Author: My Brisbane Electrician

If you’re a homeowner looking to save some money on household repairs, the thought of doing your own electrical work might have crossed your mind. After all, there’s no shortage of online tutorials and DIY advice encouraging you to “give it a go.” But when it comes to electricity, the risks far outweigh the potential savings.

Electrical work is not like painting a wall or installing shelves. It’s highly specialised, strictly regulated, and carries significant safety, legal, and financial implications. Especially here in Queensland, where the laws are particularly clear and strict.

In this article, we’ll explain why doing your own electrical work is dangerous, illegal, and potentially financially devastating, and what you should do instead.

Why DIY Electrical Work Isn’t Worth the Risk – Especially in Queensland

The Safety Risks Are Serious

Let’s start with the most obvious and urgent risk—your safety.

Electricity in Australian homes runs at 230 to 240 volts, which is more than enough to cause serious injury or death. Even a seemingly simple task like replacing a power point or installing a ceiling fan can expose you to live wiring, resulting in electric shock, burns, or worse.

What makes DIY electrical work particularly dangerous is that you may not even know you’ve made a mistake. Faulty wiring, loose connections, or improperly installed components might still “work” for a while, but they can overheat over time, arc, or cause fires without warning.

The consequences can include:

• Electric shocks or electrocution
• Electrical fires
• Damage to appliances and home infrastructure
• Harm to family members, guests, or pets

Qualified Electricians in Brisbane undergo years of training and licensing to ensure they can perform electrical work safely and to Australian standards. Without this training, it’s simply not worth the risk.

Is It Illegal to Do Your Own Electrical Work?

In Queensland, the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 clearly state that only licensed electricians can legally carry out electrical work.

This includes tasks like:

• Installing or relocating power points
• Replacing light switches
• Replacing circuit breakers
• Installing ceiling fans or hard-wired ovens & stoves
• Running new cabling or rewiring parts of your home
• Constructing an extension lead
• Replacing a plug on the end of an extension lead.

The only electrical jobs you can legally DYI include:

• Changing a light bulb
• Resetting a safety switch
• Replacing Downlights or appliances with an electrical plug (e.g. not hardwired)
• Replacing fuses

Everything else must be done by someone who holds a current QLD electrical licence and (if applicable) a contractor licence. We will touch on this in more detail further in the article.

The penalties for breaking the law are steep:

• Up to $40,000 in fines for individuals performing unlicensed electrical work
• Up to $600,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment if the work exposes someone to risk of serious injury or death
• Additional penalties and compliance actions from the Electrical Safety Office (ESO)

In short: even if the job looks easy, hiring a licensed electrical service in Brisbane not only protects you, it keeps you on the right side of the law.

Your Insurance Will Not Cover DIY Electrical Work

One of the most overlooked consequences of DIY electrical work is the impact it can have on your home insurance policy.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Electrical Problems?

Most insurers in Queensland (and across Australia) will not cover damage or loss caused by illegal or unlicensed electrical work. That means if your DIY project sparks a fire, causes electrocution, or damages your home’s electrical system:

• You won’t be covered.
• You’ll be paying for repairs or rebuilds out of your own pocket.
• You could also be liable if someone else is injured as a result.

This applies even if the issue occurs months or years after the work is done. Insurers can and do investigate the source of claims.

Make Sure Your Electrician Is Licenced Or You’re Still at Risk

Even if you’ve decided to hire a professional, not all electricians operate legally—and that can still put you and your home at serious risk.

In Queensland, it’s considered unlicensed electrical work if the person carrying it out doesn’t hold a current, valid electrical licence, even if they’ve been licenced in the past. This means:

• You should always verify the licence status before engaging any electrician.
• Electrical licences must be renewed regularly and may be suspended or cancelled if the electrician breaches safety regulations or insurance requirements.

Additionally, businesses who provide electrical work services in Queensland must have an electrical contractor licence. This means they meet the specific insurance requirements including having a minimum of $5 million public liability insurance, with a $50,000 consumer protection component.

Engaging someone without a current electrical licence:

• Is illegal
• Voids your insurance just like DIY work
• Exposes you to the same fines and safety risks

The safest approach is to use the QLD Electrical Licence Checker on the Electrical Safety Office’s website to confirm:

• The electrician’s name and licence number
• That their licence is active
• That they are authorised to carry out the type of work you need

Here at My Brisbane Electrician, we’re fully licensed, insured, and proud to meet all Queensland requirements. We’ll happily show you our credentials so you can feel confident you’ve made a smart, legal choice.

There Are Long-Term Financial Risks

Even if you manage to complete a DIY job without immediate disaster, you could still be setting yourself up for future problems.

Incorrectly installed electrical components can:

• Wear out prematurely
• Cause faults in other parts of your system
• Trigger nuisance tripping or flickering lights
• Make it harder (and more expensive) for a licensed electrician to diagnose issues later

And if you ever plan to sell your home, unlicensed electrical work can derail the sale. Property inspections can reveal non-compliant work, which may need to be rectified before settlement.

So What Should You Do Instead?

It’s simple: always hire a licensed and insured electrician.

When you work with a professional like My Brisbane Electrician, you’re not just paying for someone to “do the job.” You’re paying for peace of mind, long-term safety, and protection for your home and family.

