Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic)
Version No. 087
Electricity Safety Act 1998
No. 25 of 1998
Version incorporating amendments as at
22 October 2025
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Part 1—Preliminary
1Purpose
2Commencement
3Definitions
3ADeclaration of certain distribution companies or transmission companies not to be major electricity companies
3BDeclaration of certain owners and operators of electrical installations
4Exemptions
5Act to bind the Crown
Part 2—Energy Safe Victoria
6Objectives of Energy Safe Victoria
7Functions of Energy Safe Victoria
7AEnergy Safe Victoria may have regard to the reliability and security of electricity supply in certain cases
8Funding
Part 3—Electrical work
Division 1—Registration of electrical contractors
30Contractors
31Registration of electrical contractors
32Registered number
33Register of electrical contractors
33AImmediate suspension of registration of electrical contractor
33BRevocation of immediate suspension of registration
34Disciplinary action
35Employees of registered electrical contractor
36Electrical contractors not to employ certain persons
37Obligations on registered contractors
Division 2—Licensing of electrical workers
38Electrical workers
39Apprentices deemed to be licensed
40Licensing of electrical workers
40AImmediate suspension of licence of electrical worker
40BRevocation of immediate suspension of licence
41Disciplinary action
Division 3—Electrical installation work
41AResponsible person
41BSupervisor deemed to carry out certain work
42Implied conditions relating to electrical installation work
43Safety of electrical installations
43ASafety of electrical installations—building work
44Compliance and testing of electrical installation work
45Inspection of electrical installation work
45ACertificates of electrical safety
45ABEnforcement officer may require rectification of non‑compliant electrical installation work
45BSupply of certificate forms
Division 4—Installation of electric lines on public land
46Regulation of installation
47Exemption
48Division not to affect operation of other requirements
49Transitional
Part 4—Electrical equipment
Division 1—Preliminary
50Definitions
51Minister may declare corresponding law
52No double jeopardy
53Declaration of electrical equipment to not be in‑scope electrical equipment
54Standards for electrical equipment that is not in‑scope electrical equipment
55Declaration of electrical equipment to be controlled electrical equipment
Division 2—Certificate of suitability
56Meaning of certificate of suitability
57Application for certificate of suitability of electrical equipment
58Consideration of application for certificate of suitability
59Term of certificate of suitability
60Variation of certificate of suitability
61Suspension of certificate of suitability
62Cancellation of certificate of suitability
62ACertificate of suitability issued by regulatory authority or an external certifier taken to be issued by Energy Safe Victoria
62BSuspension of certificate of suitability issued by regulatory authority or external certifier by Energy Safe Victoria
Division 3—Certificate of conformity
62CMeaning of certificate of conformity
62DApplication for certificate of conformity
62EConsideration of application for a certificate of conformity
62FTerm of certificate of conformity
62GVariation of certificate of conformity
62HRe-examination
62ISuspension of certificate of conformity
62JModifications after issue of certificate of conformity
62KCancellation of certificate of conformity
62LCertificate of conformity issued by regulatory authority or an external certifier—taken to be issued by Energy Safe Victoria
62MSuspension of certificate of conformity issued by regulatory authority or external certifier by Energy Safe Victoria
Division 4—Registration of responsible supplier
62NResponsible supplier in Victoria registered in the Register
62ORecording, amendment or removal of a matter on the Register
62PApplication for exemption of registered responsible supplier or in-scope electrical equipment
62QExemption for registered responsible supplier or in‑scope electrical equipment
62RGrounds for cancellation of registration of responsible supplier
62SGrounds for cancellation of registration of level 2 in‑scope electrical equipment or level 3 in-scope electrical equipment
62TShow cause notice
62UCancellation of registration by Energy Safe Victoria
62VEvidence of registration and registered matters
Division 5—Alternative mark to regulatory compliance mark
62WApproval of alternative mark to regulatory compliance mark
Division 6—Prohibition of supply and recall of electrical equipment
63Prohibition of supply of electrical equipment
64Offence to disobey prohibition
65Recall of electrical equipment
66Offence to fail to comply with requirement
Division 7—Offences
67Offence—supply level 2 in-scope electrical equipment or level 3 in-scope electrical equipment
67AOffence—supply level 1 in-scope electrical equipment
67BOffence—documentary evidence level 1 in-scope electrical equipment
67COffence—documentary evidence level 2 in-scope electrical equipment
67DOffence—documentary evidence level 3 in-scope electrical equipment
67EOffence for holder of suspended certificate to supply or offer in-scope electrical equipment
67FOffence to sell unregistered in-scope electrical equipment
67GOffence for person other than responsible supplier to supply or offer in-scope electrical equipment
67HOffence by the responsible supplier to supply or offer to supply in-scope electrical equipment that is not marked
67IOffence to mark in-scope electrical equipment that does not satisfy relevant standard
67JOffence for person to offer in-scope electrical equipment for hire
67KOffence to supply second-hand equipment that is in‑scope electrical equipment to another person
Part 5—Energy efficiency
68Prescribed electrical equipment not to be supplied unless registered and labelled
68AExemptions from energy efficiency
Part 6—Rights of review
69Applications to review
Part 7—Underground electric lines and owners or operators of complex electrical installations
75General duties of owners or operators of complex electrical installations and railways
76Underground electric lines
77Underground electric lines—obligations of distribution companies
78Protection of underground electric lines
Part 8—Bushfire mitigation requirements for certain operators and electric line clearance
Division 1—General
79Urban area
80Fire hazard rating
81Declared area in urban area
82Operation of Part
83Point of supply
Division 1A—Bushfire mitigation requirements for certain operators of at-risk electric lines
Subdivision 1—Interpretation
83ADefinitions
Subdivision 2—General duties in relation to bushfire mitigation plans
83BGeneral duty of specified operators to minimise bushfire danger
83BASubmission of bushfire mitigation plans for acceptance
83BBCompliance with bushfire mitigation plan
83BBARevision of bushfire mitigation plan required in certain circumstances
83BBBEnergy Safe Victoria may request submission of a revised bushfire mitigation plan
83BBCOffence to fail to submit revised bushfire mitigation plan on request
83BBDOffence to modify matters related to bushfire mitigation plans in certain circumstances
Subdivision 3—Acceptance and validation of bushfire mitigation plans
83BCValidation of bushfire mitigation plans and revised bushfire mitigation plans
83BDAdditional information
83BEAcceptance of bushfire mitigation plans and revised bushfire mitigation plans
83BFProvisional acceptance of bushfire mitigation plan or revised bushfire mitigation plan
83BGNon-acceptance of bushfire mitigation plan or revised bushfire mitigation plan
83BHEnergy Safe Victoria may determine bushfire mitigation plan
83BJCompliance audits for accepted bushfire mitigation plans—independent audits
83BKCompliance audits—Energy Safe Victoria
Division 2—Responsibility for maintenance of lines
Subdivision 1—Persons responsible for maintaining lines
84Requirement to keep trees clear of electric lines—distribution companies
84ARequirement to maintain line—occupiers of land with private or low voltage electric lines
84BRequirement to keep trees clear of private electric lines—occupiers of contiguous land
84CRequirement to keep trees clear of electric lines—Councils
84DRequirement to keep trees clear of electric lines—other persons
Subdivision 2—Other matters
85Exercise of powers with respect to lines
86Failure to maintain lines
86AEnergy Safe Victoria may give directions for restriction or prevention of tree growth
Division 2A—Electric lines and municipal emergency management plans
86BMunicipal emergency management plans must specify procedures for the identification of trees that are hazardous to electric lines
Division 3—Publication of, and offences against, Code
89Procedure for Code
90Offences against Code
Division 4—Compliance audits in relation to compliance with the Code
