What Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Electrician?

With our rising population size, continued technological advancements, and the increasing popularity of renewable energy sources comes a growth in demand for skilled and reliable electricians here in Australia. Now is therefore the perfect time for those wanting to start and develop an electrical career – but how exactly is this achieved?

Keep reading as we explain which electrician qualifications are necessary for those looking to enter the trade, including a Certificate III in Electrotechnology. We’ll also explore what to look out for when hiring a professional electrician, and how they can help you select the most energy-efficient power sources for your home or business.

What Does a Qualified Electrician Do?

Electricians are trained to install, diagnose, repair, and maintain electrical networks in a variety of domestic and commercial settings. They use everything from computers to power drills to ensure that our light, heat, power, telecommunications, and safety systems are working efficiently all year round.

One of the main duties of a qualified electrician involves installing wiring systems and electrical components, such as switchboards, data cables, circuits, and appliances. They are also responsible for testing electrical equipment to ensure that it meets compliance and safety regulations.

However, the specific tasks that an electrician performs will depend on their specialist area. For instance, at Volteam, our qualified electricians are experts in installing and maintaining renewable energy sources, such as solar power systems and EV chargers.

Which Electrician Qualifications Are Needed?

There are various ways to gain the skills and expertise needed to become a qualified electrician. However, to work unsupervised and start your own business, you’ll need to gain formal qualifications for electrical installations by completing a Certificate III apprenticeship and applying for an electrical licence.

Find a Vocational Course

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are designed to prepare you for working with electrical systems. These certificates and diplomas provide the practical skills needed to develop a career in the electrical servicing trade and are available to complete in many locations across Australia.

One route that budding electricians can take involves completing a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), which offers the ideal way to explore this path before committing to a full electrical apprenticeship.

While not a mandatory requirement, those who have completed a pre-apprenticeship are often more attractive to potential employers.

Start an Electrical Apprenticeship

The main certification that electricians need is a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, which takes approximately 4 years to complete.

This includes both structured training through a registered training organisation, such as an electrical trade school, and workplace experience. As a result, electrical apprentices will have a nationally recognised qualification and real-life job expertise by the end of the 4 years.

Some of the key areas that the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician apprenticeship covers include:

• Electrical Installation Basics: Electrical workers will be taught the fundamental scientific concepts behind networks and circuits, including how they work together.
• Selecting Electrical Equipment: Certificate III also explores the installation and maintenance of electrical appliances such as light switches and complex control panels.
• Fault Finding: Participants will learn how to diagnose faults and safely perform repairs to correct electrical malfunctions.
• Safety Regulations: This area covers key safety procedures when it comes to electrical hazards, including proper grounding and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

One of the key benefits of these apprenticeships is that participants can start with little to no prior experience or electrical knowledge, yet finish feeling fully ready for full-time employment. Candidates will also be paid a weekly wage while learning, which only increases as they gain more experience in electrical installations.

To start an apprenticeship like the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, school leavers must meet literacy and numeracy requirements, but typically won’t need any previous experience in the industry. However, they will need to have a natural interest in electronics and mechanics, along with good hand-eye coordination, colour vision, and eyesight.

Non-school leavers may benefit from experience in another relevant trade, such as carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, construction, engineering, or telecommunications.

Apply for an Electrician’s Licence

To work as a self-employed, qualified electrician, another key requirement is an electrical contractor licence. Registration requirements vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your state’s licensing body.

For example, in New South Wales, an electrician may need a Qualified Supervisor Certificate. Those who have qualified overseas should undergo Australian context gap training to gain an Offshore Technical Skills Record and begin practising in Australia

However, in general, the elements you’ll need to obtain a contractor licence are:

• A recognised electrical qualification such as the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.
• A pass in a licensing exam

Once qualified, licensed electricians may need to go through regular renewal processes to keep them up to date with safety regulations and standards. They may also require other licences depending on the specific job type, such as working in confined spaces or at heights.

Industry Certifications

Budding electricians can also benefit from gaining industry certifications, which teach specific skills that enhance your employability.

For instance, a Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry certification, also known as White Card, provides you with the skills needed to work safely on a construction site. It also teaches how to protect yourself and others from injury, including the right equipment to wear, reporting hazards, and responding to potential emergencies.

The Professional Certificate of Competency in Electrical Power System Protection helps you learn how to deal with faults in high and low-voltage electrical systems, calculate currents, and select appropriate instrument transformers.

Find a Registered Electrical Contractor Today

A highly qualified electrician team can help with both domestic and commercial projects, from electronic data and telecommunications to air conditioning units and solar power systems – and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Volteam.

Our comprehensive maintenance services are designed to keep your electrical equipment operating at peak efficiency, including solar panel cleaning, repairs, and quality assurance.

We offer regular maintenance checks to extend the lifespan of your electrical systems and lower the risk of unexpected breakdowns that can leave you without power. The electrical equipment that we use for our solar installations and electrical maintenance services is also of the highest quality, which is reflected in our certifications from the Clean Energy Council.

But don’t panic if you do experience an emergency; our repairs team is fully equipped with the right electrical knowledge to repair any issues and minimise downtime.

Get in touch today to schedule a consultation for your electrical installations at 1300 865 832, or request a quote online and our qualified electrician team will call you back.