The short answer
No. In NSW, DIY electrical work is illegal unless you hold an electrical licence or certificate. The NSW Government describes DIY electrical work as "dangerous and illegal" and says homeowners should not wire, install or move power points, lights, switches or ceiling fans, or do any maintenance beyond changing a light globe. Unlicensed electrical wiring work breaches the Home Building Act 1989, with fines of up to $22,000 for an individual and $110,000 for a company, and it can void your home insurance.
What the law covers
In NSW you need an electrical licence or certificate before you do any electrical wiring work, no matter how small or cheap the job is, and whether it is a house, a shop, a shed or a farm.
"Electrical wiring work" means the physical work of installing, repairing, altering or removing an electrical installation, or supervising that work. The definition comes from the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017. That covers the fixed wiring in your home: the switchboard, cables in the walls and roof, power points, light fittings, switches, ceiling fans, hardwired appliances like ovens and cooktops, and supplies to sheds and pumps.
Things that are plugged in beyond a socket outlet are not part of the electrical installation. So plugging in a lamp, a kettle or an extension lead is not electrical wiring work.
Read the official word on the NSW Government electrical safety at home page and the electrical licensing page.
Jobs people think are DIY, but aren't
All of these need a licensed electrician in NSW:
| Job | DIY allowed? |
|---|---|
| Changing a light globe | Yes |
| Plugging in appliances | Yes |
| Swapping a power point or light switch for a new one | No |
| Changing a single power point to a double | No |
| Replacing a light fitting or ceiling fan | No |
| Moving a power point | No |
| Replacing a hardwired smoke alarm | No |
| Running power to a shed, pump or garage | No |
| Wiring in a new oven or cooktop | No |
| Replacing a fuse wire or breaker on the switchboard | No |
Plenty of how-to videos online come from places with different rules. In NSW the line is simple: changing a light globe and plugging in appliances is fine, anything else on the fixed wiring needs a licence.
Why it matters beyond the fine
Safety. The NSW Government says electrical faults and appliances cause 40% of NSW house fires each year.
Insurance. The NSW Government warns DIY electrical work can void your home insurance. If a fire starts at work that wasn't done by a licensed electrician, that is a hard conversation with your insurer.
No certificate. Licensed electrical work comes with a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW), lodged through the Building Commission NSW eCert portal. DIY work has none, which can come up when you sell or when an electrician later finds it. See our CCEW guide.
Rentals. If you are a tenant, don't touch the wiring at all. Tenants can replace removable smoke alarm batteries, but hardwired smoke alarms must be repaired or replaced by a licensed electrician arranged by the landlord.
What you can safely do yourself
There are a few useful things that don't involve touching the wiring:
- Change a light globe. Turn the light off first and let the globe cool.
- Test your safety switches. Press the "T" or "Test" button on each one. The NSW Government recommends doing this about every 6 months. Power on that circuit should go off. If it doesn't, or it won't reset, call a licensed electrician. Our safety switch testing guide walks you through it.
- Reset a tripped breaker or safety switch once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call an electrician.
- Replace the battery in a battery-only smoke alarm. Hardwired alarms are a job for an electrician.
- Check an electrician's licence before you hire them, using our guide on checking a licence.
- Look for warning signs like scorch marks, buzzing, burning smells or warm power points, and get them checked.
If something goes wrong
If you get a shock or tingle from a tap, shower or appliance, don't touch the area and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 straight away. For a serious shock, call 000. Our electric shock or tingle guide explains what happens next.
By law, any electrical accident where medical treatment is needed must be reported, to your electricity provider or to NSW Fair Trading (13 32 20).
Already done some DIY?
It happens. People buy a house with a dodgy shed supply, or a relative "helped" with a light fitting years ago. The best thing is to have it checked. Nelson can look at it, test it, and tell you what needs fixing, with a written price before any work starts. Fault finding is charged by the time it takes, and any repair work is quoted before it's done.
Common questions
Can I change a power point myself in NSW?
No. Swapping or moving a power point is electrical wiring work and needs a licence in NSW. Only changing a light globe and plugging in appliances are allowed without one.
What is the fine for unlicensed electrical work in NSW?
The NSW Government lists fines of $22,000 for an individual and $110,000 for a company for doing electrical wiring work without a licence or certificate, under the Home Building Act 1989.
Can I do the work and get an electrician to sign it off?
No. The licence rules cover doing and supervising the work, so the work itself has to be done by, or under the supervision of, a licensed person. If wiring has already been done, ask Nelson to inspect it and tell you what needs to be fixed or redone.
Will DIY electrical work affect my insurance?
It can. The NSW Government warns that DIY electrical work can void your home insurance.
Can I wire my own shed if it's on my farm?
No. The licensing rules apply to houses, sheds, farms and businesses alike. Running power to a shed is electrical wiring work and needs a licensed electrician.