How to wire a light switch in Australia
Index
A guide for how to wire a light switch in Australia
Want to know how to wire a light switch in Australia? While many savvy homeowners are motivated to save money with easy DIY jobs, domestic Australian light switch wiring must always be carried out by a qualified and licensed electrician.
Although, light switch wiring is quite a simple process, it can be extremely dangerous. Dodgy wiring can lead to serious injury, illness and even death. In this guide, we explore:
- Laws around light switch wiring Australia
- When you need to hire an electrician
- The cost to have a light switch installed
- How to change a light switch plate, and
- How a light switch is wired by an electrician.
Want to find an electrician in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?
Is DIY light switch wiring legal in Australia?
In Australia, if you don’t hold an electricians license, then it is illegal to carry out any DIY electrical work. While light switch wiring may seem like a simple task, without proper training and qualifications you are putting yourself and other people at risk. Hiring a licensed electrician is essential for any wiring you need done in your home.
Each state in Australia has different laws surrounding electrical work, but the main premise they share is that any wiring being carried out must be performed by a licensed electrician.
Let’s explore the state laws and penalties involved for illegal electrical work:
QLD
According to Worksafe Queensland, any illegal, unlicensed wiring or re-wiring of a switch (and other electrical tasks) comes with penalties of up to $40,000 for individuals. For DIY electrical work that places a person at risk of death, illness or serious injury, there is a maximum penalty of $600,000 for an individual or five years imprisonment, and $3,000,000 for a corporation.
NSW
In New South Wales, any electrical work conducted must be licensed. Illegal electrical wiring can attract a fine of $22,000 for an individual.
VIC
DIY light switch wiring is illegal in Victoria, as is any electrical work. Unlicensed electrical work carries penalties of up to $5,000 for individuals.
SA
Wiring a light switch in South Australia is illegal and without a trade license, relevant training and a certificate of compliance, the fine for illegal electrical work is $5,500.
WA
Any modifications to fixed wiring or electrical work carried out by an unlicenced individual is illegal in Western Australia and must be carried out by a professional. Your electrician must provide you with an electrical safety certificate within 28 days. An individual found guilty of illegal electrical work, can receive large fines and an order for damages to compensate the Network Operator for any loss or rectification, including court costs.
TAS
All electrical wiring work in Tasmania must be completed by a licenced electrician. Steep penalties apply if you’re found guilty for DIY wiring.
NT
Like all other states, DIY electrical jobs are illegal in Northern Territory and can incur penalties.
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When should I hire an electrician?
It goes without saying, when you need any work done on wires in your home, it’s time to call in the professionals. When it comes to problems with an existing switch, get in touch with an electrician for any of these reasons:
- Your light’s not switching on
- Sparking, smoking, melting or burning
- The switch is making hissing, frying or zapping noises
- Circuit breakers are tripping
- If the switch is causing any type of electric shock
- Flickering lights even after bulb replacement
- You want to install, remove or replace a switch
If there is any sparking, smoke, melting, burning or electric shock coming from your light switches, immediately turn off the power and ring a qualified sparkie to attend to your problem.
Want to find an electrician in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?
Light switch installation cost
Fortunately, the cost to have a light switch installed or rewired is not too expensive. Generally, the cost to have a licenced electrician install a light switch in your home is usually about $200. Rewiring your entire home, however, could set you back a few thousand dollars.
There are certain factors that can affect light switch installation cost. It might be more expensive if you need a larger quantity of cabling, which means more labour and materials. Wiring a dimmer switch in Australia is also more expensive due to the price of the materials.
The cost to have a light switch installed by a qualified electrician is worth it to ensure you and your family are safe and your home insurance remains valid.
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How to change light switch plates
While domestic Australian light switch wiring must be conducted by a licensed electrician, you can legally change light switch plates safely at home.
Light switch plates are normally pretty easy to remove with a regular screwdriver. To ensure your safety, firstly, turn off the power at the fuse box. This will ensure that if there are loose wires, you will be protected from any shock. Simply remove the light switch plate and screw back on the new one.
We do, however, recommend hiring an electrician when changing light switch plates. You never know if there are damaged wires or issues lurking behind the plate that could cause you serious harm.
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Wiring light switch Australia: a step-by-step process
If you still want to know how to wire a light switch for education purposes, we will guide you through the steps a professional electrician will take when wiring a light switch in your home.
Please don’t try this at home. Keep it legal and safe, and engage the help of a qualified tradesman for any and all electrical work!
The main way to wire light switches in Australia is referred to as the “loop at the light” method. Less commonly, they may use the 2 way light switch wiring method. Refer to the basic light switch wiring diagram below to see how a light switch operates.
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Want to find an electrician in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?
How a sparkie wires a light switch:
1. Firstly, before your electrician touches any damaged light switch, they will turn off the power to your home at the fuse box. They also make sure the light switch is set to off before they start, just in case. Often, they use a device called a voltmeter to assess if their is a current or not.
2. Next, they remove the switch plate or assembly cover, before unscrewing the switch from the assembly.
3. Your electrician will check the wires before installing the new light switch assembly. In this step, they unscrew all the wires to see whether they are frayed or damaged at all. In this case they might need to be trimmed or re-stripped.
4. When wiring a light switch in Australia, there are usually three different wire colours. There’s usually a white, black and green or bare wire. The electrician will attach them to the new assembly in the same fashion they were attached to the old switch. Once they’re all screwed back in, they’ll give them a light tug to ensure they’re connected firmly.
5. Now it’s time for your sparkie to reattach the assembly or switch plate, making sure not to catch any wires.
6. Finally, the power will be turned back on and your tradie will check to see that the new light switch is working properly.
Compare multiple electrical quotes
Whether you are having issues with an existing light switch, need a new switch or dimmer, or simply want new lighting installed in your home, hire a licensed electrical contractor for the job. It’s never the right time for DIY electrical work!
Choose a local electrician with a good reputation, licenced to wire a light switch or complete any other electrical task you need done. Make sure they are insured, will provide a written quote, and have solid references.
With Yellow Pages, you can compare multiple free quotes from local sparkies and get a good understanding of local market rates.