Exemptions
Information on this page relates to 2 types of exemptions:
- Exemption under Regulation 701: Electrical contractors or electrical installation workers may apply for an exemption under Regulation 701 of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019
- Electric lines on public land: The only persons who can install electric lines on public land are those:
specified in section 46 of Electricity Safety Act 1998, or exempted by an order from the Governor in Council under section 47. Exempted persons are required to provide Energy Safe with specified information in relation to electric lines on public land.
Regulation 701 exemption
An electrical contractor or electrical installation worker may apply for the electrical work that they undertake to be exempted from the requirements of Part 2 the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019
Energy Safe may specify conditions as part of any exemption that is granted.
Applying for a regulation 701 exemption
Exemption applications must be in writing, and include the following information:
- applicant’s name and contact details
- details of the exemption requested
- reasons for requesting the exemption
- relevant technical information, including details showing that the granting of an exemption will not reduce the level of safety from physical injury, fire and electric shock from the level that would be provided under Part 2 of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 (including the relevant Standards.)
- a written agreement to the proposed exemption signed by the owner, occupier or controlling body of the land on which the work is to be carried out.
Lodging a Regulation 701 exemption application
1. Download the application form and complete the required information and payment details sections.
Tip: Open the downloaded form in Adobe Acrobat to enable digital signatures.
2. Submit the completed form to Energy Safe via:
Email
Part7exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au
Attention: Manager Electrical Installation Safety
Post
Application for exemption
Head of Electrical Installation Safety
Energy Safe Victoria
PO Box 262
Collins Street West VIC 8007
Application fee
From 1 July 2026 the application fee for a Regulation 701 exemption is $103.45. This is equivalent to 5.99 fee units.
The Victorian Government adjusts fee units annually. More information is available on the Department of Treasury and Finance website: www.dtf.vic.gov.au
Application fees are non-refundable. Payment of the application fee does not mean that an exemption will be granted.
Electric lines on public land
The following guidance has been developed for people seeking to install electric lines on public land.
Eligibility
Section 46 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 specifies who can install electric lines on public land.
Certain persons may be exempted from compliance with section 46, if they meet the requirements of the Order from the Governor in Council.(opens in a new window)
Energy Safe cannot grant exemptions or approvals for installing electric lines on public land for persons not currently exempt under the Order in Council.
It is the responsibility of persons seeking to install electric lines on public land to check if they qualify under the Act or for an exemption under the Order in Council. If there is uncertainty, we recommend seeking legal advice.
If you are seeking an exemption, or have any questions about obtaining an exemption, please contact Energy Safe via email: ESVELPL.Exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au.
Requirements
The Order in Council specifies the terms and conditions that an exempted person must comply with, including providing specified information to Energy Safe.
Details of what information must be submitted, how to submit it, and what Energy Safe does with the information, is available in our Electrical Lines on Public Land Guideline.
Energy Safe’s role is to receive information from exempt persons in line with the requirements of the Order in Council.
Submitting information to Energy Safe
To comply with the Order in Council, specified information must be provided to Energy Safe within 14 days.
1. Download the submission form:(opens in a new window)
Electrical Lines on Public Land Submission Form(opens in a new window)
PDF 192.67 KB(opens in a new window)
2. Submit the completed form, along with any additional documentation to Energy Safe for review: ESVELPL.Exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au.
Date: 17/10/2026 23:37
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