Electrical Certificates of Compliance in NSW: What You Need to Know

If you’ve had electrical work done in your home, you should have received a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW). This document is more important than many homeowners realise — and its absence can cause significant problems down the track.

What Is a CCEW?

A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work is a legal document that a licensed electrician in NSW must issue after completing any electrical installation or alteration work. The certificate confirms that the work was carried out by a licensed person and complies with applicable Australian Standards (primarily AS/NZS 3000) and NSW wiring rules.

The electrician lodges a copy with the electrical safety regulator (SafeWork NSW) and provides a copy to the property owner. A copy must also be forwarded to the relevant energy network (such as Ausgrid) for certain categories of work.

Why Does It Matter?

The CCEW matters for several important reasons. For insurance purposes: if an electrical fault causes fire or damage and you cannot demonstrate the electrical work was compliant, your insurer may refuse or reduce a claim. For property sales: when selling your home, you may be required to disclose electrical work, and a CCEW demonstrates it was done legally. For your safety: the certificate process provides accountability — a licensed electrician who issues a certificate is putting their licence on the line for the quality of their work.

What Work Requires a CCEW?

Any work on the fixed wiring of a building requires a CCEW. This includes: installing or moving power points or light fittings, switchboard upgrades, new circuits, ceiling fan installation, air conditioning electrical connection, EV charger installation, and smoke alarm installation when hardwired. Simple globe replacements or changing a fuse do not require a certificate.

What If I Don’t Have One?

If you had electrical work done and no certificate was issued, there are a few possibilities: the work was done by an unlicensed person, the certificate was issued but misplaced, or it was an older installation before certificates were routinely issued. You can check whether a certificate was lodged by contacting SafeWork NSW. If work was done without a certificate, you may need to have it inspected and rectified by a licensed electrician before a certificate can be issued.

Keep Your Certificates Safe

Store CCEWs with your other important property documents. When you sell the property, they’re part of the record of improvements made under licence.

Leenderts Electrical always issues a CCEW for every job, lodged correctly with SafeWork NSW. Call 0407 743 963 for compliant electrical work across Sydney’s North Shore.