A sole trader has been fined $40,000 for carrying out unlicensed and unsafe electrical work.

The worker installed air-conditioning units at five south-east Queensland residential properties between December 2019 and May 2020. During this time, he was actively promoting his services as an air-con installer on social media.

The work he carried out was not electrically safe and exposed people to the risk of death and injury. The Electrical Safety Office received a complaint about the man’s work, leading to an investigation and prosecution.

The court heard that on 2 February 2020, the defendant was issued with an electrical work training permit which was restricted to refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. He never held any other class of Queensland electrical work licence. The electrical work training permit did not permit him to perform any electrical installation work.

He pleaded guilty at Beenleigh Magistrates Court to performing unlicensed electrical contracting and failing to comply with an electrical safety duty.

He was fined $40,000, with court costs of $1,641.40. No conviction was recorded.

If you need a electrician, always engage a Master Electrician. They are licensed and abide by a code of conduct. To check if your electrician is licensed call 1300 889 198.

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