Overview
The Requirements for the effective supervision of apprentice electricians outline the requirements and responsibilities for the effective supervision of electrical apprentices as provided for under section 39 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 (Vic) and Regulation 507 of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 (Vic).
On 1 September 2025, new requirements came into effect. The document outlines the legal responsibilities for employers and supervisors to provide effective supervision of their electrical apprentices.
Read, download or print the Requirements:
The requirements do not alter the responsibilities of employers and supervisors under other legislation, for example health and safety laws.
- Information on safety supervision obligations is available from WorkSafe Victoria.
Find out more at Worksafe OHS Responsibilities and Duties - Information on supervision requirements for cablers is available from the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Find out more at ACMA Unregistered Cablers must be Supervised - Information on responsibilities for managing apprentices is available from the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
Find out more at VRQA Manage Apprentice or Trainee
Introduction to changes to the requirements
This video outlines the key changes in the new requirements.
Following enquiries from industry, electrical workers and other regulators, Energy Safe Victoria wishes to clarify the compliance requirements relating to the supervision of apprentices undertaking electrical installation work.
- Any electrical equipment that normally operates at a voltage greater than extra-low voltage (ELV), that is, above 50 V ac or 120 V ripple-free dc, must be installed and connected by a licensed electrician.
- Electrical equipment includes any appliance, wire, fitting, cable, conduit or apparatus that generates, uses, conveys or controls (or that is intended to generate, use, convey or control) electricity.
- An electrical installation comprises electrical equipment that is fixed, or intended to be fixed, in, on, under or over land. It does not include a supply network owned or operated by a major electricity company.
- An apprentice electrician may undertake this work only under the effective supervision of a licensed electrician. An apprentice electrician is a person employed under a training contract as an electrician that is registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
Frequently asked questions
In June and July 2025, we held a series of Q&A webinars about the new requirements.
The answers to the questions asked during the sessions may assist employers, supervisors, apprentices and teachers in understanding the new requirements:
Date: 30/07/2026 3:15
Controlled document
The currency and accuracy of this document cannot be guaranteed once printed or saved to a storage device. If in doubt, please check the ESV website for the current version.
Reviewed