Building and Energy's three boards play a crucial role in regulating industry, provide expert advice and help maintain the trust and respect of the community.
We identify potential candidates for some board positions from OnBoardWA. Individuals with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds are encouraged to register their interest.
Building Services Board
The board is responsible for the registration of building service providers and for assessing the technical competency, fitness and propriety of registration holders and applicants. They also advise the Minister on relevant matters.
Functions
The functions of the Board include:
- Administering the building services occupations registration scheme.
- Monitoring qualification and training issues.
- Advising the Minister for Commerce on matters relating to regulation.
- Making decisions on investigations and disciplinary matters.
Current Membership
Chair – Venetia Bennett
Venetia is a commercial barrister with the Western Australian Bar Association, providing strategic advice to Australian and international organisations across the construction, resources, and sports industries. Venetia has over 15 years of board and committee experience, which has included serving as President of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association and as an independent member of the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee.
Deputy Chair and Building Representative – Jason Pennings
Jason has over 30 years' experience in the building industry and has been involved in multiple aspects of construction. Jason brings to the Board valuable knowledge and insight from the residential and commercial building sectors.
Building Representative – Serena Giudice
Serena is a registered building practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the residential and commercial sectors of the building industry. She has served as a committee member and chaired a regional branch of the Master Builders Association of Western Australia. In 2014, Serena became the first woman to win a Master Builders Association national construction award.
Building Surveyor Representative – Angela Lefante
Angela is a registered level 1 building surveying practitioner, with over 12 years’ experience working with legislation, building approval processes and enforcement. She is currently Coordinator of Building Services with the City of Swan. Angela’s extensive industry knowledge is a valuable asset to the Board.
Building Surveyor Representative – Michael Adams
Michael is a qualified level 1 building surveyor with over 20 years' industry experience in local government and the private sector. Michael provides building surveying services to a range of projects throughout Western Australia and has extensive technical experience in the application of the National Construction Code and associated legislation.
Painting and Decorating Representative – Jack Mast
Jack has more than 40 years' experience in the painting and decorating industry. He represents the industry as a member of the Master Painters and Decorators Australia Executive Committee and as the Director of MPA Skills. Jack is also Director of a prominent group of retail painting stores and the WA Zone Director for the company.
Painting and Decorating Representative – Erin Pascoe
Erin is a registered painter with almost 20 years’ experience in the painting and decorating industry. She is currently the proprietor of Kellerberrin-based company, Wheatbelt Painting, which offers residential and commercial painting services to the Perth metropolitan area and South-West region. Erin’s industry knowledge and experience as a female business owner offers a contemporary perspective to the Board.
Consumer Representative – Jeya Ramanathan
Jeya is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant. An experienced board and committee member, representative on the Regional Appeals Committee for Department of Communities (Housing)and an accredited Business Advisor of Business Enterprises Centre of Australia. She was the National Director of Policy in the Australian Taxation Office and has extensive experience in compliance and governance work. In addition to this, Jeya is also a Justice of the Peace.
Consumer Representative – Fiona Cross
Fiona has over 15 years’ professional legal experience, specialising in commercial law, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. She is experienced at handling a range of commercial law matters, including those related to consumer protection. Fiona is currently General Counsel with WA Country Health Service.
Policies
Building practitioner and contractor
- Management and supervision - application and renewal for building registration
- Conduct of examinations - building practitioner (sets 4 and 5)
- Building practitioner experience assessments
- Equivalent qualifications - building practitioner (set 1)
Painting practitioner and contractor
Building surveying practitioner and contractor
Building engineering practitioner and contractor
Owner-builder
- Sufficient knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of an owner-builder
- Owner-builder approval - request to waive six-year requirement
General
- Professional indemnity insurance requirements – building engineering contractors and building surveying contractors
- Material personal interest
- Fit and proper assessment criteria for the issue of registrations
- Late applications for building service providers' renewal of registration
- Conditions on registrations
- Applications for registration under mutual recognition legislation
Electrical Licensing Board
The Board is responsible for issuing electrical licences and for overseeing the competency of licence/permit holders and applicants. They also advise the Minister on relevant matters.
