Electrical Compliance Certificates
A Certificate of Compliance (COC) is a document that verifies that the electrical installations such as the plugs, lights, DB board, geyser and wiring in a home comply with the legislated requirements as detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Electricians must issue a certificate of compliance to the consumer after completing any electrical work ready for the power to be connected to it. Certificates of compliance are legal documents required under the Electricity Act 1996.
Only people with an appropriate licence can legally fill out a certificate of compliance and certify work. Refer to the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995 for a definition of plumbing, gas and electrical work and the requirement to hold an appropriate licence.
Electronic certificates of compliance (eCoCs) must be used in place of paper certificates of compliance that were discontinued on 30 June 2018.
The purpose of the certificates is to:
- enable self-certification of electrical work
- assure the customer that the work is installed and tested to the appropriate Australian Standard
- protect the electrician by confining the responsibilities to the work they have carried out
- allow the Office of the Technical Regulator to audit safety and technical standards of installations.
If you are a householder or a business using an electrician and want information about certificates of compliance, see Using licensed tradespeople.
Penalties for not issuing an eCoC
Penalties for the non-issue of an electrical certificate of compliance include warnings, expiation notices, disciplinary interviews and potential legal action under section 61 of the Electricity Act 1996 with penalties of up to $5000.
Certificate of compliance books
Paper certificates of compliance were discontinued on 30 June 2018 and since then electricians must use electronic certificates of compliance.