The Electrical Licensing Board is constituted under provisions of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.

Its primary function is to determine the competence of applicants for, and holders of, electrical licences and permits issued under the licensing regulations.

The board represents the interests of users (consumers) of electrical services, either through the use of electrical contractors or through the direct employment of electricians. The constitution of the Board balances the interests of traditional electrical industry stakeholders and those of consumers.

The board consists of eight members appointed by the Minister for Commerce as follows:

• an independent chairman with management and technical experience in the electrical industry;
• a nominee from bodies representing the interests of electrical workers;
• a nominee from bodies representing the interests of electrical contractors;
• a nominee from bodies representing the interests of electrical workers with restricted licences;
• a nominee from bodies representing the interests of large businesses, who are consumers of electrical services;
• a nominee from bodies representing the interests of small businesses, who are consumers of electrical services;
• a residential consumer of electrical services; and
• a representative of the Director of Energy Safety.

The current members of the Electrical Licensing Board are:

Susan Chew – Chair

Ms Chew is an experienced board member and has served on various boards of not-for-profit organisations providing health, disability and educational services. Susan currently serves on the boards for the Yued Aboriginal Corporation, Ember Connect and Alinea Inc. Susan has over 20 years of experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer having held senior legal roles for large organisations including multi-national corporations and ASX-listed companies in the engineering, IT (information technology), energy and utilities sectors. Susan 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. Her ability to apply legal reasoning and corporate governance brings a unique skillset to the Board.

Christopher Sweeting – Electrical contractors representative

Mr Christopher Sweeting has over 30 years of experience in the electrical industry. Currently, he is a member of the board for the ECA WA and Vice President of NECA WA. He is the electrical nominee and Director for Westwide Electrical Services, and has worked voluntarily with the College of Electrical Training and the Electrical Training Group Ltd boards.

Melissa Mammone – Representative for the Director of Energy Safety

Ms Melissa Mammone is currently employed by the Building and Energy Division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. She is a Chartered Accountant and brings with her experience as the Executive Officer for both the Building Services Board and the Plumbers Licensing Board and as Treasurer for the Pickering Brook Catholic Church Committee.

 

David von Kelaita – Licensed electrical workers representative

David von Kelaita is currently the head trainer with CSTA (Combined Skills Training Association) and was previously an organiser with the ETU WA. He has 14 years’ previous experience in the Royal Australian Navy as an Electronic Technician followed by five years carrying out electrical work in the construction and mining industries. With extensive experience carrying out electrical work and training electrical workers Mr von Kelaita brings valuable technical expertise as well as specialist knowledge of the training sector to the Board.

Luke Murphy – Electrical workers with restricted licenses representative

Mr Luke Murphy is a member of the Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association and is currently a Project Manager for Centigrade Mechanical Contracting. Mr Murphy is a restricted electrical licence holder and has over 15 years industry experience over a broad range of projects including both commercial and industrial. Mr Murphy’s experience in refrigeration and mechanical engineering provides the Board with a valuable and unique knowledge base in this field.

Baldwin Richard Javangwe – Consumers (large electrical businesses) representative

Mr Javangwe is currently a Senior Services & Project Engineer for Schneider Electric Australia, a multinational company that specialises in digital automation and energy management. Mr Javangwe is responsible for the design and commissioning of automation systems. Mr Javangwe has voluntary Board experience and is a current member of the Automation Systems and Integration Committee for Standards Australia, his electrical engineering knowledge and experience is an important asset to the Board.

Gillie Anderson – Consumers (residential) representative

Ms Anderson is currently the Senior Policy Advisor at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists WA Branch. She has held a number of policy and managerial positions for State Government and non-for-profit regulatory organisations. Ms Anderson has extensive experience as a consumer representative on a number of boards including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Medical Radiation Science Professionals Registration Board of Tasmania. Her experience in advocating for the community, operating in a regulatory framework and training as a lawyer will provides a unique skillset to the Board.

Current Electrical Licensing Board policies

• Fit and proper person assessment criteria for the issue of licences and permits – Adopted 17 Decemeber 2020
• Requirements for the issue of an Electrical Contractor's Licence – Adopted 21 October 2021
• Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Domestic Electrical Appliances – Adopted 20 January 2022
• Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Electronics and Communication Equipment – Adopted 20 January 2022
• Requirements for the issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Disconnect and Reconnect Motors and/or Composite Equipment – Adopted 20 January 2022
• Requirements for the issue of an Electrician's Training Licence – Adopted 21 April 2022
• Requirements for the restoration of an Electrical Contractor's Licence – Adopted 21 April 2022
• Requirements to be registered as a Nominee to an Electrical Contractor's or In-House Electrical Installing Work Licence – Adopted 21 April 2022
• Requirements for the issue of an Electrician's Licence based on the Onshore Technical Skills Assessment Record – Adopted 18 August 2022
• Requirements for the Restoration of a Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Mechanic's Restricted Electrical Licence – Adopted 17 November 2022
• Requirements to be Granted an Exemption to Hold an Electrical Contractor's Licence – Adopted 15 December 2022
• Requirements for the issue of an electrician's licence based on the Offshore Technical Skills Record – Adopted 25 May 2023
• Requirements for the Issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Plumbing and/or Type A Gasfitting Appliances – June 2023
• Requirements for the Issue of a Restricted Electrical Licence for Type B Gasfitting Appliances – June 2023