Switchgear Worker’s Licence (SW)
Switchgear Worker’s Licence (SW)
On This Page
On this page
Booking an SW Assessment
About the SW Assessment
Eligibility to sit the SW Assessment
What to bring for the SW Assessment
SW Training
Obtaining an SW Licence
The holder of a Switchgear Workers licence (SW) is entitled to carry out electrical installation work that is limited to the assembly, alteration, repair and maintenance of switchgear and control gear assemblies
This licence does not allow the licence holder to carry out electrical installation work for profit or reward.
The information below should be read in conjunction with the Energy Safe Victoria (Energy Safe) website.
As an Energy Safe approved assessment centre, all Switchgear theory and practical assessments are conducted by Future Energy Skills (FES).
The SW is a combination of two assessments, undertaken on separate occasions:
For all practical assessments, these are simulating ‘real life’ workplace environment. As such, all candidates must dress appropriately and wear the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Long sleeves
- Long pants (no tracksuit pants)
- Enclosed footwear (no runners)
If candidates are not wearing the appropriate clothing as per AS/NZS 4836:2011 Safe Working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment, FES is required to exclude them from the assessment.
All candidates will also need to bring an Analogue Insulation Resistance and Continuity Tester.
Criteria for testers are:
- Analogue only
- No indication for Pass/Fail
- Minimum of 250V/500V scale
- Minimum 2x continuity scales
- True moving coil meter
Please note that replacement testers will only be provided if candidate’s batteries run out or the tester is within calibration.
- Standards and Regulations:
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical Installations – Wiring Rules
- AS/NZS 4836:2023 Safe working on or near low voltage & extra low voltage electrical installations & equipment
- AS/NZS 61439.1 Low Voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies. General rules
- AS/NZS 61439.2 Low Voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies. Power switchgear and control gear assemblies.
- AS/NZS 3439:1 Low Voltage switch gear and control gear, Part 1: Type tested and partially type tested assemblies.
- Equipment:
- Blue or black pens (no pencils)
- Highlighters (optional)
- Silent non-programmable calculator
Please note that candidates should be suitably attired; no thongs or singlets are permitted.
FES does not currently offer training to assist with preparation for the SW assessment.
To obtain information about providers who offer training for SW assessments, please visit Energy Safe website.
To obtain an SW licence in Victoria, candidates must apply directly to Energy Safe.
For more information regarding electrical licensing, visit the Energy Safe website.