Western Australia has its own electrical regulator, and its licensing is often mixed up with SAA accreditation. They are separate things.
The WA electrical licences
- Electrical worker’s licence. Needed by the individual who does the wiring.
- Electrical contractor’s licence. Needed by the business carrying out electrical work for profit. It authorises an individual, partnership or company, and to hold it you or your nominated Responsible Supervisor must hold a current WA electrical worker’s licence.
The regulator is Building and Energy, within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Consumer Protection is in the same department and handles consumer complaints and trader conduct, which is why searches for WA solar installer licence and consumer protection overlap. If you sell to households you will meet both sides.
SAA accreditation in WA
To create STCs, the installer or designer must hold SAA accreditation. The WA electrical licence is the foundation and accreditation sits on top. See SAA accreditation and how to become accredited.
WA-specific programs
The WA residential battery scheme has its own rules and requires VPP participation at the time of writing. If you install batteries you also need the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program requirements; see the WA battery scheme and stacking with the federal rebate. Perth is zone 3 for STC purposes, with the numbers on the STC calculator.
Working in WA from another state
Western Australia participates in mutual recognition arrangements, but registration steps can apply. See interstate recognition and check with the regulator.
From the desk: WA customers who feel misled about STCs, discounts or timing complain to Consumer Protection. A clear contract with an STC clause helps; see the STC clause.
What this means for installers
Treat the WA licence, accreditation and insurance as one package. A quick order of work: confirm your licence, apply to SAA, arrange insurance, then prepare quotes and contracts. After installation, start trading to settle STCs, and see the installers hub for the other states, such as SA, Tasmania, ACT and NT.