Qld Electrical Safety Act to be overhauled

The Queensland Government is in the process of overhauling its Electrical Safety Act 2002 in response to the dramatic way electricity use has changed over the past 20 years, with many new technologies and products on the market that could not have been imagined in 2002.

These changes have created new safety risks which need to be managed.

In 2021, the Queensland Government commissioned an independent review of the Act undertaken by Dick Williams.

As part of his comprehensive report into the Act, Williams made a total of 83 recommendations. The recommendations address issues such as the scope of the Act and coverage of emerging energy generation and storage technologies, including solar power and batteries; electric vehicles; hydrogen-based electricity generation; storage technologies; off-grid generation; and regulatory, licensing and supply chain duties reform.

In the time since the final report was provided, the Office of Industrial Relations has undertaken a thorough analysis of which recommendations have regulatory or financial impacts to business, community and government.

The government is releasing the report and asking for feedback from all Queenslanders including through a targeted discussion paper on three key issues from the report as well as general feedback on all issues raised. This feedback will determine what changes will be made to the Act.

“The Palaszczuk government wants to ensure this Act is fit for purpose and keeps pace with changes in technology — that’s why we want Queenslanders to have their say,” said Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace.

“We know how much technology and electricity use has changed since 2002 and that’s why we commissioned a review of the Act,” she said.

“The key issues in the discussion paper include: the electrical safety considerations of new and emerging technologies; the changing landscape of electricity and the workforce; and electrical safety and electric vehicles.”

Queenslanders can give their feedback on the discussion paper from 16 May to 27 June 2023, while feedback on all other issues will be open through to 15 August 2023.

For more information, visit: https://www.oir.qld.gov.au/public-consultation/electrical-safety-act-2002-review.

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