What you need to know about Victorian CPD
Continuing Professional Development will become a legal requirement for electrical licence renewals in Victoria in 2023. Energy Safe Victoria announced they will introduce CPD for licensed electrical workers in two stages, before they become a requirement for licence renewals in 2023.
Victoria is the latest state to introduce CPD for licenced electricians. CPD is already common in other high-risk industries including medical professionals and engineers.
What is CPD and why is it important?
The electrical industry is technical, potentially dangerous, with evolving regulations. CPD is a way for electricians to ensure their skills are up-to-date and they are across recent or upcoming legal changes.
Under the new program licenced electrical workers will participate in training to ensure they maintain and extend their working knowledge and skills.
CPD courses will include regular updates regarding standards and regulations, advances in technologies, and safety requirements.
Recently introduced workplace manslaughter laws mean businesses cannot afford to not be across the latest safe work practices.
How and when is CPD being introduced in Victoria?
ESV will introduce CPD into Victoria in stages over the coming years.
Skills Maintenance training will be developed and trialled in a pilot program before rollout. Following successful trials Skills Maintenance CPD will be required for electrical licence renewals from 2023. Skills Maintenance will be required for lineworker licence renewals from 2026.
After Skills Maintenance has been rolled out a Skills Development CPD program will be introduced. From 2028 select licence classes will need to complete both Skills Maintenance and Skills development CPD to renew their licence.
Who will need to undertake CPD?
| Licence type | Skills Maintenance | Skills Development |
| Electrician | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical Inspector | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrician (Supervised) (ES) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Supervised Licence | ✕ | ✕ |
| Switchgear Licence | ✓ | ✕ |
| Restricted Electrical Licence | ✓ | ✕ |
| Lineworker Licence (from 2026) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Occupiers Licence | ✕ | ✕ |
If you need any assistance contact Master Electricians Australia on 1300 889 198 to speak direct to an expert.