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    Authorised Person

    Working near electric lines

    What the rules say:

    • The Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) mandates that no person, plant or thing at the workplace can come within an unsafe distance of an overhead or underground electric line
    • A person comes within an unsafe distance of an overhead electric line if they are within the exclusion zone
    • The exclusion zone for a person, operating plant or vehicle for an overhead electric line, means the distance from the line stated for the each in schedule 2 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld)
    • The exclusion zones vary depending on the type of authorisation:
      • Authorised Person (Electrical)
      • Authorised Person (Non‑Electrical)
      • Instructed Person
      • Untrained Person.

    Authorised Person (Electrical)

    Who they are:

    An Authorised Person (Electrical) means a person who:

    • must have a Queensland Electrical Mechanic Licence,
    • has enough technical knowledge and experience to do work that involves contact with, or being near to, the electric line, and
    • has been approved by the person in control of the electric line (Ergon Energy Network and/or Energex) to do work that involves contact with, or being near to, the electric line, or is authorised to act for the person in control of the electric line.

    They’re permitted (where approved) to work closer to our electric lines due to their knowledge and competencies (refer Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines Appendix B Exclusion Zones for Overhead Electric Lines).

    Authorised Person (Electrical) can:

    • work on or near the point of attachment of the Distributor’s termination (where an electric line connects to a premises),
    • remove and replace service fuses on low voltage (LV) service lines to isolate electricity safely,
    • isolate a premises service line at a pillar or pole by removing a fuse wedge safely, and
    • act as a Safety Observer when trained, to watch work near electric lines.

    If the fuse or circuit breaker is not accessible, they must contact us to arrange Upstream Isolation or to arrange for a Safety Advice to remove the exclusion zone around the LV service line.

    An Authorised Person (Electrical) must:

    • comply with their duties and obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) including electrical safety duties under section 30 and 39,
    • comply with their duties and obligations under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) including under sections 68, 69 and schedule 2 relating to working near electric lines,
    • comply with all conditions stated in their Authorised Person approval letter,
    • comply with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 Working Near Overhead and Underground Electric Lines, and
    • use tools and checks that comply with Sections 14 and 15 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) to confirm isolation of the premises and ensure the power isn’t inadvertently turned back on.

    An Authorised Person (Electrical) cannot:

    • confirm the insulation properties of our electric lines,
    • work on our equipment or power lines unless they have specific permission,
    • replace a blown LV service fuse after loss of power to a premises,
    • replace a LV service fuse that we have removed,
    • change, remove or relocate our overhead LV service line or pillar connections.
    • perform LV isolation or unauthorised works within our locked assets, and
    • climb or work on our power poles or electricity network assets.

    Authorised Person (Non-Electrical)

    Who they are:

    An Authorised Person (Non-Electrical) means a person who:

    • does not hold a Queensland Electrical Mechanic Licence,
    • has enough technical knowledge and experience to do non-electrical work safely near to the electric line, and
    • has been approved by the person in control of the electric line (Ergon Energy Network and/or Energex) to do non-electrical work that involves being near to the electric line or is authorised to act for the person in control of the electric line.

    An Authorised Person (Non-Electrical) can:

    • be a Safety Observer when trained, watching over work near power lines.

    An Authorised Person (Non-Electrical) must:

    An Authorised Person (Non-Electrical) cannot:

    • confirm the insulation properties of our electric lines,
    • touch our electric infrastructure including lines, instillations or other equipment, and
    • climb or work on our power poles or electricity network assets.

    Instructed Person

    An Instructed Person for an electric line means a person who:

    • is acting under the supervision of an Authorised Person for the electric line.

    Untrained Person

    An Untrained Person for an electric line means a person who:

    • is not an Authorised Person or an Instructed Person for the electric line, and
    • must stay outside exclusion zones near electric lines.

    Why this matters

    Authorised Persons and others must ensure they comply with their duties and obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld).

    Following these rules helps keep everyone safe around electricity. If you're unsure what actions are okay for your role, always check with your supervisor before you start any work.

    How to apply to become an Authorised Person

    You can apply to be an Authorised Person (Electrical or Non-Electrical). Here’s what you need to do:

    1. 1 Check knowledge and experience

      Before applying, make sure you have the required technical knowledge and experience to do the work. This includes:

    2. 2 Complete required training

      To ensure applicants have the technical skills needed to be an Authorised Person, you must have completed the relevant training so you can attach your Training Completion Certificate to the online application form (step 3 below).

      For Authorised Person (Electrical or Non-Electrical)

      All applicants must have completed at least one of these approved courses:

      For Authorised Person (Electrical) only

      An Electrical Contractor, or a person who holds an Electrical Mechanic Licence and is performing work on behalf of a licenced Electrical Contractor, or a person with an Electrical Mechanic Licence who is doing work for themselves or a relative at a premises owned or occupied by the person or relative, can complete this online awareness course (instead of one of the courses above):

      Please note: If you don't receive your Training Completion Certificate by email after completing this course, please check the email address has been entered correctly and if necessary, contact the Authorised Persons team at authorisedperson@energyq.com.au.

    3. 3 Submit application online

      Submit our online Authorised Person request form, making sure to attach your Training Completion Certificate.

      Please note: If you are performing work for yourself or a relative at a premises owned or occupied by yourself or a relative, please use your own details as the business contact.

    4. 4 Approval and renewal

      We will provide written approval for the Authorised Person, which is valid for 12 months (temporary timeframe under review).

      You must renew before it expires. We do not send reminders.

      Please note: Approval is only valid while the Authorised Person remains with the employer for which the application was approved.

    5. 5 Maintaining compliance and safety

      Compliance

      A person conducting a business or undertaking should also ensure compliance with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020. All Authorised Persons must comply with the Code as a condition of their Authorised Person approval.

      Safety

      Under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld), a person conducting a business or undertaking (including an employer or self-employed person) must ensure the person’s business or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically safe.

      This includes:

      • ensuring that all electrical equipment used in the conduct of the person’s business or undertaking is electrically safe, and
      • if the person’s business or undertaking includes the performance of electrical work, ensuring the electrical safety of all persons and property likely to be affected by the electrical work, and
      • if the person’s business or undertaking includes the performance of work, whether or not electrical work, involving contact with, or being near to, exposed parts, ensuring persons performing the work are electrically safe.

    System keys

    Becoming an ‘Authorised Person’ does not automatically qualify the person to receive a system key. Only Authorised Persons as defined under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld), that are engaged as an Energy Queensland Supplier or an Accredited Service Provider under the applicable Work Category Specification, are able to apply to receive a system key to access our assets.

    Need help with Safety Advice?

    If you’re not sure you can meet your obligations under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld), contact us for Safety Advice. We can help with:

    • Turning off power (de-energising lines)
    • Moving lines
    • Putting lines underground
    • Adding insulated barriers or warning signs at your worksite.

    Costs may apply for services. We’ll give details after we complete a site inspection.

    How to arrange Safety Advice

    If your risk assessment shows your works cannot adhere to exclusion zones from the electric lines, you must:

    • Request written Safety Advice from us before starting work – use our online Safety Advice request form
    • Maintain exclusion zones until you receive our written Safety Advice.

    Please note: You don’t need to request Safety Advice if your risk assessment and controls ensure that exclusion zones from overhead electric lines will be maintained during the works at the site.

    Need more information?

    Read: Electricity Entity Requirements – Working Near overhead and underground electric lines (PDF 681.8 kb)

    Email: authorisedperson@energyq.com.au

    Phone:  Call our General Enquiries number (below in footer).