Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Work
If someone did electrical work at your place and you never received one of these, that's worth knowing about.
What a CCEW is
A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work is the document a licensed electrical contractor issues to certify that work they carried out complies with the requirements and has been tested. In NSW it is a legal obligation for notifiable electrical work, not a courtesy.
It records who did the work, what the work was, the licence number, and that the required testing was carried out. A copy goes to you and, where required, to the network operator.
It is a small piece of paper that does a lot of work: it is your evidence that the installation was done properly, it's what an insurer may ask for after an incident, and it is what a purchaser's solicitor may ask for when you sell.
When you should have received one
These jobs are notifiable. A certificate should have followed each one.
A switchboard upgrade or replacement
Always notifiable. If you had a board replaced and never got a certificate, ask the contractor for it — they're obliged to have issued one.
Call 0422 253 379New circuits, or alterations to existing circuits
Adding a circuit for an oven, air conditioner, EV charger or shed submain is notifiable work.
Call 0422 253 379Solar or battery installation
Yes, and it matters more than most — it's grid-connected equipment and the network operator has an interest in it.
Call 0422 253 379A rewire, full or partial
Certainly notifiable, and the certificate is a significant document to hold when you eventually sell.
Call 0422 253 379You're selling and can't produce certificates for past work
Not automatically a problem, but a purchaser's solicitor may ask. An inspection now is easier than a dispute during a cooling-off period.
Call 0422 253 379How we handle it
Every job we do that requires a certificate gets one, issued and lodged as required, without you having to ask. It arrives with your invoice.
If you're chasing certificates for work someone else did and can't get them, we can't issue a certificate for another contractor's work — nobody can. What we can do is inspect and test the installation as it stands and give you a written report on its condition, which is the practical alternative when the original contractor is unreachable or out of business.
Compliance certificate questions
What is a CCEW?
A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work — the document a licensed electrical contractor issues certifying that notifiable work complies and has been tested. It's a legal requirement in NSW, not optional paperwork.
Do I get one for every job?
For notifiable work, yes — switchboard upgrades, new or altered circuits, solar, rewires. Replacing a light fitting on an existing circuit generally isn't notifiable. We'll tell you which category your job falls into.
My electrician never gave me a certificate. What now?
Ask them — they're obliged to have issued one and can usually reissue a copy. If they're unreachable or no longer trading, no other contractor can issue a certificate for their work. The practical alternative is an inspection and written report on the installation as it stands.
Do I need certificates to sell my house?
There's no blanket requirement to produce them, but a purchaser's solicitor may ask about recent work, and being unable to answer is an awkward position during a cooling-off period.
Does the certificate mean the whole house is compliant?
No, and this is a common misunderstanding. It certifies the specific work that was done. The rest of the installation is unaffected by it.
How long should I keep them?
Indefinitely. They cost nothing to keep and they're exactly the document you'll want when selling, insuring, or proving that work was done properly.
What customers say
Reliable and quality service.
Fantastic service! Friendly, efficient and well priced. Highly recommend. Thank you for swiftly fixing our switches.
Excellent value and service, including follow-up.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile