NECA Welcomes National Licensing Momentum

A national electrical licence can improve mobility, productivity and safety

The National Electrical and Communications Association has welcomed the acknowledgement by Commonwealth, state and territory Treasurers that the National Competition Council’s work provides a strong evidence base for national licensing, including for electrical occupations.

The acknowledgement was contained in today’s statement following the meeting of Treasurers on productivity-enhancing reforms and represents an important further step towards a genuinely national electrical licensing framework.

NECA National Chief Executive Officer Stewart Joyce said national licensing would support a more mobile electrical workforce while providing a stronger and more consistent foundation for public safety and consumer confidence.

“NECA welcomes this clear acknowledgement of the case for national licensing for electrical occupations. Australia needs electricians to be able to move efficiently to where their skills are required, whether that is housing, major infrastructure, disaster recovery, data centres or the energy transition,” Mr Joyce said.

“The present system remains fragmented. Electrical contractors and workers continue to face different licence classes, application processes, fees, conditions and continuing professional development requirements across jurisdictions.”

“NECA stands ready to work constructively with the Australian Government and every state and territory government to turn this momentum into a safe, practical and enduring national licensing system.”

NECA has consistently advocated for national electrical licensing as the most durable response to inconsistent state and territory arrangements. Electrical work is safety critical, and reform must establish a common licence scope, consistent entry requirements, robust competency assurance and clear ongoing obligations.

A national or interoperable register should provide current visibility of licence status, conditions and disciplinary action. This would strengthen oversight and help address jurisdiction hopping, licence uplifting and licence loaning, while allowing compliant electricians and contractors to work more freely across borders.

Mr Joyce said the reform should lift consistency rather than reduce standards.

“This is not about compromising safety in the name of mobility. It is about establishing one trusted national benchmark so that an electrical licence carries the same meaning, responsibility and assurance wherever work is performed in Australia,” Mr Joyce said.

“Done properly, national licensing will reduce unnecessary administration, improve workforce deployment, support housing and infrastructure delivery, and strengthen confidence in the integrity of electrical licensing.”

NECA will continue to contribute its technical, regulatory and industry expertise as governments consider the National Competition Council’s findings and the pathway to implementation.