Sydney’s Strict Guidelines in DIY Electrical Repairs

Sydney is not only Australia’s oldest but also the largest city as well which is home to about 5 million people. Sydney is a coastal city that enjoys cool sea breezes during the afternoon. However, since the climate of Sydney is humid with abundant sunshine, this city is prone to droughts, which can cause the vegetation of the area to become dry and prone to catching on fire. Recent fires have erupted during the early days of 2020, which caused widespread burning of Sydney grasslands.

Sydney’s being prone to bushfires may be one of the reasons why the city is so strict in its requirements for home electrical repairs. Sydney regulations that cover electrical work are much more stringent to people who are fond of performing Do-It-Yourself maintenance at home.

If you are an avid DIY person, there are many tasks that you can do in your home by yourself. You can start your backyard gardening without needing to hire gardeners. You can redecorate your indoor living areas without needing to hire an interior designer. You can even remodel your kitchen on your own. However, when you want to repair your home’s electrical system, it is necessary to hire a Sydneyelectrician.

Sydney’s Strict Guidelines in DIY Electrical Repairs

Incorrect electrical work may lead to future losses in both property and lives. Only fully-licensed electricians are allowed to perform tasks that involve electricity. Most people will feel that some of the electrical works in the home can efficiently be completed. For example, replacing a light switch or installing a new power outlet may seem like a simple task that anybody who attended a middle school shop can perform. However, performing these electrical tasks by an unlicensed electrician is actually against the law and has severe consequences when a person is caught.

Consequences of Being Caught Doing Illegal Electrical Work

For obvious reasons, the most severe consequence of performing illegal electrical work is getting electrocuted, which can lead to serious physical injuries or even death. Other results may include property damages when faulty wiring catches fire. Australia has stricter regulations for electrical work because of the higher 240 voltage running through the country’s electrical wires. Mishandling of this amount of voltage may cause irreparable damages to the body and may often be fatal.

In terms of penalties and fines, persons without electrician licenses caught performing electrical installations may be fined an average of $40,000 depending on the state. However, the penalties may increase to $200,000 and may include three years of imprisonment if the illegal repairs had caused injuries, deaths, or property damages.

Another consequence of having unlicensed persons work on your home’s electricity is that it will affect your insurance. Insurance companies will deny any claims to damages caused by unauthorized electrical installations and repairs.

With the strict regulations and substantial penalties, it is not worth the risk of cutting corners on electrical jobs so that you can save some money. So, if you do not want to face the above consequences, it is better to hire a licensed Sydney electrician for all your home’s electrical repairs.

What Electrical Repairs Can You Do Legally?

The primary purpose of Sydney’s strict regulations on electrical work is to prevent DIYers from attempting electrical tasks that will directly tap into a home’s central electrical system. However, the Sydney government still allows minor electrical works to be performed by ordinary people, such as replacing old-style fuses, changing light bulbs or LED lights, and installing low-voltage garden lights.

Always be on the side of caution and let the licensed electricians handle any electrical work that you need to be done to your home, especially if it will involve tapping into the mainline.