as implementation arrangements were developed.

“We acknowledge the Government for listening to industry concerns and recognising that accessible standards are fundamental to workforce capability, safety and national productivity,” he said.