Functions
The functions of the Board include:
- Monitoring matters relating to the qualification, training and safety of electrical workers and electrical contractors.
- Issuing licences and permits for electrical workers and electrical contractors based on an assessment of competence.
- Conducting or arranging for examinations to assess the competence and proficiency of licence holders and applicants.
- Advising the Minister for Commerce and the Director of Energy Safety on matters relating to the licensing and regulation of electrical workers and electrical contractors.
- Performing other functions conferred on it by the Regulations.
Current Membership
Chair - Susan Chew
Susan has over 20 years' experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer in the engineering, information technology and energy sectors. She is also a corporate governance professional, holding formal qualifications from the Governance Institute of Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. An experienced board member, Susan has served on a range of boards for not-for-profit organisations.
Representative for the Director of Energy Safety - Melissa Mammone
Melissa is Manager Business Analysis with the DEMIRS’ Building and Energy division and is also Treasurer for the Pickering Brook Catholic Church Committee. A qualified chartered accountant, Melissa has previously served as Executive Officer for the Building Services Board and the Plumbers Licensing Board.
Representative for Electrical Workers - David von Kelaita
David is currently head trainer with the Combined Skills Training Association. He was previously with the Royal Australian Navy where he gained 14 years’ experience as an electronic technician. David brings to the Board his technical expertise and specialist knowledge of the training sector.
Representative for Electrical Workers with Restricted Licenses - Luke Murphy
Luke is a member of the Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association and is currently Project Manager for Centigrade Mechanical Contracting. He holds a restricted electrical licence and has over 15 years' industry experience across a range of projects, including commercial and industrial. Luke’s experience in refrigeration and mechanical engineering provides an important perspective to the Board.
Representative for Electrical Contractors - Saf Flatters
Saf is an electrical contractor and currently runs a domestic electrical business. She has extensive prior experience working as an electrical supervisor, coordinator and advisor in the commercial, high voltage and mining sectors. Saf is the volunteer board Director with the Electrotechnology Training Institute (formally ECA WA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Consumer (Residential) Representative - Vacant
Consumer (Small Business) Representative - Paul Rees
Paul is the Director of a small, registered building company with over 30 years’ experience as a small business owner and operator. He has also been a pharmacist for more than 35 years and is the proprietor of two community pharmacies in Western Australia and branch committee member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Paul has extensive board and committee experience and brings his diverse knowledge to the Board.
Consumer (Large Business) Representative - Noel Michelson
Noel is an electrical engineer for Rio Tinto, where he has worked across a range of engineering, operational and project roles for almost 20 years. He is currently Integration Manager – RT Energy and Climate and has recently been led to Rio Tinto’s Electrical Safety Steering Committee and is a member of the Pilbara ISOCo Risk Sub Committee. Noel’s broad knowledge of various electrical disciplines is a valuable asset to the Board.
Policies
Electricians' training licence
Electrician’s licence
- Requirements for the issue of an electrician's licence based on the Onshore Technical Skills Assessment Record
- Requirements for the issue of an electrician's licence based on the Offshore Technical Skills Record
- Requirements for the upgrade of an electrician’s licence endorsed electrical fitting work only to an electrician’s licence
- Training requirements for the issue of an electrician's licence endorsed electrical fitting work only
Restricted electrical licence
- Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Domestic Electrical Appliances
- Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Electronics and Communication Equipment
- Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Disconnect and Reconnect Motors and/or Composite Equipment
- Requirements for the Restoration of a Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Mechanic's Restricted Electrical Licence
- Requirements for the Issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Plumbing and/or Type A Gasfitting Appliances
- Requirements for the Issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Type B Gasfitting Appliances
Electrical contractor and in-house installing work licence
- Requirements to be registered as a Nominee to an Electrical Contractor's or In-House Electrical Installing Work Licence
- Requirements to be Granted an Exemption to Hold an Electrical Contractor's Licence
- Requirements for the issue of an Electrical Contractor's Licence
- Requirements for the restoration of an Electrical Contractor's Licence
General
Approved Registered Training Organisations
Plumbers Licensing Board
The Board is responsible for the licensing of plumbing contractors and plumbing tradespeople and for overseeing their competency. They also advise the Minister on relevant matters.
