The Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 were amended on 17 October 2024 to establish ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training requirements for licensed electricians.  

Licensed electricians must now complete a CPR course approved by the Director of Energy Safety (an ‘approved CPR course’) at intervals not exceeding three years.

FAQs

Who needs to complete CPR training?

All licensed electricians in Western Australia. That is, those who hold an electrical worker’s licence endorsed as an electrician’s licence (including an electrician’s licence endorsed for electrical fitting work only).

These CPR training requirements do not apply to those who hold a restricted electrical licence or to pre-apprentices and apprentices who hold an electrical training licence.

What CPR training do I need to complete?

You must complete a CPR course approved by the Director of Energy Safety (an ‘approved CPR course’).

The Director of Energy Safety has approved the following unit of competency as an approved CPR course:

• HLTAID009 – Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation

This unit of competency must be completed with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) approved to deliver the unit. 

You can verify whether an RTO is approved to deliver the unit by visiting Training.gov.au and searching:

• ‘HLTAID009’ and following the link to the list of RTOs approved to deliver the unit; or
• a particular RTO and following the link to its ‘Scope’, which lists the units of competency it has approval to deliver.

Where do I complete CPR training?

The approved CPR course is available nationally and delivered by many RTOs in metropolitan and regional locations across Australia. 

It is recommended that you check Training.gov.au to verify an RTO is approved to deliver the HLTAID009 unit before enrolling.

Is CPR training subsidised?

Licensed electricians working in the Western Australian building and construction industry may be eligible for funding through the Construction Training Fund (CTF). 

To find out if you are eligible for funding, visit the CTF website for further information.

When do I need to complete CPR training?

If you were licensed in Western Australia (WA) when CPR training requirements came into effect on 16 October 2024, you must complete an initial approved CPR course within three years of this date.

If you were licensed in WA after 16 October 2024, you must complete an initial approved CPR course within three years of becoming licensed.

The requirement to complete CPR training is ongoing.  After completing your initial CPR training, you must complete an approved CPR course at least once every three years while you continue to be licensed in WA.

Will I get a reminder to complete CPR training?

No, it is up to you to remember when you need to complete your CPR training.

Can I get an extension of time or an exemption from having to complete CPR training?

Requests for an extension of time for completing an approved CPR course or an exemption from CPR training requirements will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

To request an extension of time or an exemption, you must apply to the Director of Energy Safety.  An application facility is currently being established, with further details to be provided in the near future.

Do I need to keep a record of my CPR training?

Yes, you need to keep a record of completing an approved CPR course for a period of five years from the date it was completed.  Audits will be conducted and you will need to produce evidence that you have completed an approved CPR course.

Will you recognise any other CPR training?

No, CPR training must be an approved CPR course.  Currently, only the HLTAID009 – Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation unit of competency has been approved. 

What happens if I don’t complete CPR training?

Audits will be conducted.  Licensed electricians who fail to complete an approved CPR course may be issued an infringement notice, the fine for which is $500.

Repeated or belligerent non-compliance may see a licensed electrician prosecuted, which can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

Will Building and Energy check if I have completed by CPR training?

Yes, Building and Energy will conduct audits of licensed electricians’ compliance with CPR training requirements.