90ACompliance audits in relation to compliance with Code—Energy Safe Victoria
90BCompliance audits in relation to compliance with Code—independent audits
Division 5—Compliance audits in relation to compliance with the management plan
90CApplication
90DCompliance audits for management plans—Energy Safe Victoria
90ECompliance audits for management plans—independent audits
Part 9—Cathodic protection and mitigation of stray current corrosion
91Victorian Electrolysis Committee
92Functions of the Committee
93Operation of cathodic protection systems
93AEvidentiary provision—operation of cathodic protection systems
94Railway operator—duty in relation to stray electrical current leakage
95Mitigation systems
96Directions of Energy Safe Victoria
97Costs in relation to mitigation systems
Part 10—Electricity safety management
Division 1—General duty of major electricity companies
98General duty of major electricity companies
Division 2—Mandatory electricity safety management schemes (major electricity companies)
99Electricity safety management scheme
100Validation of electricity safety management scheme for a supply network
101Additional information
102Acceptance of electricity safety management scheme
103Provisional acceptance of electricity safety management scheme
104Non-acceptance of electricity safety management scheme
105Energy Safe Victoria may determine electricity safety management scheme
106Compliance with electricity safety management scheme
107Revision of electricity safety management scheme—change
108Revision of electricity safety management scheme—every 5 years
109Energy Safe Victoria may request submission of a revised electricity safety management scheme
110Offence to fail to submit revised electricity safety management scheme on request
111Application of provisions to revised electricity safety management scheme
112Revisions that do not relate to bushfire mitigation
113Compliance with electricity safety management scheme is a defence
Division 2A—Ongoing bushfire mitigation plan requirements for major electricity companies
113ASubmission of bushfire mitigation plans for acceptance
113BCompliance with bushfire mitigation plan
113CValidation, acceptance, provisional acceptance and determination of bushfire mitigation plans
113DAccepted bushfire mitigation plan forms part of accepted ESMS
113ERevisions that only relate to bushfire mitigation
113FInspection of overhead private electric lines
Division 2B—Requirements for declared owners and operators
113GGeneral duty of declared owners and operators
113HMandatory electricity safety management schemes for declared owners and operators
113IOngoing bushfire mitigation plan requirements for declared owners and operators
113JEnergy Safe Victoria may exempt declared owners and operators from certain requirements
Division 3—Voluntary electricity safety management schemes
114Electricity safety management scheme for employers of electrical workers
115Electricity safety management scheme for specified premises
116Electricity safety management scheme for owner or operator of complex electrical installation
117Exemption from certain provisions of Act or regulations
118Compliance with electricity safety management scheme
119Revision of voluntary electricity safety management scheme—every 5 years
120Revision of voluntary electricity safety management scheme—change
120AEnergy Safe Victoria may request submission of revised electricity safety management scheme
120BCompliance with request
120CLapsing of electricity safety management scheme
120DDuty of employer of electrical workers
120EDuty of occupier of specified premises
120GCompliance with electricity safety management scheme is a defence
Division 4—Other matters
120GAAccepted ESMS does not authorise certain electrical linework
120HCompliance audits—independent audits
120ICompliance audits—Energy Safe Victoria
120JAnnual fees
Part 10A—Additional bushfire mitigation requirements for major electricity companies
Division 1—Preliminary
120KDefinitions
120LMeaning of complying substation
Division 2—Additional bushfire mitigation duties
120MPolyphase electric lines with required capacity
120NCovering or placing underground electric lines
120OInstallation of Automatic Circuit Recloser for SWER lines
120PAnnual compliance reports
120QIndependent audits
Division 3—Enforcement of additional bushfire mitigation duties
120RProceedings
120SCriminal proceedings do not lie
120TProceedings for contravention of civil penalty provisions
120UPecuniary penalties to be paid into the Consolidated Fund
120VDeclaratory relief
Division 4—Miscellaneous
120WExemptions
120XSpecification of later dates and periods for compliance with civil penalty provisions
120YInformation notices
120ZAudit by Energy Safe Victoria
Part 11—Enforcement officers and powers
Division 1—Appointment of enforcement officers
121Enforcement officers
Division 2—Powers of entry—general
122Powers of entry—compliance
123Occupier to be given copy of consent
124Emergency access
125Powers on entry
126Return of things seized
127Magistrates' Court may extend period
128Entry to be reported to Energy Safe Victoria
Division 3—Powers of entry—enforcement
129Powers of entry—enforcement
130Occupier to be given copy of acknowledgement
131Search warrant
132Announcement before entry
133Copy of warrant to be given to occupier
Division 4—General
134Power of enforcement officer to require information or documents
135Offence to give false information to enforcement officer
136Copying of documents
137Protection against self-incrimination
138Offence to obstruct enforcement officer
139Police to assist enforcement officers
140Impersonation of enforcement officer
Part 11A—Infringement notices
140ADefinition
140BPower to serve a notice
140DInfringement penalties
Part 12—General
Division 1—Directions
141Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria may give directions
141AAdditional powers in emergencies
141ABInformation notices
141ACChairperson of Energy Safe Victoria may give directions to preserve, retain or store
141BDelegation by Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria
141CNotification to Minister
Division 1A—Enforceable undertakings
141DEnergy Safe Victoria may accept written undertakings
141EEnforcement of written undertakings
Division 1B—Injunctions
141FInjunctions
141GConsent injunctions
141HInterim injunctions
141IVariation and discharge of injunctions
141JInjunction may be granted during offence proceedings
141KUndertakings as to damages and costs
Division 2—Reporting of serious electrical incidents
142Notification of serious electrical incidents
142APreservation of serious electrical incident sites
Division 3—Improvement notices
143Enforcement officer may issue improvement notice
144Offence not to comply with improvement notice
145Notices may include directions
Division 4—Other matters
145AOffences under Part 8
146Offences by bodies corporate
147Offences by partnerships or unincorporated associations
148False or misleading information
148AWhen proceedings for offences may be commenced
148BAdverse publicity orders
Part 13—Regulations
149Supply safety
149AReliability and security of electricity supply
150Safety management schemes
151Electric line clearance
151ABushfire mitigation
152Installation safety
153Electrical equipment
154Equipment efficiency regulations
155Cathodic protection and stray current corrosion regulations
156Electrical contractors and electrical workers
157General regulation making powers
158Disallowance of regulations
Part 14—Transitional provisions and consequential amendments
160Transitional provisions—electrical contractors and mechanics
161Transitional provision—electrical equipment
162Transitional provision—urban area
162AMaking of certain statutory rules
163Transitional provisions—abolition of the Electrical Appeals Board
164Transitional provisions—Electricity Safety Amendment Act 2007
165Savings provision—proclaimed electrical equipment
166Transitional provision—Energy Legislation Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation and Other Matters) Act 2011
167Transitional provision—Electricity Safety Amendment (Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme) Act 2018
168Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020—appointments not affected
169Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020—electrical lineworkers
170Transitional provisions—Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025
Schedule 1—Transitional provisions
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Endnotes
1 General information
2 Table of Amendments
3 Explanatory details
Version No. 087
Electricity Safety Act 1998
No. 25 of 1998
Version incorporating amendments as at
22 October 2025
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to make further provision relating to—
(a)the safety of electricity supply and use; and
(b)the reliability and security of electricity supply; and
(c)the efficiency of electrical equipment.
