Exemptions

Energy Safe Victoria and exemptions

The information below relates to the following 2 types of exemptions:

Regulation 701 of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 – exempting any electrical work or any person from the requirements of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 or the relevant Standards

Exemption to install electric lines on public land – In Victoria, only persons specified in section 46 of Electricity Safety Act, or those exempted by an order from the Governor in Council under section 47, can install electric lines on public land. Exempted persons are required to provide Energy Safe with specified information in relation to electric lines on public land.

If you have any questions about these exemptions, contact us on 03 9203 9700 or by email at info@energysafe.vic.gov.au.

Regulation 701 exemption

Energy Safe may exempt any electrical work or any person from the requirements of the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 or the relevant Standards referenced as normative, subject to any conditions specified by Energy Safe (Regulation 701).

The Regulation 701 exemption replaces the 401 exemption under the previous installations regulations.

Exemptions under Regulation 701 are not used for applications for exemption under section 47 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 in relation to electric lines installed on public land – see below.

Regulation 701 exemption applications

Exemption applications must be in writing, and include the following information:

• Applicant’s name, telephone number, business and postal address
• Exemption requested
• Reasons for 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 the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 or 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

• Download a template exemption application and payment form:

Note: download the form and open it in Adobe Acrobat to enable digital signatures.

Provide the information requested above, along with your payment details via:

Part7exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au
Attention: Manager Electrical Installation Safety

or

Application for exemption
Manager Electrical Installation Safety
Energy Safe Victoria
PO Box 262
Collins Street West VIC 8007

Application fee

From 1 July 2025 the application fee for a Regulation 701 exemption is $100.69.

• This is equivalent to 5.99 fee units. (The Victorian Government adjusts fee units annually).
• Application fees are non-refundable.
• Payment of the application fee does not mean that an exemption will be granted.

Electric lines on public land

We have updated the guidelines for people engaging with Energy Safe when seeking to install electric lines on public land.

Eligibility

Section 46 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 (the Act) specifies who can install electric lines on public land. Additionally, an Order in Council(opens in a new window) exempts other individuals from section 46 thereby allowing them to also install electric lines on public land, if they meet specific requirements outlined in the Order. One key requirement is that these individuals must provide specified information to Energy Safe within 14 days of installing or removing electric lines on public land.

New Guideline

Previously, Energy Safe issued confirmation of exemption letters to persons exempt under the Order. However, we recently reviewed our approach and have decided to cease this practice. We will instead issue confirmation of having received the required information.

We have created a new Guideline that clarifies the roles of Energy Safe and persons installing electric lines on public land.

Under the legislative framework, Energy Safe’s role is simply to receive information from exempt persons in line with the requirements of the Order in Council. Responsibility lies with those seeking to install electric lines on public land to determine whether they qualify under the Act or for an exemption under the Order. If there is uncertainty, we recommend seeking legal advice.

Additionally, the Guideline notes that Energy Safe cannot grant exemptions or approvals for installing electric lines on public land for persons not currently exempt under the Order in Council. If you are seeking exemptions, or have any questions about obtaining an exemption, please contact Energy Safe via email: ESVELPL.Exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au.

Previously, Energy Safe issued confirmation of exemption letters to individuals and businesses exempt under the Order in Council. This practice has ceased. It is now the responsibility of persons to check if they qualify for an exemption under the Order in Council.

Submitting information to Energy Safe

Persons who install electric lines on public land in accordance with an exemption under the Order in Council must provide specified information to Energy Safe within the defined timeframes, as outlined in our guideline. Please use the ‘Electric Lines on Public Land Exemption Form’ and submit it along with any additional documentation to Energy Safe via email: ESVELPL.Exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au.

Further information

If you need more information about exemptions or the required information, you can contact Energy Safe at:

Email: ESVELPL.Exemptions@energysafe.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 9203 9700