The ETU has beaten back an attempt to expand the scope of the RAC licence (i.e. the fridgies licence) into electrical work.
In 2023 the UEER training package increased training for the supply and installation of cables. An additional course was added that covers cable sizing, selection and installation requirements.
Due to this additional course being included in the UEER training package, NECA/RACCA SANT applied to the South Australian Business and Consumer Commission to expand RAC license provisions to allow RAC technicians to perform electrical work – this is potentially a conflict of interest given that RACCA is a division of NECA SA/NT Branch.
The CEPU SA received a letter from the Commissioner to give feedback on this application. The ETU responded (at a National and State level) that the union opposed the application to expand the scope – citing a lack of education and training for RAC technicians to safely perform this work. A significant gap in the required training is the testing requirements for the installation.
The union received no response from the Commissioner regarding our detailed safety concerns.
The Commissioner then replied with the date they would be changing the licensing regime to allow RAC technicians to perform electrical work.
The ETU wrote to the Commission again, again highlighting the safety issues and concerns. In February of this year, after this last lot of correspondence from the union, the ETU attended a meeting with the Commissioner, the result of which was the decision to expand the scope of the RAC license was put on hold to allow for further deliberation.
The Masters Electricians also issued a submission to the Commission in support of the ETU’s position. Interstate licensing organisations also agreed, as did Powering Skills Organisation Australia.
In June this year, the ETU received correspondence that the Commission had abandoned the plan to expand the scope of RAC licence.
We all know how important electrical safety is and, after hearing from us, the SA Business and Consumer Commission agrees. The ETU has defended the importance of our electrical license, yet again.
The ETU will always stand up against any watering down or reduction of our trades.
Electrical installation work needs an electrical license.