2Commencement
(1)Part 1 comes into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2)Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.
(3)If a provision referred to in subsection (2) does not come into operation before 31 December 1999 it comes into operation on that day.
3Definitions
In this Act—
accepted bushfire mitigation plan means—
(a)a bushfire mitigation plan accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under Subdivision 3 of Division 1A of Part 8 and includes a bushfire mitigation plan provisionally accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under that Subdivision; or
(ab)if a revised bushfire mitigation plan submitted under section 83BBA or 83BBB has been accepted or provisionally accepted under Subdivision 3 of Division 1A of Part 8, that revised bushfire mitigation plan; or
(b)a bushfire mitigation plan accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under Division 2A of Part 10 (and taken to form part of an accepted ESMS by operation of section 113D) and includes a bushfire mitigation plan provisionally accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under that Division;
* * * * *
* * * * *
accepted ESMS means—
(a)an electricity safety management scheme that has been accepted or provisionally accepted under Division 2 or 3 of Part 10; or
(b)if a revised electricity safety management scheme has been accepted or provisionally accepted under Division 2 or 3 of Part 10, that revised electricity safety management scheme—
but does not include an electricity safety management scheme that has lapsed under Division 3 of Part 10;
accepted ESMS operator means—
(a)a major electricity company whose electricity safety management scheme has been accepted or provisionally accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under Division 2 of Part 10; or
(ab)a declared owner or operator whose electricity safety management scheme has been accepted or provisionally accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under Division 2 of Part 10; or
(b)a voluntary ESMS operator;
bushfire mitigation plan means a plan referred to in section 83BA(1), 83BBA(1), 83BBB(1) or 113A(1) or (1A);
business day means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday appointed under the Public Holidays Act 1993;
cathodic protection system means a prescribed system designed to use direct electric current to protect metallic structures from corrosion;
certificate of compliance means a certificate of compliance completed under section 44 for electrical installation work carried out by a licensed electrical installation worker;
certificate of inspection means a certificate of inspection of electrical installation work carried out by a licensed electrical inspector under section 45;
Chairperson of Energy Safe Victoria means the Chairperson within the meaning of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005;
Chief Executive Officer of Energy Safe Victoria means the Chief Executive Officer within the meaning of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005;
Code means the Code of Practice for Electric Line Clearance prescribed for the purpose of Part 8;
Committee means—
* * * * *
* * * * *
(c)in Part 9, the Victorian Electrolysis Committee;
company assets means property of an electricity supplier, being the whole or part of any pole, cable, conduit, conductor, device, appliance or other thing used for or in connection with a private electric line;
complex electrical installation means an electrical installation that—
(a)has an installed generation capacity of equal to or greater than 1000 kVA; or
(b)is an electric line that is on land that is not owned or leased by the owner or operator of the electric line;
* * * * *
connect, in relation to an electrical installation or electrical equipment, includes make capable of receiving an electric current;
Council has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 2020;
decision for the purposes of Part 6 includes prohibition, requirement or direction;
declared installation, in relation to a declared owner or operator, means the electrical installation or the part of an electrical installation specified in a declaration made under section 3B in respect of that owner or operator;
declared owner or operator means an owner or operator of an electrical installation in respect of whom a declaration is made under section 3B;
* * * * *
distribution area means an area in which a distribution company under a distribution licence under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 is authorised to distribute electricity;
distribution company has the same meaning as in the Electricity Industry Act 2000;
electric line means—
(a)the whole or any part of a wire, cable or other thing used or to be used for the purpose of transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity; or
(b)any thing enclosing or supporting such a wire, cable or other thing—
but does not include a wire, cable or other thing directly used in converting electrical energy into another form of energy;
electrical connection work means connecting or disconnecting electrical equipment to or from a supply of electricity;
electrical contracting means contracting or undertaking to carry out electrical installation work;
electrical contractor means a person who carries out electrical contracting;
electrical equipment means any appliance, wire, fitting, cable, conduit or apparatus that generates, uses, conveys or controls (or that is intended to generate, use, convey or control) electricity;
electrical equipment work means repair, alteration or maintenance of electrical equipment;
electrical inspection work means testing, inspection or certification of an electrical installation or other electrical equipment;
electrical installation means electrical equipment that is fixed or to be fixed in, on, under or over any land but does not include a part of a supply network—
(a)of a railway; or
(b)owned or operated by a major electricity company;
electrical installation work means installation, alteration, repair or maintenance of an electrical installation;
electrical installation worker means a person who carries out electrical installation work;
electrical linework means construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or disassembly of a part of a supply network;
electrical lineworker means a person who carries out electrical linework;
electrical work means—
(a)electrical connection work; or
(b)electrical equipment work; or
(c)electrical inspection work; or
(d)electrical installation work; or
(e)electrical linework;
electrical worker means a person who carries out electrical work;
electricity supplier means a person who supplies electricity to another person;
energy efficiency electrical equipment means electrical equipment that is prescribed as energy efficiency electrical equipment for the purposes of Part 5;
Energy Safe Victoria has the same meaning as it has in the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005;
enforcement officer means a person appointed as an enforcement officer under Part 11;
fire control authority, in relation to an area of land, means—
(a)Fire Rescue Victoria, if the area is within the Fire Rescue Victoria fire district within the meaning of the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958; or
(b)the Secretary to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, if the area is within a fire protected area within the meaning of the Forests Act 1958; or
(c)the Country Fire Authority, if the area is within the country area of Victoria within the meaning of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958;
