Australian electrical licensing practice (AS/NZS 3000)
Electrical licensing in Australia is run by each state and territory, but the technical core is the same everywhere: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules, AS/NZS 3008 cable selection and AS/NZS 3017 verification, backed by state electrical safety law and the WHS Regulations.
Questions cover the MEN system and its single MEN link, the 5% voltage drop limit, 0.4 s and 5 s disconnection times, RCD requirements for homes, mandatory tests, special installations such as construction sites and patient areas, and state rules like the NSW CCEW and Victorian LEA.
What the questions cover
Cables & voltage drop, Calculations, Earthing & bonding, Fire, life safety & ELV, Protection & RCDs, Regulations & procedures, Renewables & EV, Safety & isolation, Special locations, Supply & earthing, Testing & inspection.
Main references: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules, AS/NZS 3008.1.1, AS/NZS 3017, state licensing and WHS rules.
Key values to know
- Supply 230/400 V +10% / −6% (AS 60038)
- Domestic: at least 2 RCDs, max 3 final subcircuits per RCD
- NSW: CCEW; Victoria: Certificate of Electrical Safety, LEA for licence
- Live work prohibited except limited cases (model WHS reg. 157)
- AS/NZS 4777.1 installation of inverters, 4777.2 inverter requirements
- Service and Installation Rules set network connection requirements
- MEN system; one MEN link at the main switchboard
- Voltage drop ≤ 5% (Clause 3.6.2)
- 0.4 s for socket circuits ≤ 63 A and hand-held Class I; 5 s other circuits
- Insulation ≥ 1 MΩ at 500 V d.c.
- Additional protection RCD ≤ 30 mA
- Zs = 0.8 × U0 / Ia
- Actives not green-yellow, green, yellow, black or light blue
- AS/NZS 3008.1.1 Australia, 3008.1.2 New Zealand
- AS/NZS 3760 test and tag; AS/NZS 5033 PV arrays
- Section 6 damp situations; Section 8 verification; Appendix C maximum demand
Sample questions with answers
1. What is the nominal LV supply voltage and tolerance in Australia?
- 240/415 V ±6%
- 230/400 V +10% / −6%
- 230/400 V ±10%
- 220/380 V ±5%
Show the answer
Answer: B - 230/400 V +10% / −6%
Australia moved from 240/415 V to 230/400 V under AS 60038, with a tolerance of +10% / −6%. Many older texts still quote 240 V.
Reference: AS 60038
2. Under the model WHS Regulations, electrical work on energized equipment is:
- Allowed whenever the worker is licensed
- Prohibited, except in limited circumstances such as testing where it is necessary and a risk assessment and safety controls are in place
- Allowed if an RCD is fitted
- Allowed only above 1000 V
Show the answer
Answer: B - Prohibited, except in limited circumstances such as testing where it is necessary and a risk assessment and safety controls are in place
The default is no live work. Exceptions are narrow (for example testing, or where de-energizing creates a greater risk) and need a risk assessment, a safety observer where required and a safe work method.
Reference: Model WHS Regulations 2011, reg. 157
3. In Queensland, the principal electrical safety legislation is:
- Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2013
- Electricity Act 1992
- Electricity Safety Act 1998
- Home Building Act 1989
Show the answer
Answer: A - Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2013
Queensland uses the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013. Victoria's is the Electricity Safety Act 1998, and the Electricity Act 1992 is New Zealand's.
Reference: Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld)
4. Under the model WHS Regulations, which part deals with general electrical safety in workplaces?
- Part 4.7
- Part 3.1
- Part 6.3
- Part 2.2
Show the answer
Answer: A - Part 4.7
Part 4.7 covers electrical risks: unsafe equipment, inspection and testing, RCDs, work on energized equipment and overhead lines.
Reference: Model WHS Regulations 2011, Part 4.7
5. To carry out electrical work for other people as a business in Australia, you generally need:
- Only an electrician's (worker) licence
- An electrical contractor licence, as well as licensed workers
- An Engineers Australia membership
- No licence for domestic work
Show the answer
Answer: B - An electrical contractor licence, as well as licensed workers
The worker licence covers doing the work; the contractor licence covers running a business that offers it. Both are regulated by the states.
Reference: State electrical licensing rules
6. Which earthing system is used for LV installations supplied from the public network in Australia and New Zealand?
- TT
- IT
- MEN (a form of TN-C-S)
- TN-S only
Show the answer
Answer: C - MEN (a form of TN-C-S)
Australia and New Zealand use the Multiple Earthed Neutral (MEN) system. The supply neutral is earthed at many points on the network and connected to the installation earth at the main switchboard through the MEN link.
Reference: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Section 5
7. Which appendix of AS/NZS 3000 gives the method for estimating maximum demand?
- Appendix A
- Appendix B
- Appendix C
- Appendix J
Show the answer
Answer: C - Appendix C
Appendix C covers maximum demand estimation, along with other circuit arrangement guidance. Appendix B covers circuit protection guidance including loop impedance.
Reference: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Appendix C
8. Which standard covers periodic verification of existing electrical installations?
- AS/NZS 3019
- AS/NZS 3012
- AS/NZS 3003
- AS/NZS 3001
Show the answer
Answer: A - AS/NZS 3019
AS/NZS 3019 covers periodic verification, for example before reconnecting an installation that has been disconnected for a long period.
Reference: AS/NZS 3019
Practise the full paper
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These questions are written from the published regulations and standards and are not copied from any real exam. Authorities and boards do not publish their question banks, and pass marks and formats can change, so confirm the current details with the body concerned.