Functions
The functions of the Board include:
- Monitoring matters relating to the qualification and training of plumbers and providing advice on those matters to the Minister for Commerce (Minister) and other person/s as requested by the Minister.
- Advising the Minister on matters relating to the licensing and regulation of plumbers.
- Administering any licensing scheme provided for by the Regulations.
- Performing licensing, disciplinary, and other functions as defined by the Regulations.
- Carrying out any other functions conferred on it by any other written law.
Current Membership
Chair - Rebecca Johnston
Rebecca is the legal practice director of Johnston Wheeler and an experienced board member. Appointed to represent the interests of consumers, she brings expertise in corporate and commercial law. Rebecca has extensive legal experience advising private and publicly listed companies, their boards and senior management on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters.
Deputy Chair and Consumer Representative - Laura Groves
Laura is a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor, specialising in administrative law. She is also a committee member for the Midland Branch of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Laura brings to the Board her experience in the delivery of community focused outcomes.
Consumer Representative - Gladys Demissie
Gladys has worked for the Australian Taxation Office for over 30 years, across various areas of tax law and its administration. She is also a member of the Regional Appeals Committee at Department of Communities. Gladys brings to the Board her administrative decision-making skills and governance expertise.
Plumbing Representative - Paul White
Paul has over 45 years’ industry experience, which has included a range of plumbing and hydraulic design roles. He has served on a range of boards and committees and is the immediate past President of the Association of Hydraulic Service Consultants Australia (WA Chapter). Paul is also a qualified and practising Justice of the Peace.
Plumbing Representative - William Fogarty
William has over 18 years’ experience in the plumbing industry, which has included running a small business. For over a decade, William has been a dedicated union member and currently serves as a volunteer firefighter.
Plumbing Representative - Murray Thomas
Murray is a qualified plumbing contractor and is currently CEO of the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia. In 2011, he became the first plumbing industry representative to be appointed to the Australian Building Codes Board and in 2016 was appointed for a further 5 years. Murray sits on many industry boards and committees advocating and representing the plumbing industry.
Plumbing Representative - Tehani Mahony
Tehani is a licensed plumber based in Broome and is employed at Horizon Power. Tehani was Victorian NAIDOC Apprentice of the Year in 2006 and in 2008 was the Peter Pratt Indigenous Apprentice of the Year, awarded by the Governor of Victoria and the Victorian Plumbing Industry.
Policies
Plumbing Tradesperson Licence
- Applications for the renewal of a provisional tradesperson's licence
- Qualifications required to obtain a Tradesperson's Licence or a Tradesperson's licence (drainage plumbing)
Plumbing Contractor's Licence
Restricted Plumbing Permit
- Qualifications required to obtain a restricted plumbing permit
- Qualifications required to obtain a restricted plumbing permit (water heater)
- Experience required to obtain a restricted plumbing permit (rainwater storage)
General
- Photographs for identification cards
- Re-issues of plumbing licences and permits
- Fit and proper assessment criteria for the issue of plumbing licences
- Recording of minor plumbing work
- Refund of plumbers’ fees
- Public naming
- Drainage plumbing diagrams - minimum specifications
- Drainage plumbing diagrams - minimum specifications - Guidance note
- Drainage plumbing diagram template
- General direction and control or supervision – Guidelines for licensed plumbing contractors
- Record of authorised workers engaged by service provider
- Qualifications required for an authorised worker