hazardous bushfire risk area means an area—
(a)to which a fire authority has assigned a fire hazard rating of "high" under section 80, whether or not the area is an urban area; or
(b)that is not an urban area (other than an area a fire control authority has assigned a fire hazard rating of "low" under section 80);
Head, Transport for Victoria has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Transport Integration Act 2010;
high voltage electric line means an electric line other than a low voltage electric line;
install includes lay and place;
low voltage electric line means an electric line which is ordinarily operated at a voltage not exceeding the voltage prescribed for the purposes of this definition;
maintenance, in Part 8, in relation to an electric line or a private electric line, includes the keeping of the whole or any part of a tree clear of the line;
major electricity company means—
(a)a distribution company; or
(b)a transmission company—
but does not include a distribution company or a transmission company, or a class of distribution company or transmission company, declared under section 3A not to be a major electricity company;
* * * * *
mitigation system means a prescribed system designed to reduce the effects on metallic structures of the leakage of stray electrical currents;
* * * * *
occupier, in Part 8 or 11, in relation to land, means a person who is in actual occupation of the land or, if no-one is in actual occupation of the land, the owner of the land;
* * * * *
officer, in relation to a corporation, has the same meaning as in section 9 of the Corporations Act;
person, in Part 8, includes an unincorporated body or association and a partnership;
point of supply—
(a)in relation to a low voltage electric line, means—
(i)in the case of an underground line (unless subparagraph (iii) applies), the point at which that line crosses the boundary of the land; and
(ii)in the case of an overhead line (unless subparagraph (iii) applies), the first point of connection of that line on the land, being either—
(A)if the line is carried onto the land by one or more poles, the first pole on the land carrying that line;
(B)if the line is connected directly to premises on the land, that connection to the premises; or
(C)if it is not possible to determine a point of supply in accordance with sub-subparagraph (A) or (B), the point at which the line crosses the boundary of the land; and
(iii)in the case of a line connected to company assets, the point at which the line is connected to the company assets; and
(b)in relation to a high voltage electric line, means the point agreed between the relevant distribution company or the relevant transmission company and the customer supplied by that electric line;
practicable, in section 75 or 83B or Part 10, means practicable having regard to—
(a)the severity of the hazard or risk in question; and
(b)the state of knowledge about the hazard or risk and any ways of removing or mitigating the hazard or risk; and
(c)the availability and suitability of ways to remove or mitigate the hazard or risk; and
(d)the cost of removing or mitigating the hazard or risk;
private electric line means any low voltage electric line used to take electricity from the point of supply, whether or not that line is vested in an electricity supplier;
public land, in Division 4 of Part 3 and Part 8, means—
(a)Crown land; or
(b)land vested in a Minister of the Crown; or
(c)land vested in a public statutory authority or Council; or
(d)land (whether privately or publicly owned) used for public purposes;
railway has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Rail Safety National Law (Victoria);
rectification notice means a notice given under section 45AB;
* * * * *
responsible person, in Part 8, means a person responsible under Subdivision 1 of Division 2 of Part 8 for the maintenance of a private electric line or for the keeping of the whole or any part of a tree clear of an electric line;
rural area, in Part 8, means an area that is not an urban area;
serious electrical incident means an incident involving electricity which causes or has the potential to cause—
(a)the death of or injury to a person; or
(b)significant damage to property; or
(c)a serious risk to public safety;
specified bushfire risk period means the period commencing 1 November and ending 31 March the following year;
supply includes supply (including re-supply) by—
(a)sale or an arrangement, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase; or
(b)causing or permitting to be sold;
supply network means a network consisting of electric lines, substations, circuits and any other thing required for the purposes of the transmission, distribution or supply of electricity;
transmission company has the same meaning as in the Electricity Industry Act 2000;
tree includes vegetation;
Tribunal means the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998;
* * * * *
urban area, in Part 8, means an area of land that is predominantly—
(a)subdivided into allotments or lots each of which, in the case of land used or to be used for residential purposes, is not greater than 0·1 hectares; and
(b)able to be used or developed under a planning scheme for residential, industrial or commercial purposes; and
(c)provided with constructed streets and services; and
(d)provided with street lighting installed at not less than 3 lanterns in every 500 metres—
and includes any other area for the time being specified in a notice under section 79 but does not include an area to which a fire control authority has for the time being assigned a fire hazard rating of "high" under section 80.
voluntary ESMS operator means a person whose electricity safety management scheme has been accepted or provisionally accepted by Energy Safe Victoria under Division 3 of Part 10.
3ADeclaration of certain distribution companies or transmission companies not to be major electricity companies
The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may declare—
(a)a distribution company or a class of distribution company; or
(b)a transmission company or a class of transmission company—
not to be a major electricity company for the purposes of this Act or any part of this Act.
3BDeclaration of certain owners and operators of electrical installations
The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may declare for the purposes of this Act that an owner or operator of an electrical installation, or a class of owner or operator of an electrical installation, is the declared owner or operator in respect of any electrical installation, or any part of an electrical installation, specified in the Order.
4Exemptions
(1)The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may declare that the provisions of this Act, or such of the provisions of this Act as are specified in the Order—
(a)do not have effect in relation to specified electrical contractors or electrical workers, or a class of electrical contractors or electrical workers, or do not have effect to such extent as is specified; or
(b)do not have effect in relation to specified electrical equipment or a class of equipment or do not have effect to such extent as is specified; or
(c)do not have effect in relation to specified electrical work or a class of electrical work or do not have effect to such extent as is specified; or
(d)do not have effect in relation to a specified responsible person under Part 8 or a class of responsible persons under that Part or do not have effect to such extent as is specified; or
(e)do not have effect in relation to specified electricity suppliers or a class of electricity suppliers or do not have effect to such an extent as is specified.
