Electrical safety checklist

Use this to note what you can safely see or describe before contacting a licensed electrician. It is not a do-it-yourself electrical inspection.

Illustrative North Lakes living room with fitted power points

Stop if there is immediate danger

For fire, injury or immediate danger, call 000. Keep clear of damaged, wet or exposed electrical equipment. Do not open a switchboard, remove a cover, touch fixed wiring or repeatedly reset a tripping switch.

Faults and outlets

Note which rooms or outlets have lost power.
Record when the problem began and whether it repeats.
Tell the electrician about heat, burning smells, sparks or visible damage without touching the equipment.
Stop using a damaged outlet or appliance until professional advice is given.

Switchboard and protection

If labels are visible on a closed board, note which switch appears to trip.
Do not assume a circuit breaker gives the same protection as a safety switch.
Ask a licensed electrician which circuits have safety-switch protection.
Do not remove a cover to identify wiring or take a photo.

Smoke alarms

Note where alarms are installed and whether any chirp or fail to operate.
Tell the contractor if the property is a rental or has had substantial renovation.
Ask what Queensland requirements apply to the property, including location, interconnection and power source.
Do not disconnect an alarm or alter fixed wiring to silence a fault.

Before work begins

Check the electrical contractor licence through the Electrical Safety Office search.
Ask for a written scope, including testing and exclusions.
Confirm access and rental or body-corporate approvals.
Agree who handles any wall or ceiling making-good.

Need the next step?

If the issue is not an emergency, send a job enquiry with your safe observations. A contractor will confirm availability and whether an inspection is needed. For a planned job, use the electrical job planner to organise the details.

Method and limits

This checklist presents safe observations and questions drawn from Queensland Electrical Safety Office guidance. It does not calculate a score, apply a formula, inspect wiring or certify compliance. No benchmark price or condition data is used. A safety switch helps disconnect power when current leaks; a switchboard holds the home's circuit protection. Ask a licensed electrician to identify what is installed and what work is needed.