The Building Commission NSW released the Supervision Practice Standard (SPS) for electrical apprentices in December 2023 following industry concern about apprentice supervision in the industry. The new standard is expected to become a mandatory, legal requirement in September 2024.

The new standard covers appropriate supervision requirements, levels and ratios for the supervision of electrical apprentices.

The new standard states: “The new SPS for electrical apprentices aims to respond to compliance issues and industry needs by clarifying the appropriate levels and ratios of supervision depending on the experience of an apprentice.

“These guidelines will assist businesses, license holders and apprentices to understand their rights and obligation and make the necessary arrangements to ensure safety and compliance.”

The SPS acts as a guideline to help businesses, license holders and apprentices to understand their rights and obligations. It also details the supervision requirements of electrical apprentices to achieve compliant work safely.

Once mandatory, a failure to comply with the SPS will attract enforcement action and penalties.