The Essential Services Commission has announced that from 6pm on Monday 19 May 2014 only licensed electricians must carry out all installations of LED lights as per Schedule 21C of the Victorian Energy Efficient Target (VEET) Regulations.

The VEET scheme is a Victorian Government initiative promoted as the Energy Saver Incentive.

NECA first raised concerns with the Essential Services Commission after becoming aware of advertisements on social media, looking for unskilled people to install lights in residential housing.

In response to the concerns, Ian Johnson, Manager EcoSmart Electricians commented “We were overly concerned with the potential risk of having unskilled workers completing installations in a live environment. The risk to the installer and home owner was our greatest concern. We didn’t want the possibility of another Pink Batts disaster”.

The Essential Services Commission established an internal task force to engage a review of the initiative, in collaboration with NECA and Energy Safe Victoria. This saw an audit conducted both internally and externally, leading to the announcement on Monday.

“Compatibility of the LED with the transformer must be checked and this may require entering the roof space or exposing the transformer. The potential for installers to come into contact with live equipment is real. If you are not a licensed electrician, the likelihood of damage to property, injury or death is something that cannot be ignored” stated Ian. “It is an excellent outcome for all involved”.

While the State Government announced on Tuesday that the Energy Saver Incentive will finish at the end of 2015, consumers and installers (with the assistance from NECA) are now protected.

For the full announcement please visit Essential Services Commission or NECA Victoria website

EcoSmart Electricians is an initiative of National Electrical and Communications Association. 

Media enquiries and interviews
Ian Johnson – Manager – EcoSmart Electricians
E ian.johnson@neca.asn.au
D 03 9645 5533