Cody De Waal, trading as Customised Electrics and Air, was ordered to pay a $3,500 fine and costs of $951.50 at Perth Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.

The court was told Cody never held any electrical licence and was never a licensed electrical worker or contractor.

In March 2025, Cody responded to a home owners request for electrical work via a services website. He provided a written quote for a switchboard relocation at the property in eastern Victoria.

The electrical work was carried out which included moving the switchboard and metre enclosure, as well as altering the wiring behind the metre panel and in the ground.

In court on 4 April 2025, Magistrate Catherine Crawford acknowledged Cody’s early guilty plea and limited capacity to pay a fine. Catherine says the charges were serious and noted an inherent risk of harm from electricity and the “potential risk of harm” due to the nature of the work.

WA Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan says the case showed the significance of licencing requirements for electrical work.

“To ensure safety and compliance, at least four years of training and experience are required to become a licensed electrician. Electrical contractors must also certify their work, which is then subject to inspection,” he says.

“Fortunately no one was injured in this case, but problems did occur with the work. The network operator and an electrical contractor were required to attend to ensure the installation was safe and compliant. I urge all consumers to check their electrical service provider is appropriately licensed, prior to using them, through the Building and Energy website or the ServiceWA app.”