The short answer
Choose an electrician who holds a current NSW contractor licence (check it at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au), gives you a written price before work starts, explains what's included and what isn't, tests the work and lodges a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) with a copy to you. Make sure they're the right person for the job: work on the service fuse, meter or service line needs a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP), and asbestos switchboards need a licensed asbestos removalist. Beyond that, pick someone who answers the phone, explains things plainly and leaves the place tidy.
1. Check the licence
In NSW you need an electrical licence or certificate before you do any electrical wiring work, whatever the cost and whether it's a home, shop or farm. To contract for electrical work (quote, advertise and take payment), a person or business needs a contractor licence. A qualified supervisor certificate lets someone do and supervise the work, but not contract for it.
How to check:
- Go to verify.licence.nsw.gov.au (the NSW Government licence check).
- Search by name, licence number, ABN or location.
- Check the licence is current and covers electrical work.
- Ask to see a digital licence in the Service NSW app if you're meeting in person.
Electrical licensing in NSW is now regulated by Building Commission NSW (13 27 00), which took over from NSW Fair Trading. Electricians licensed in Queensland, Victoria and the ACT are also automatically recognised in NSW under the East Coast Electrician's scheme.
NAF Electrical is run by Nelson, a licensed electrical contractor in NSW, licence 374694C. You're welcome to look it up. More in how to check an electrician's licence in NSW.
Using an unlicensed person isn't just risky. Electrical wiring work without a licence breaches the Home Building Act 1989, and the NSW Government states fines of $22,000 for an individual and $110,000 for a company.
2. Get a written price
A good quote tells you:
- exactly what's being done, and what isn't
- whether the price is ex GST or inc GST
- what could change the price (asbestos, hidden damage, extra circuits)
- travel charges, if any
- what certificate you'll get
Nelson gives a written price before any work starts. For some jobs, NAF has an instant online estimate:
| Job | How it's priced |
|---|---|
| Switchboard upgrade | Built up from parts and labour by circuit count. Use the switchboard estimate. |
| EV charger install | Install only, for a charger you supply. Use the EV charger estimate. Switchboard work or long cable runs quoted separately. |
| Test and tag | By the number of items. Use the test and tag estimate. |
| Fault finding | By the hour, plus parts. |
| Everything else | Written quote. |
Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out. The estimates work it out from your address, and it's shown on the written quote.
3. Ask about testing and the CCEW
In NSW, a CCEW must be submitted whenever electrical work is done. It shows the work was tested and complies with the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017, its 2018 Regulation and the relevant Australian Standards. The electrician who does the test submits it, as soon as practical and no later than 7 days after the test.
Since 1 July 2026, all CCEWs go through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal. Paper, PDF and Essential Energy portal forms are no longer accepted. If your email address is entered, you get a copy automatically, so make sure your electrician has it.
If someone says a job is "too small" for a certificate, that's a red flag. See CCEW certificates in NSW.
4. Make sure it's the right trade for the job
Some electrical-looking jobs need someone else as well:
- Service fuse, meter, service line, supply upgrade: In NSW an ordinary licensed electrician who isn't an authorised Level 2 ASP must not work on the service fuse, meter or service equipment, or break distributor seals. That's Level 2 ASP work under the Service and Installation Rules of NSW. NAF doesn't advertise Level 2 work, but Nelson does the rest of the job and can coordinate with an ASP.
- Asbestos switchboards: Boards made before 1987 may contain asbestos. The NSW asbestos site advises a licensed asbestos assessor and licensed removalist.
- Solar and batteries: Installers are accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). NAF doesn't advertise solar or battery installation.
- Private power poles: maintenance of a private pole connected to the network is arranged with Essential Energy or an authorised ASP. See private power poles in NSW.
5. Questions worth asking
- What's your licence number?
- Is the price fixed or estimated, and is it ex or inc GST?
- Who will actually do the work?
- Will you test every circuit and lodge a CCEW, and will I get a copy?
- Does this job need any other trade or an ASP?
- If my switchboard needs work, will that change the price?
- What's the travel charge to my place?
With NAF, you get Nelson when you call.
6. Watch out for
- No licence number, or one that doesn't check out.
- Cash-only "mates rates" with no paperwork.
- Vague prices with no detail.
- Pressure to decide on the spot.
- Offers to "just swap" your meter or pull the service fuse without an ASP.
- Advice that you can do the wiring yourself. DIY electrical work is illegal in NSW, and the NSW Government says it can void your home insurance. See DIY electrical work in NSW.
7. Local helps
For Wagga and the Riverina, a local electrician knows Essential Energy's network, the older brick homes, the farm sheds and the summer aircon load. NAF Electrical is based in Wagga Wagga and covers homes, businesses and farms out to about 150 km, with Albury the furthest. Call 0416 085 416, email [email protected] or send the job through.
Common questions
How do I check if an electrician is licensed in NSW?
Use the NSW Government licence check at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au. You can search by name, licence number, ABN or location. Electrical licensing is regulated by Building Commission NSW.
What's the difference between a contractor licence and a qualified supervisor certificate?
A contractor licence lets a person or business contract for electrical work: quote, advertise and take payment. A qualified supervisor certificate lets someone do and supervise the work, but not contract for it.
Should I get a certificate for small electrical jobs?
Yes. In NSW a CCEW must be submitted whenever electrical work is done, lodged through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal no later than 7 days after the test.
Can any electrician change my meter or service fuse?
No. In NSW that's Level 2 ASP work. An ordinary licensed electrician who isn't an authorised Level 2 ASP must not disconnect or reconnect at the service fuse or meter, or break distributor seals.
Does NAF Electrical give fixed prices?
Every job gets a written price before work starts. Some jobs have an instant estimate online: switchboard upgrades, test and tag and EV charger installs.