Only licensed electricians can change light bulbs in Australia

The Short Answer

MYTH (NOW)! This WAS technically true in Victoria before 1999. Order in Council G17 (1999) specifically exempted "changing a light bulb and removing a plug from a socket" from licensing requirements.

The Full Story

The History: This WAS technically true before 1999. The Electricity Safety Act made all electrical work by unlicensed persons illegal, with no specific exemption for light bulbs.

What Changed: Order in Council G17 (1999) specifically exempted "changing a light bulb and removing a plug from a socket" from licensing requirements.

Current Law: You CAN legally change standard light bulbs yourself. You CANNOT:

Install new light fittings
Replace light switches
Do any work involving fixed wiring
Change hardwired fixtures

Energy Safe Victoria Official Statement: "I can confirm that it is not illegal to change a light bulb in Victoria... changing a light bulb and removing a plug from a socket were specifically exempted."

Common Misconceptions

People often claim this was once a real law in Victoria, Australia, but the Electricity Safety Act 1998 always exempted simple tasks like changing a light bulb. The confusion arises because Australia does require licensed electricians for most other electrical work, including changing light fittings or any task involving fixed wiring.

Actual Legal Text

No such law exists. While Victoria's Electricity Safety Act 1998 makes it illegal to perform unlicensed electrical work, changing a light bulb was specifically exempted under Order in Council G17 (1999). A spokeswoman from Energy Safe Victoria confirmed: "It is not illegal to change a light bulb in Victoria." Replacing a light bulb is explicitly excluded from the definition of "electrical work" across all Australian states and territories.