Big Changes to Queensland Electrical Safety Laws in 2025: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Queensland’s electrical safety laws are about to change in a big way. Between 1 January and 1 July 2025, new rules will come into effect that will impact a wide range of industries - not just electricians.

If your business works in plumbing, roofing, pest control, insulation, construction, pool and spa services - or you manufacture, import or supply electrical equipment - these changes will likely affect your daily operations.

The goal of the reforms is simple: improve safety, prevent accidents, and make compliance obligations clearer and enforceable. But in practice, this means you’ll need to review your safety processes, contracts, and training well before the deadlines.

What’s Changing and When?

From 1 January 2025

1. Roof Space Work – Power Off Before Entry
Before any worker enters a domestic roof space, the electrical installation must be switched off at the main switchboard. This applies to all trades, not just licensed electricians.

• Exceptions apply if switching off isn’t reasonably practicable, or if power is required for specific tasks like testing or commissioning. However, in these situations you must:
  
  • Document why de-energising isn’t practicable.
    
  • Complete a formal risk assessment.
    
  • Put in place strict additional safety measures, such as insulating barriers, PPE, and competent supervision.
    

2. Working Near Energised Equipment
The safety requirements now extend to anyone working within three metres of exposed live electrical parts - not just those working directly on them. This is aimed at preventing arc flash incidents, which can cause severe burns and other serious injuries.

3. Licence Holder Notifications
Electrical contractors must notify the Electrical Safety Office within 10 business days if their Qualified Technical Person (QTP) or Qualified Business Person (QBP) changes. Failure to comply could result in suspension or cancellation of your licence.

From 1 April 2025

4. Water-Related Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment used in or near water - such as pool pumps, spa components, and pool lights - will be reclassified as “prescribed electrical equipment.”

• Only licensed electricians will be permitted to install, repair, or modify this type of equipment.
  
• Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers will have new supply-chain duties under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS), including:
  
  • Ensuring compliance with safety standards.
    
  • Displaying “Don’t DIY” warnings.
    
  • Registering products where required.
    
  • Reporting safety incidents.
    
  • Maintaining recall procedures.
    

From 1 July 2025

5. On-the-Spot Fines
Inspectors will be able to issue infringement notices (on-the-spot fines) for certain breaches - particularly for roof space entry without de-energisation - without issuing prior warnings. This makes enforcement much faster and penalties more immediate.

Updated Codes of Practice

On 1 January 2025, several Electrical Safety Codes of Practice were updated to align with the new laws. These include:

• Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace
  
• Working Near Exposed Live Parts
  
• Overhead and Underground Electric Lines
  
• Solar Farm Electrical Work
  

If your business operates in any of these areas, it’s essential to review the updated Codes and ensure your procedures meet the new standards. Remember, Codes of Practice are enforceable under the law.

Relevant Legislation

The key laws and regulations that underpin these changes include:

• Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) – the primary legislation governing electrical safety in Queensland.
  
• Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 (Qld) – the new regulation introducing these staged changes.
  
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) – outlines broader workplace safety obligations, including the requirement to eliminate or minimise risks.
  
• Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) – the national framework for safety standards, registration, and supply obligations for electrical equipment.
  

Businesses must ensure compliance with all relevant laws, not just the new regulations.

What Small Businesses Should Do Now

Here’s how to prepare and stay compliant:

• Review and Update Your SWMS and Procedures
  Ensure they reflect the new de-energisation requirement for roof spaces, controls for working within 3 m of live parts, and steps for documenting exceptions.
  
• Train Your Workers
  All workers - not just electricians - need to understand the new rules, exceptions, and safety protocols.
  
• Check and Update Licence Details
  Have a process for quickly notifying the Electrical Safety Office of any QTP or QBP changes.
  
• Plan for Water Equipment Changes
  If you supply or install pool or spa equipment, ensure you meet the new licensing, safety, and labelling obligations.
  
• Budget for Compliance
  Factor in the cost of training, signage, lockout/tagout kits, and any operational adjustments.
  
• Update Contracts and Supplier Agreements
  Ensure your contracts reflect the new legal obligations, including safety responsibilities and supply-chain duties.
  

How Sprintlaw Can Help

At Sprintlaw, we can help small businesses navigate these changes by:

• Reviewing and updating your service contracts to ensure they allocate safety responsibilities clearly and meet legal requirements.
  
• Drafting or updating supplier agreements to reflect new EESS compliance duties for water-related electrical equipment.
  
• Advising on workplace policies and procedures so your SWMS and training align with the updated Codes of Practice.
  
• Providing guidance on licence compliance and notification obligations under the Electrical Safety Act.
  
• Helping you manage risk through tailored legal advice on liability, safety compliance, and enforcement processes.
  

Why Acting Early Matters

These changes will be introduced in stages, but each stage will be fully enforceable from its start date. Inspectors won’t offer grace periods, so you’ll need to be ready before each key date. By getting ahead now, you can:

• Protect your workers and customers.
  Avoid costly fines and licence issues.
  
• Maintain your business reputation as a compliant, safety-conscious operator.
  

Bottom line

Queensland’s electrical safety landscape is changing, and it’s changing quickly. Review your processes, update your paperwork, train your people, and get your contracts in order. If you need legal or compliance help, Sprintlaw is here to make sure you’re ready for 2025 and beyond.

If you would like a consultation about the changes to Queensland's electrical safety laws, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.