(2)An Order made under subsection (1)—
(a)may specify the period during which the Order is to remain in force; or
(b)may provide that its operation is subject to such terms and conditions as are specified in the Order.
(3)A person to whom an Order under this section applies must comply with the terms and conditions (if any) to which the operation of the Order is subject.
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 200 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 1000 penalty units.
5Act to bind the Crown
This Act binds the Crown, not only in right of Victoria but also, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
PART 2—ENERGY SAFE VICTORIA
6Objectives of Energy Safe Victoria
The objectives of Energy Safe Victoria under this Act are—
(a)to ensure the electrical safety of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems, electrical installations and electrical equipment;
(b)to control the electrical safety standards of electrical work carried out by electrical workers;
(c)to promote awareness of energy efficiency through energy efficiency labelling of electrical equipment and energy efficiency regulation of electrical equipment;
(ca)to promote the prevention and mitigation of bushfire danger;
(d)to protect underground and underwater structures from corrosion caused by stray electrical currents;
(e)to maintain public and industry awareness of electrical safety requirements.
7Functions of Energy Safe Victoria
The functions of Energy Safe Victoria under this Act are—
(a)to determine minimum safety standards for electrical equipment, electrical installations and electrical work;
(b)to encourage and monitor the use of electricity safety management schemes;
(c)to inspect and test electrical equipment, in‑scope electrical equipment or electrical installations and electrical work for compliance with the standards prescribed or relevant standards;
(d)to administer the prescribed minimum standards for energy efficiency of electrical equipment;
(e)to inspect and test electrical equipment for compliance with the specified minimum standards for energy efficiency;
(f)to investigate events or incidents which have implications for electricity safety;
(fa)to regulate, monitor and enforce the prevention and mitigation of bushfires that arise out of incidents involving electric lines or electrical installations;
(g)to provide advisory and consultative services in relation to electricity safety and electrical equipment, electrical installations and electrical work;
(h)to advise the electricity industry and the community in relation to electricity safety;
(i)to monitor and enforce compliance with this Act and the regulations;
(j)such other functions are as conferred on Energy Safe Victoria by or under this Act or the regulations under this Act.
7AEnergy Safe Victoria may have regard to the reliability and security of electricity supply in certain cases
In performing a function or exercising a power under Part 8 or 10 or regulations made for the purposes of either of those Parts, Energy Safe Victoria may have regard to the reliability and security of electricity supply.
8Funding
(1)A distribution company or transmission company must pay to Energy Safe Victoria at such time or times as the Minister determines such annual amount (if any) as the Minister determines to be payable by that company in respect of the reasonable costs and expenses of Energy Safe Victoria.
(2)A declared owner or operator must pay to Energy Safe Victoria at such time or times as the Minister determines such annual amount (if any) as the Minister determines to be payable by that declared owner or operator in respect of the reasonable costs and expenses of Energy Safe Victoria.
* * * * *
PART 3—ELECTRICAL WORK
Division 1—Registration of electrical contractors
30Contractors
A person must not carry on or offer to carry on or hold out that the person carries on or is willing to carry on any class of electrical contracting that, under the regulations, is a prescribed class of electrical contracting for the purposes of this Division unless the person is registered under this Division as an electrical contractor in respect of electrical contracting of that class and holds the prescribed insurance (if any).
* * * * *
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 50 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 250 penalty units.
31Registration of electrical contractors
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may, in accordance with the regulations, register, or renew the registration of, a person as an electrical contractor in respect of a specified class of electrical contracting.
(2)A registration may be granted or renewed subject to any conditions that Energy Safe Victoria thinks fit.
(3)Energy Safe Victoria must assign a registered number to each registered contractor.
(4)The registration of an electrical contractor continues, unless sooner suspended, cancelled or surrendered, for a period of up to 5 years determined by Energy Safe Victoria and specified in the register kept under section 33 commencing on the date of registration, or renewal of registration.
32Registered number
A registered electrical contractor must not publish or cause to be published any advertisement, notice or statement that the contractor carries on or is willing to carry on electrical contracting work unless the advertisement, notice or statement includes the registered number of the contractor.
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 60 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 300 penalty units.
33Register of electrical contractors
(1)Energy Safe Victoria must cause to be kept a register of electrical contractors.
(2)The register must be in the prescribed form and contain the prescribed information.
(3)Energy Safe Victoria must make the register available for inspection at all reasonable hours.
33AImmediate suspension of registration of electrical contractor
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may, by written notice given to an electrical contractor, immediately suspend the registration of the electrical contractor if Energy Safe Victoria considers that it is in the interests of the public to do so—
(a)if Energy Safe Victoria proposes to commence an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical contractor to determine whether there is proper cause for taking disciplinary action against the electrical contractor under section 34; or
(b)during an inquiry described in paragraph (a).
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), matters that Energy Safe Victoria may have regard to in deciding whether it is in the interests of the public to suspend the registration under that subsection include—
(a)whether the electrical contractor is performing, has performed or has allowed a person under the electrical contractor's control to perform electrical work that poses—
(i)a risk to the health and safety of any person; or
(ii)a serious risk of significant damage to property; and
(b)whether the electrical contractor has been the subject of multiple adverse disciplinary actions by Energy Safe Victoria; and
(c)whether the electrical contractor has failed to comply with a condition of the electrical contractor's registration.
(3)Energy Safe Victoria may suspend a registration under subsection (1) either wholly or partially in relation to a specified matter.
(4)A notice under subsection (1) must state—
(a)the decision of Energy Safe Victoria to immediately suspend the registration of the electrical contractor; and
(b)that the suspension comes into effect on the giving of the notice; and
(c)the period of the suspension; and
(d)the reasons for the decision; and
(e)that the electrical contractor may apply to the Tribunal under Part 6 for review of the decision.
(5)Energy Safe Victoria must provide detailed reasons for the suspension to the electrical contractor in writing within 5 business days after giving the notice to the electrical contractor.
(6)A suspension under subsection (1) remains in effect for the period specified in the notice unless—
(a)the suspension is revoked by Energy Safe Victoria; or
(b)the suspension is set aside by the Tribunal on an application for review under Part 6.
33BRevocation of immediate suspension of registration
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may at any time revoke an immediate suspension of a registration under section 33A.
(2)Energy Safe Victoria must revoke an immediate suspension under section 33A if—
(a)Energy Safe Victoria is satisfied that the grounds for the immediate suspension have ceased to exist; or
(b)Energy Safe Victoria decides not to commence an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical contractor under section 34; or
(c)after an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical contractor under section 34, Energy Safe Victoria—
(i)is satisfied that no proper cause exists for taking disciplinary action against the electrical contractor; or
(ii)imposes new conditions on, or varies the conditions of, the registration under section 34(2)(b).