We bring:

• Up-to-date knowledge of Queensland and Australian standards (AS/NZS 3000)
• Fully licensed and insured services
• High-quality workmanship that prioritises safety and reliability
• Clear communication and education so you know exactly what’s happening
• Prompt, tidy, and respectful service in your home

Even for small jobs, it’s worth getting it done right the first time. Whether you’re replacing old fittings, upgrading your switchboard, installing a ceiling fan, or renovating your kitchen, we’ve got you covered.

Need Electrical Work Done in Brisbane?

At My Brisbane Electrician, we’re here to help Queensland homeowners make safe, smart decisions about their homes. We believe in honest service, upfront advice, and high-quality workmanship that complies with all relevant standards.

Don’t risk your safety, your insurance, or your finances.

Contact us today to speak with a licensed electrician about your job, big or small. We’re happy to give you advice, a quote, or just help you understand what’s involved.

Sourcing the best commercial electricians Brisbane has to offer is a crucial step in fitting your business out for success. This is because the right team will not only provide reliable technical service, they will also ensure that your lighting system complements your space and brand.  

How to find a good electrical contractor – Brisbane

Commercial electricians should: 

• Be highly experienced in fitting and maintenance. Commercial jobs can be complex, so it is worth engaging a company that knows the in’s and out’s. In addition, such jobs will require maintenance and follow-up work over time, so invest time in choosing the right electrician to build an ongoing relationship with. 

• Have an EXCELLENT understanding of how the lighting system can be used to enhance the look, feel and branding of your commercial space.  

• Offer innovative solutions to highlight key areas, including stock displays, pathways and wall mounted logos and art. 

• Have experience creating the right mood in tricky areas such as dining spaces and change rooms. 

• Be tidy, quick and reliable – delays in commercial electrical work can put pressure on other aspects of your commercial build and are extremely expensive. This is why it pays to choose an electrical contractor with a track record of finishing on time and on budget.  

• Know exactly what needs to be done, and when each aspect of the job should be completed. Ideally, look from someone who has a good understanding of large commercial projects – and be sure to brief them on the full project, including the timelines of the other trades.  

• Offer fair pricing that is in line with industry standards and the level of service and experience they offer. 

• Be able to source reasonably priced fittings that are ON BRAND for your project, if required. 

Why choose My Brisbane Electrician for your commercial electrical install? 

My Brisbane Electrician ticks all the boxes when it comes to professional commercial electrical installations and maintenance. 

With over a decade in experience working on major commercial projects, the team know how to provide you with top quality advice and service, with fair pricing and a commitment to completing jobs on time.   

In fact, pick a major shopping centre just about anywhere in Brisbane and we can tell you what the inside of the ceiling looks like (don’t worry, we won’t!). 

Call My Brisbane Electrician today to find out how we can enhance the impact of your commercial project

Have your eyes on a sleek and environmentally conscious new EV but are confused and dumbfounded when you contemplate how you will charge it?  Will you even be able to charge it in a practical way that will make it a viable option?   

So, what are the different types of EV chargers, and what do they mean for me?

There are various ways to charge your electric vehicle at home and figuring it out can become a bit of mental calisthenics. Numerous chargers charge your car at different rates. These go from level 1 to level 3. These levels also refer to the rate or speed of charging. The higher the level (e.g., level 3 ), the faster your EV will charge.  

Electric Car Stations in Brisbane Explained 

Level 1 Electric Car Chargers – these are usually portable and best suited to smaller batteries, typically in petrol/hybrid vehicles. However, they are typically slow chargers, so charging your car may take up to 12 hours to gain a 40km charge. Usually, come with the vehicle.  

Level 2 Electric Car Chargers – This charger is a wall-mounted unit that connects directly to the electrical circuit in your home. These require an electrician to install its own circuit like your oven has its RCD (residual Current Device) and trip switch. These can create up to 70km of charge and has the convenience of a faster charge. Must be installed under the Australian Wiring Rules.  

Level 3 Electric Car Chargers – These are usually three-phase, around 30 Amps, and are usually the commercial-grade DC chargers designed to blow 70km of charge into your car in 10 minutes. There are strict wiring rules associated with Level 3 chargers. Starting at 25k per unit, not including the installation at your house, even if you have three-phase already. These are DC or Direct currents and can charge quicker as the current can flow straight into the car and bypass the inverter that converts typical Household AC to Battery required DC. Commonly found at public charging stations or Hotel Parking.  

So which EV Charging Station Best Suits Residential Brisbane Homes

Living in Brisbane, the daily Commute is usually more than 40km, which is typically what your Level 1 portable charger will provide. So unless you rarely use the car and drive small distances, it’s unlikely this level will cut it unless it is a Hybrid.  

Level two chargers are the most popular and advised for personal residential use. They are small discreet units attached to the garage wall or area your car is parked. They require a qualified electrician to install a circuit and perhaps some wiring but are worth the investment and will generally pay for themselves in saving on Petrol within three years.  

Level three is very rarely advised for personal use. They are ordinarily three-phase, heavy-duty, and designed for commercial use or public docking stations. Most residential houses will not be wired to withstand the current demand of these hungry but efficient beasts of chargers.  

Still unsure what to do about installing your EV charging station in Brisbane? Do you want professional advice to suit your usage requirements with your home wiring needs in mind? Contact us at My Brisbane Electrician For professional advice catered to you and your own Electrical needs.