Arrange electrical work in Brisbane
In short
For electrical work at your Brisbane property, look for a business with a current Queensland electrical contractor licence and experience with the job you need. Check Energex's outage information before booking someone for a loss of supply. For planned work, explain the fittings, house access and any body corporate requirements so quotes cover the same tasks. Agree the assessment charges for a fault and ask which Queensland testing certificate you will receive after the work.
Step 1
Check whether Energex needs to be your first call
A neighbourhood outage and a faulty fitting need different responses. Energex's outage finder shows planned and unexpected interruptions, with map and text options. Leave electrical covers closed and describe what you can observe safely.
Match the problem to the first action
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Nearby homes have also lost power | Check Energex's outage finder. For a power outage or electricity supply problem, call 13 62 62. |
| Fallen powerlines or a shock or tingle from an electrical item | Keep clear and call Energex on 13 19 62. Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency. |
| A recurring circuit trip, faulty power point or a new fan to install | Contact a licensed electrical contractor and explain the symptoms or proposed work. Ask about assessment costs before booking. |
Step 2
Check the electrical contractor licence
Queensland requires an electrical contractor licence for a sole trader, partnership or company performing electrical work for others. Ask for the business's legal name and contractor licence number. Follow the Electrical licence holder search link on the WorkSafe Queensland page below, check the current status and match the holder to your quote.
Ask who will do or supervise the work and whether the business has handled a similar installation. Request evidence of relevant insurance and confirm that it services your suburb. A recommendation is useful, but still check the business you will actually engage.
Step 3
Describe the job and how to reach it
Give your suburb, property type and the location of each fitting or fault. Include photos taken from a safe position and the model of any appliance or fan you want installed. Explain whether it replaces an existing fitting or needs a new position, wiring or controls.
For a raised Queenslander, mention stairs, access beneath the house and any known wiring changes. For a Brisbane apartment, explain lift bookings, permitted work hours and access to the switchboard or locked meter room. Confirm any landlord or body corporate permission and arrange the person who can provide access.
Step 4
Compare what each price covers
For planned work, ask for written quotes covering the same fittings, materials and installation tasks. Check labour, GST, travel, parking, testing and disposal. Ask whether the electrician needs a site visit before giving a firm price and whether that visit carries a charge.
Clarify any allowance for new cable, safety switches, switchboard changes, fan support and patching walls or ceilings. Ask who organises any required network or building access and how that affects the booking. Where concealed wiring needs inspection, have the quote explain what is priced now and how further work will be authorised.
For fault finding, agree the attendance fee, initial assessment time and charging basis for further repairs. Confirm any minimum or after-hours charge. Get the proposed extra work and its price in writing before approving it.
Step 5
Keep the testing certificate with your job records
For electrical installation work, the contractor must give the person who engaged them a certificate of testing and compliance when the installation is connected to electricity. For work on electrical equipment, the document is a certificate of testing and safety. Ask which applies to your job and how you will receive it.
The required certification can be included on the invoice if it meets Queensland's requirements. Check that it identifies the work tested, test date and electrical contractor licence number and contains the certification statement. Keep it with the quote, approved changes, invoice and product instructions. Ask the electrician to explain any unresolved fault and recommended next action.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- Energex: outage finder
Planned and unexpected outage information, supply problems on 13 62 62 and emergency reporting on 13 19 62.
- WorkSafe Queensland: electrical contractor licences
Contractor licence requirement, official licence-holder search and insurance requirements for electrical contracting businesses.
- QBCC: seeking and comparing quotes
General home-project guidance on matching scope, materials, labour and exclusions when comparing quotes.
- WorkSafe Queensland: issuing certificates of compliance
Installation and equipment certificate types, required details, customer copies and use of an invoice as a certificate.
