Arrange electrical work at your Adelaide property
In short
For electrical work in Adelaide, choose a business authorised to contract for your job and ask who will carry it out under the appropriate electrical worker registration. Describe your suburb, the existing installation and what you want changed. Compare written quotes for the complete job, including any assessment needed before a firm price, and request the electronic certificate of compliance when the work is finished. For a network outage or electrical hazard, contact SA Power Networks first.
Step 1
Decide whether to call the network or an electrician
Call 000 for a life-threatening situation. Treat fallen or low-hanging powerlines as live, stay at least 10 metres away and never touch or move them. SA Power Networks takes hazard reports on 13 13 66.
Choose your first contact
| What you notice | What to do first |
|---|---|
| Nearby properties have also lost power | Check the SA Power Networks outage map through its website. Report an outage that is not listed through its reporting service. |
| A fallen wire, damaged powerline or tingling sensation from a tap | Keep clear of the hazard and call SA Power Networks on 13 13 66 immediately. Do not wait for a routine electrician appointment. |
| A faulty fitting, repeated circuit trips or a planned appliance installation | Arrange a licensed electrician to assess the installation. Report the symptoms without opening switchboard covers or investigating wiring yourself. |
Step 2
Check the contractor and the electrical worker
South Australia requires a contractor licence for a business that carries out or organises electrical work. The person physically doing the work also needs the appropriate electrical worker registration. Ask for the business's legal name, contractor licence number and the details of the worker responsible for your installation.
Use the Consumer and Business Services licensing register, linked from its consumer guidance below. Match the business to the quote and check that the credentials and any restrictions cover your job. If someone relies on an interstate credential, confirm their authority to work in SA rather than assuming the card is enough. Ask about relevant insurance and experience with the appliance or wiring work you need.
Step 3
Describe the installation and property access
Give your Adelaide suburb and property type, the symptoms or proposed change, and any known previous electrical work. Take photos from a safe position. For an oven replacement, include the old and new model details so the electrician can assess whether the existing connection and circuit suit the replacement.
For a Norwood cottage, mention any known roof access restrictions and previous renovations. For a CBD apartment, explain parking, loading access, lift bookings and access to the meter room. If a landlord or strata contact needs to authorise work or arrange access, settle that before booking.
Step 4
Compare the total price and the proposed work
Consumer and Business Services recommends getting three itemised, fixed quotes and checking the total cost, including when a low call-out fee is advertised. Check the licence numbers too: different trading names can belong to the same business.
For planned work, ask each company to list labour, supplied fittings, materials, GST, testing and appliance disposal. Clarify any travel or parking charges. If a firm quote depends on inspecting the wiring, agree the assessment charge and what you will receive from that visit.
For fault finding or urgent attendance, confirm the call-out fee, minimum charge and any after-hours rate before booking. Ask how repairs will be authorised after diagnosis. Have proposed extra work and its price recorded before it proceeds; do not approve a switchboard replacement without an explanation of the findings and scope.
Step 5
Get your electronic certificate of compliance
SA electricians must issue customers an electronic certificate of compliance, or eCoC, after completing electrical work. It certifies that the work was installed, examined and tested to the required Australian Standards. Confirm how your copy will reach you and check that it describes the work at your property.
Ask the electrician to explain the new controls, any unresolved faults and any unsafe existing installation they identified. Keep the eCoC with the accepted quote, approved changes, invoice and appliance instructions. If the visit only established a fault and a repair is still needed, get the findings and proposed next action in writing.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- SA Government: electrical contractor licences and worker registration
Separate contractor and physical trade work credentials, registration categories and interstate recognition guidance.
- SA Power Networks: report an emergency or hazard
Hazard reporting on 13 13 66, powerline clearance, tap tingles and links to outage services.
- Consumer and Business Services: beware rogue tradespeople
Three itemised fixed quotes, total charges, trading names and access to the official licensing register.
- SA Energy and Mining: electrical trades
The electrician's obligation to issue an eCoC and the installation, examination and testing it certifies.