(3)Energy Safe Victoria must, without delay, give written notice to the registered electrical contractor of the revocation of the immediate suspension of the electrical contractor's registration under section 33A.
34Disciplinary action
(1)There is proper cause for taking disciplinary action against a registered electrical contractor if the registered electrical contractor—
(a)has failed to comply with this Act or the regulations; or
(b)has obtained registration under this Division by fraud or misrepresentation or the concealment of facts; or
(c)has been convicted of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence that was punishable by imprisonment for 6 months or more; or
(d)has failed to hold the prescribed insurance; or
(e)has failed to comply with any condition of registration; or
(f)has been negligent or incompetent, or was a party to any negligence or incompetence, in connection with the carrying out of electrical installation work; or
(g)has engaged in fraudulent conduct in the carrying out of electrical installation work.
(2)If, after an inquiry into the conduct of a registered electrical contractor and giving the electrical contractor the opportunity to be heard, Energy Safe Victoria is satisfied that proper cause exists for taking disciplinary action against a registered electrical contractor, Energy Safe Victoria may do one or more of the following—
* * * * *
(b)impose new conditions on, or vary the conditions of the registration, including a condition requiring the person to pass a specified examination or complete a specified period of training or attend a specified course of instruction;
(c)suspend the registration, immediately or with effect from a specified later date, for a period of up to 12 months;
(d)cancel the registration, immediately or with effect from a specified later date.
35Employees of registered electrical contractor
(1)A registered electrical contractor must keep a register of licensed electrical installation workers who are employed by the contractor.
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 20 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 100 penalty units.
(2)The register under subsection (1) must be available for inspection at all reasonable times by Energy Safe Victoria.
(3)A registered electrical contractor must not employ a person in the carrying out of any electrical installation work unless the person is—
(a)a licensed electrical installation worker of a particular class related to the contractor's business; or
(b)an apprentice within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 in a trade that involves carrying out electrical installation work of a class related to the contractor's business.
Penalty applying to this subsection—
In the case of a natural person, 50 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 250 penalty units.
36Electrical contractors not to employ certain persons
(1)A person (the contractor) must not employ a person (the worker) to carry out, in the course of a business carried on by the contractor, electrical installation work that, under the regulations, is a prescribed class of electrical installation work for the purposes of this Division, unless—
(a)the contractor is a registered electrical contractor under this Division; and
(b)the worker is a licensed electrical installation worker under this Part in respect of electrical installation work of that class.
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 50 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 250 penalty units.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply to the employment, in the regular course of a business carried on by a person, of a licensed electrical installation worker to carry out electrical installation work of a class in respect of which the worker is licensed only in premises owned or occupied by the employer.
37Obligations on registered contractors
A registered electrical contractor must not permit a person to carry out on the contractor's behalf, or direct a person to carry out, any electrical installation work that does not comply with this Act or the regulations.
Penalty:In the case of a natural person, 50 penalty units;
In the case of a body corporate, 250 penalty units.
Division 2—Licensing of electrical workers
38Electrical workers
A person must not carry out or offer to carry out or hold out that the person carries out or is willing to carry out any class of electrical work that, under the regulations, is a prescribed class of electrical work for the purposes of this Division unless the person is—
(a)licensed under this Division as an electrical installation worker in respect of electrical installation work of that class; or
(b)licensed under this Division as an electrical inspector in respect of electrical inspection work of that class; or
(c)licensed under this Division as an electrical connection worker in respect of electrical connection work of that class; or
(d)licensed under this Division as an electrical equipment worker in respect of electrical equipment work of that class; or
(da)licensed under this Division as an electrical lineworker in respect of electrical linework of that class; or
(e)authorised under an accepted ESMS in respect of electrical work of that class.
Note
Section 120GA prevents an accepted ESMS from authorising certain persons from carrying out certain classes of electrical linework.
Penalty:50 penalty units.
39Apprentices deemed to be licensed
An apprentice within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 in a trade that involves carrying out electrical work is, during the period of the apprenticeship, deemed to be licensed as an electrical worker to carry out electrical work under supervision as prescribed.
40Licensing of electrical workers
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may, in accordance with the regulations, license, or renew the licence of, a natural person as an electrical worker in respect of a specified class of electrical work.
(2)A licence may be issued or renewed subject to any conditions that Energy Safe Victoria thinks fit, including a condition that it applies to only one class of electrical work.
(3)Energy Safe Victoria may, in accordance with the regulations, vary a licence given under this section.
(4)A licence under this section continues, unless sooner suspended, cancelled or surrendered, for a period of up to 5 years specified in the licence commencing on the date of the issue of the licence or renewal of the licence.
40AImmediate suspension of licence of electrical worker
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may, by written notice given to an electrical worker, immediately suspend the licence of the electrical worker if Energy Safe Victoria considers that it is in the interests of the public to do so—
(a)if Energy Safe Victoria proposes to commence an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical worker to determine whether there is proper cause for taking disciplinary action against the electrical worker under section 41; or
(b)during an inquiry described in paragraph (a).
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), matters that Energy Safe Victoria may have regard to in deciding whether it is in the interests of the public to immediately suspend the licence under that subsection include—
(a)whether the electrical worker is performing or has performed electrical work that poses—
(i)a risk to the health and safety of any person; or
(ii)a serious risk of significant damage to property; and
(b)whether the electrical worker has been the subject of multiple adverse disciplinary actions by Energy Safe Victoria; and
(c)whether the electrical worker has failed to comply with a condition of the electrical worker's licence.
(3)Energy Safe Victoria may suspend a licence under subsection (1) either wholly or partially in relation to a specified matter.
(4)A notice under subsection (1) must state—
(a)the decision of Energy Safe Victoria to immediately suspend the licence of the electrical worker; and
(b)that the suspension comes into effect on the giving of the notice; and
(c)the period of the suspension; and
(d)the reasons for the decision; and
(e)that the electrical worker may apply to the Tribunal under Part 6 for review of the decision.
(5)Energy Safe Victoria must provide detailed reasons for the suspension to the electrical worker in writing within 5 business days after giving the notice to the electrical worker.
(6)A suspension under subsection (1) remains in effect for the period specified in the notice unless—
(a)the suspension is revoked by Energy Safe Victoria; or
(b)the suspension is set aside by the Tribunal on an application for review under Part 6.
40BRevocation of immediate suspension of licence
(1)Energy Safe Victoria may at any time revoke an immediate suspension of a licence under section 40A.
