$50K fine follows "blatant disregard for public safety"

A former electrical contractor has received a $50,000 fine in Western Australia for notification delays that prevented timely safety inspections of electrical work.

Following prosecution by WA safety regulator Building and Energy, the company was convicted of 15 offences under WA’s electricity licensing regulations at Perth Magistrates Court in February 2025.

The court heard that there were 64 occasions when the company, now in voluntary liquidation, failed to lodge notices of completion with the network operator within three days of completing electrical work. Two-thirds of the lodgements took 100 days or more — with one provided after 302 days.

Electrical businesses are legally required to provide timely notices of completion so that prompt sample inspections of electrical work can take place to ensure the work is compliant, safe and completed.

Describing the company’s overall conduct as “a very poor example of compliance”, Magistrate Michelle Harries ordered the contractor to pay a global penalty of $50,000 and costs of $494.24, noting the inherent seriousness of electrical matters due to the risks involved.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the significant fine should send a clear message about electrical contractors’ responsibilities.

“Electrical faults can put people at risk of serious injury or death,” he said.

“Notices of completion must be submitted within three days to trigger the inspection process and mitigate the hazards of dangerous defects remaining undetected for extended periods.

“This company lodged the notices far too late and only after Building and Energy intervened. This conduct is unacceptable and shows a blatant disregard for public safety and the statutory obligations of electrical contractors.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Nicola Forenza