What's Involved in an Electrical Safety Compliance Certificate?

In Victoria, a Certificate of Electrical Safety (often called a CES, COES or compliance certificate) is the official record that electrical installation work has been done safely and to the required standards by a licensed electrician. Registered electrical contractors must issue one for electrical installation work, and you should receive a copy for your records. Higher-risk "prescribed" work must also be inspected by a licensed electrical inspector before it's certified.

What the certificate confirms

A Certificate of Electrical Safety records:

• the address and a description of the work carried out
• the date the work was completed
• details of the registered electrical contractor and the licensed electrician who did the work
• that the work has been tested and complies with the relevant standards, including the Australian wiring rules
• for prescribed work, details of the licensed electrical inspector who inspected it

Certificates are issued through Energy Safe Victoria's system, which gives the work an official record rather than just a note on an invoice.

Prescribed vs non-prescribed work

Non-prescribed work covers most everyday jobs, such as adding a power point, replacing a light fitting or installing a new lighting circuit. The electrician tests the work and issues a certificate.

Prescribed work is higher-risk work, such as switchboard replacements and upgrades, work on mains and consumer mains, and certain other installations. This work must be inspected by an independent licensed electrical inspector before the certificate is completed. That inspection is an important extra layer of safety, and it's built into the process for jobs like switchboard upgrades.

When you should expect one

• switchboard upgrades and adding safety switches
• rewiring all or part of a home
• new circuits, for example for an EV charger, induction cooktop or air conditioning
• new or relocated power points and lighting
• hardwired smoke alarm installation
• repairs and maintenance on fixed wiring, including work arising from a rental electrical safety check
• renovation and extension electrical work (see do I need a certificate after renovation work?)

Why it matters to you

Safety: the certificate is the electrician's formal declaration that the work has been tested and is safe.

Insurance: if there's ever a fire or damage claim, being able to show that electrical work was done and certified by a licensed contractor can be important.

Selling or renting: buyers, building inspectors and property managers may ask for evidence of electrical work, particularly switchboard upgrades and rewiring. Rental providers also need records of electrical safety work (see landlord electrical obligations).

Accountability: the certificate links the work to a registered contractor, which matters if something needs to be followed up later.

Red flags

Be wary of anyone who offers to do electrical work "without the paperwork", for cash with no certificate, or who isn't a registered electrical contractor. In Victoria, electrical installation work must be done by a licensed electrician. Unlicensed work is illegal and can create hidden hazards. See how to choose a licensed electrician.

Lost your certificate?

Ask the electrical contractor who did the work for a copy. Keep certificates with your other property documents. They're useful if you sell, renovate or make an insurance claim.

Our approach

VU Electrical (REC 28054) issues the correct certificate on every job we complete, and arranges the independent inspection for prescribed work. Learn more about our compliance certificates.