(2)Energy Safe Victoria must revoke an immediate suspension under section 40A if—
(a)Energy Safe Victoria is satisfied that the grounds for the immediate suspension have ceased to exist; or
(b)Energy Safe Victoria decides not to commence an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical worker under section 41; or
(c)after an inquiry into the conduct of the electrical worker under section 41, Energy Safe Victoria—
(i)is satisfied that no proper cause exists for taking disciplinary action against the electrical worker; or
(ii)imposes new conditions on, or varies the conditions of, the licence under section 41(2)(b).
(3)Energy Safe Victoria must, without delay, give written notice to the electrical worker of the revocation of the immediate suspension of the electrical worker's licence under section 40A.
41Disciplinary action
(1)There is proper cause for taking disciplinary action against a licensed electrical worker if the licensed electrical worker—
(a)has failed to comply with this Act or the regulations; or
(b)has obtained a licence under this Division by fraud or misrepresentation or the concealment of facts; or
(c)has been convicted of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence that was punishable by imprisonment for 6 months or more; or
(d)has failed to comply with any condition or restriction on the licence; or
(e)has been negligent or incompetent, or was a party to any negligence or incompetence, in connection with the carrying out of electrical work; or
(f)has engaged in fraudulent conduct in the carrying out of electrical work.
(2)If, after an inquiry into the conduct of a licensed electrical worker and giving the electrical worker the opportunity to be heard, Energy Safe Victoria is satisfied that proper cause exists for taking disciplinary action against the licensed electrical worker, Energy Safe Victoria may do one or more of the following—
* * * * *
(b)impose new conditions or restrictions on, or vary the conditions or restrictions on the licence, including a condition requiring the person to pass a specified examination or complete a specified period of training or attend a specified course of instruction;
(c)suspend the licence for a period of up to 12 months;
(d)cancel the licence, immediately or with effect from a specified later date.
Division 3—Electrical installation work
41AResponsible person
In this Division a reference to the person who is responsible for the carrying out of electrical installation work is a reference—
(a)to a registered electrical contractor, if the registered electrical contractor is engaged to carry out the work; or
(b)to a person in a prescribed class of persons, if that person is engaged to carry out the work;
(c)if paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply and the work is carried out by a licensed electrical installation worker under the supervision of another licensed electrical installation worker, to the licensed electrical installation worker who supervised the work;
(d)if paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) do not apply, to the licensed electrical installation worker who carried out the work.
41BSupervisor deemed to carry out certain work
(1)If, under this Act or the regulations, a licensed electrical installation worker supervises the carrying out of electrical installation work by another person, then, for the purposes of this Division—
(a)the licensed electrical installation worker is deemed to be the person carrying out the work; and
(b)the other person is deemed not to have carried out the work.
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a licensed electrical installation worker supervising the carrying out of electrical installation work pursuant to the conditions of registration applying to a registered electrical contractor.
42Implied conditions relating to electrical installation work
It is an implied condition of each contract entered into by the electrical contractor in relation wholly or partly to any electrical installation work to be carried out by the electrical contractor that the quality of the materials, fittings and apparatus to be used in connection with the electrical installation work and the methods to be followed in carrying out the electrical installation work are in accordance with the regulations.
43Safety of electrical installations
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Electricity Safety Act 1998 by Acts and subordinate instruments.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998
Assent Date: 26.5.98 Commencement Date: S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Industry Acts (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 89/1998
Assent Date: 24.11.98 Commencement Date: Ss 5, 7–12, 13(1), 22, 27–30 on 3.5.99: Government Gazette 29.4.99 p. 967; ss 6, 13(2), 14–21, 23–26 on 31.12.99: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1999, No. 36/1999
Assent Date: 8.6.99 Commencement Date: Ss 20–22 on 8.6.99: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Transport (Amendment) Act 2000, No. 30/2000
Assent Date: 30.5.00 Commencement Date: 31.5.00: s. 2 CurrentState: All of Act in operation
Electricity Industry Acts (Amendment) Act 2000, No. 38/2000
Assent Date: 6.6.00 Commencement Date: Ss 15–18, 20–24 on 29.6.00; s. 19 on 1.9.00: Government Gazette 29.6.00 p. 1455 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Industry Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2000, No. 69/2000
Assent Date: 21.11.00 Commencement Date: Ss 21–31 on 1.1.01: s. 2(4) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Industry Acts (Further Amendment) Act 2001, No. 13/2001
Assent Date: 22.5.01 Commencement Date: Ss 11, 12 on 23.5.01: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Gas Industry Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2001, No. 32/2001
Assent Date: 19.6.01 Commencement Date: S. 29 on 1.9.01: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Corporations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001, No. 44/2001
Assent Date: 27.6.01 Commencement Date: S. 3(Sch. item 36) on 15.7.01: s. 2 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Essential Services Commission Act 2001, No. 62/2001
Assent Date: 23.10.01 Commencement Date: S. 75 on 1.1.02: s. 2 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2002, No. 11/2002
Assent Date: 23.4.02 Commencement Date: S. 3(Sch. 1 item 21) on 24.4.02: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation (Further Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2002, No. 24/2002
Assent Date: 12.6.02 Commencement Date: S. 5 on 13.6.02: s. 2(1); ss 3, 4, 6–11 on 29.7.02: Government Gazette 18.7.02 p. 1658 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation (Consumer Protection and Other Amendments) Act 2003, No. 40/2003
Assent Date: 11.6.03 Commencement Date: Ss 26, 27 on 12.6.03: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Road Management Act 2004, No. 12/2004
Assent Date: 11.5.04 Commencement Date: S. 155 on 1.7.04: s. 2(2); s. 171 on 1.1.05: s. 2(4) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation (Regulatory Reform) Act 2004, No. 25/2004
Assent Date: 25.5.04 Commencement Date: Ss 22, 23 on 26.5.04: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004
