Arrange electrical work at your Perth property
In short
For electrical work at a Perth property, choose a WA licensed electrical contractor who services your suburb and can explain who will carry out the job. A contractor's EC licence and an electrician's EW licence have different roles. Check the business through Building and Energy's licence search, compare the same scope in writing and confirm which completion records you will receive. If the problem is a network outage or damaged powerline, use Western Power's reporting channels first.
Step 1
Check whether you need Western Power first
A neighbourhood outage and a faulty fitting need different responses. Check Western Power's outage information for your address. Leave switchboard covers and wiring closed, and do not investigate electrical faults yourself.
Choose your first contact
| What you have noticed | What to do |
|---|---|
| Nearby properties have also lost power | Check Western Power's outage information. Its emergencies and outages number is 13 13 51. |
| A damaged or fallen powerline | Keep at least 8 metres away and call Western Power on 13 13 51. For immediate danger to life, call 000. |
| A damaged power point or a planned new circuit or light | Arrange a licensed electrical contractor. Describe the location and symptoms or installation you need; do not remove fittings to take photos. |
Step 2
Check the contractor and the person doing the work
Ask for the business's legal name and electrical contractor licence number, which begins with EC. Use the online licence search linked from Building and Energy's guidance below. Match the holder to the quote, and check that the licence is current and suitable for the proposed work.
WA requires the relevant licence for electrical work. Licensed contractors employ licensed electricians, whose licence numbers begin with EW. Ask who will carry out and supervise your job, and check their licence details too. Request evidence of relevant insurance and examples of similar work rather than relying on a business name or reviews alone.
Step 3
Describe the property, access and proposed fittings
Give your suburb and postcode, property type, preferred timing and whether the work is a repair, replacement or new installation. Include product models and photos taken safely. For a fault, describe when it happens and which rooms or appliances are affected.
For an older Mount Lawley house, mention any known rewiring and available roof access without entering the roof to investigate. For a Perth CBD apartment, include parking, lift bookings, permitted work hours and the contact for a locked meter room. If the job concerns outdoor fittings at a coastal property, say where they will sit and how exposed the location is so the contractor can assess suitable equipment.
Step 4
Separate the quoted work from further assessment
For planned work, seek three written quotes where practical. Check whether obtaining a quote costs anything. Each quote should identify the business and licence, labour, materials, completion timing and potential extra work. Confirm GST, call-out charges and any weekend or public holiday rates before accepting.
An estimate is an approximate cost that can change; an accepted quote commits you to its price and terms. For fault finding, agree the initial assessment charge and when the contractor must contact you before spending more. Ask for extra work and its price in writing before authorising it.
For new circuits, an EV charger or a switchboard change, ask what needs an on-site assessment and whether network arrangements, testing and wall repairs are covered. For customer-supplied fittings, agree who deals with unsuitable products or a return visit. A cheaper quote can cover less work, so compare the inclusions before choosing.
Step 5
Confirm the safety certificate and keep the records
For electrical installation work that requires it, the contractor must give you an electrical safety certificate within 28 days of completion. Building and Energy's guidance excludes maintenance and like-for-like equipment replacement. Ask which requirement applies to your job so you know what to expect.
If the certificate is due but has not arrived, contact the contractor. If it is still not provided, contact the network operator. Keep your certificate, accepted quote, approved changes, invoice and product instructions together. Before the electrician leaves, ask them to explain new controls and record any unresolved fault or further work recommended.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- Building and Energy: having electrical work done
EC and EW licence distinctions, official licence-search entry point and electrical safety certificate timing and exceptions.
- Western Power: outages and emergency reporting
Address-based outage information and the emergencies and outages number, 13 13 51.
- Western Power: damaged powerline safety
Eight-metre clearance, hazard reporting and emergency guidance.
- WA Consumer Protection: estimates, quotes and deposits
Written quote inclusions, estimates, quote fees and permission before extra work.
