On 12 August 2025, a sole trader was fined $7,000 in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court for two offences relating to electrical licencing. The defendant contracted for, and performed, electrical work while not the holder of an electrical contractor licence. The defendant also subcontracted his friend ‘A’ and instructed him to perform electrical work knowing that A had never held any type of electrical licence. The offending came to the attention of the investigators when A fell at the workplace and tragically succumbed to his injuries. There is no allegation that the defendant’s failures caused A’s death.

The defendant was a regular contractor for the workplace. His ordinarily performed air conditioning works, refrigeration works and fire safety works. He previously held a restricted electrical licence, but it was expired at the time of the offences.

The defendant contracted for, and in fact performed, electrical work at the workplace on four separate occasions. The defendant subcontracted, and instructed, A to perform electrical work on three occasions.

The defendant pleaded guilty. The Court noted the seriousness of the offending and that it was the defendant’s responsibility to ensure he was appropriately licenced, and to ensure A was appropriately licenced or appropriately supervised.

The Court noted that since the offending, the defendant had retired and was living off his superannuation. The Court accepted A’s passing had an impact on the defendant and that the defendant had relocated following the incident.  The Court otherwise had regard to the defendant’s general good character.

OWHSP contact: enquiries@owhsp.qld.gov.au