Assent Date: 21.12.04 Commencement Date: S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 64) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2005, No. 33/2005
Assent Date: 21.6.05 Commencement Date: S. 3 on 22.6.05: s. 2 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, No. 39/2005
Assent Date: 27.7.05 Commencement Date: Ss 44–48, Sch. 1 on 10.8.05: Special Gazette (No. 147) 9.8.05 p. 1 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Education and Training Reform Act 2006, No. 24/2006
Assent Date: 16.5.06 Commencement Date: S. 6.1.2(Sch. 7 item 15) on 1.7.07: Government Gazette 28.6.07 p. 1304 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2006, No. 29/2006
Assent Date: 6.6.06 Commencement Date: S. 3(Sch. 1 item 10) on 10.8.05: s. 2(2)(e) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Infringements (Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2006, No. 32/2006
Assent Date: 13.6.06 Commencement Date: S. 94(Sch. item 14) on 1.7.06: Government Gazette 29.6.06 p. 1315 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety Amendment Act 2007, No. 61/2007 (as amended by Nos 25/2008, 57/2009)
Assent Date: 4.12.07 Commencement Date: Ss 12–16 on 5.12.07: s. 2(1), ss 4(1)(3), 5, 7–11 on 13.12.09: Government Gazette 10.12.09 p. 3215; s. 4(2) never proclaimed, repealed by No. 57/2009 s. 13(2); s. 6 never proclaimed, repealed by No. 57/2009 s. 15 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy and Resources Legislation Amendment Act 2008, No. 25/2008
Assent Date: 3.6.08 Commencement Date: Ss 3–7 on 4.6.08: s. 2(1); s. 8 on 1.1.10: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Retail Competition and Other Matters) Act 2008, No. 59/2008
Assent Date: 22.10.08 Commencement Date: Ss 41, 42 on 23.10.08: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy and Resources Legislation Amendment Act 2009, No. 57/2009
Assent Date: 21.10.09 Commencement Date: Ss 4, 5, 9–11 on 13.12.09: Government Gazette 10.12.09 p. 3215; ss 6–8, 12, 43 on 1.9.10: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Transport Integration Act 2010, No. 6/2010 (as amended by No. 45/2010)
Assent Date: 2.3.10 Commencement Date: S. 203(1)(Sch. 6 item 16) on 1.7.10: Special Gazette (No. 256) 30.6.10 p. 1 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy and Resources Legislation Amendment Act 2010, No. 55/2010
Assent Date: 14.9.10 Commencement Date: S. 36 on 15.9.10: s. 2(2); ss 12–35, 37 on 21.10.10: Government Gazette 14.10.10 p. 2404 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation and Other Matters) Act 2011, No. 59/2011
Assent Date: 8.11.11 Commencement Date: Ss 3–23 on 1.1.12: Special Gazette (No. 407) 13.12.11 p. 1 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Statute Law Revision Act 2012, No. 43/2012
Assent Date: 27.6.12 Commencement Date: S. 3(Sch. item 14) on 28.6.12: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Rail Safety National Law Application Act 2013, No. 22/2013
Assent Date: 23.4.13 Commencement Date: S. 56 on 19.5.14: Special Gazette (No. 148) 13.5.14 p. 2 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Feed-in Tariffs and Other Matters) Act 2013, No. 35/2013
Assent Date: 18.6.13 Commencement Date: S. 12 on 10.7.13: Special Gazette (No. 257) 9.7.13 p. 1 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Statute Law Revision Act 2013, No. 70/2013
Assent Date: 19.11.13 Commencement Date: S. 4(Sch. 2 item 16) on 1.12.13: s. 2(1) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation) Act 2014, No. 2/2014
Assent Date: 11.2.14 Commencement Date: Ss 4–11, 12(1), 13, 14 on 1.4.14: Special Gazette (No. 94) 25.3.14 p. 1; s. 12(2) on 29.6.15: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014
Assent Date: 3.6.14 Commencement Date: S. 10(Sch. item 51) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Customer Metering Protections and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 46/2014
Assent Date: 1.7.14 Commencement Date: Ss 8–10 on 30.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 254) 29.7.14 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Feed-in Tariffs and Improving Safety and Markets) Act 2017, No. 1/2017
Assent Date: 14.2.17 Commencement Date: Ss 11–13 on 1.1.18: s. 2(3) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety Amendment (Bushfire Mitigation Civil Penalties Scheme) Act 2017, No. 18/2017
Assent Date: 16.5.17 Commencement Date: Ss 4–6 on 1.9.17: s. 2(2) CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018, No. 6/2018
Assent Date: 27.2.18 Commencement Date: S. 68(Sch. 2 item 47) on 1.3.19: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 2018, No. 36/2018
Assent Date: 21.8.18 Commencement Date: S. 81 on 1.12.20: s. 2(3) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety Amendment (Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme) Act 2018, No. 43/2018
Assent Date: 18.9.18 Commencement Date: Ss 4–16 on 1.4.19: Special Gazette (No. 517) 30.10.18 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Firefighters' Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019, No. 20/2019
Assent Date: 2.7.19 Commencement Date: S. 163 on 1.7.20: Special Gazette (No. 328) 30.6.20 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Rail Safety Legislation Amendment (National Services Delivery and Related Reforms) Act 2019, No. 41/2019
Assent Date: 6.11.19 Commencement Date: S. 117(Sch. 1 item 4) on 2.12.19: Special Gazette (No. 480) 26.11.19 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2019, No. 49/2019
Assent Date: 3.12.19 Commencement Date: S. 186(Sch. 4 item 16) on 1.1.20: Special Gazette (No. 514) 10.12.19 p. 1 CurrentState: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Safety Legislation Amendment (Victorian Energy Safety Commission and Other Matters) Act 2020, No. 4/2020
Assent Date: 25.2.20 Commencement Date: Ss 3–19 on 1.1.21: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020
Assent Date: 24.3.20 Commencement Date: S. 390(Sch. 1 item 32) on 6.4.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2023, No. 22/2023
Assent Date: 22.8.23 Commencement Date: Ss 3–40 on 16.5.24: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
State Electricity Commission Amendment Act 2024, No. 11/2024
Assent Date: 26.3.24 Commencement Date: Ss 84–88 on 1.7.24: Special Gazette (No. 319) 18.6.24 p. 1 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025, No. 13/2025
Assent Date: 20.5.25 Commencement Date: Ss 3–12, 19, 30, 31, 36–51 on 21.5.25: s. 2(1); ss 13, 15–17 on 30.6.25: s. 2(2) Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Statute Law Revision Act 2025, No. 41/2025
Assent Date: 21.10.25 Commencement Date: S. 4(Sch. 2 item 10) on 22.10.25: s. 2 Current State: This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Electricity Safety Act 1998
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3 Explanatory details
[1] S. 87(5)(a) (repealed): The amendment proposed by section 106(Sch. 1 item 14) of the Roads and Ports Legislation Amendment (Road Safety and Other Matters) Act 2025, No. 25/2025 is not included in this publication due to the earlier repeal of section 87 by section 16 of the Energy and Land Legislation Amendment (Energy Safety) Act 2025, No. 13/2025.
Section 106(Sch. 1 item 14) reads as follows:
14Electricity Safety Act 1998
In section 87(5)(a), after "of Transport" insert "and Planning".
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