Licensed Electrical Assessment (LEA)

Getting an Electrician's license in Victoria

To gain an Electrician's License in Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), the independent electrical safety and technical regulator in Victoria, has indicated that an apprentice electrician must:

• complete a 4 year contract of training as an apprentice electrician that includes at least 12 months experience in carrying out electrical installation work
• hold a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician, provided final assessments within this qualification have been conducted under the auspices of ESV.

If the RTO awarding the qualification has not conducted final assessments under the auspices of ESV, then apprentices will also need to successfully complete the Licensed Electrician Assessment (LEA), formerly known as the LEM, in accordance with the Electricity Safety Act and the Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 1999.

Currently, to meet the requirements of ESV and the Electrotechnology Training Package, all RTOs have made arrangements with the ESV for their apprentices to undertake the LEA in the final year of their apprenticeship as part of the process and requirements of gaining the qualification rather than undertaking final assessments conducted by the RTO. The LEA is conducted by EPIC ITB.

By adopting this approach there is no need for any apprentice to undertake any additional assessment after the awarding of the Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Systems Electrician for the purpose of gaining an electrical license.

The LEA is a combination of three separate assessments, sat at three different times:

• Safe Working Practice for Electricians Assessment (SWP) - 40 minutes
  SWP tests your ability to safely disconnect then reconnect a piece of electrical equipment.
• Licensed Electrician Theory Assessment (LET) - 2 hours
  The theory tests a broad range of knowledge (see LET Sample Exam below).
• Licensed Electrician Practical Assessment (LEP) - 3 hours
  The LEP is a practical test in four parts: wiring a meter box and switchboard, MEN system testing, identifying visual defects and testing an installation.

You must pass all three LEA assessments within three years of your first sitting. All assessments have a minimum pass mark of 75%.

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LEA Requirements

To be eligible to sit the individual components of the LEA, the following prerequisites are required:

• Signed Authorisation form from a Registered Training Organisation; or
• Electrician’s Supervised (ES Class) license; or
• L license from candidates who have held an ES Class license previously; or
• Electrician’s (E Class) license. This is required for REC Technical Assessment; or
• Trades Recognition Certificate (for an Electrician) issued by Trades Recognition Australia or
• Letter from ESV indicating eligibility to sit for the licensing assessment.
• Although not compulsory, most LEA candidates enroll in courses which prepare them specifically for the LEA assessments. Enquire at any training college which conducts electrical apprenticeship training to find out the fees, dates and length of their courses. EPIC does not run any courses.

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LEA Practical Assessment Requirements

The LEP and SWP assessments are practical examinations. These assessments are to be regarded as 'real life' situations and as such all candidates must dress appropriately. Appropriate clothing and work boots must be worn. The assessor has the authority to deny any candidate entry to the examination if they are incorrectly attired.

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Assessment Dates

Upcoming dates for the individual LEA assessments are updated, regularly, on the EPIC ITB website.

Please be aware that places fill quickly!

Apply to the LEA Administration via leabookings@epicitb.com, mail or in person to secure a place.

Bookings can be taken over the phone only if an exam has been sat before and payment is to be made by credit card. Appropriate documentation needs to be sited before this can be done.

Enquiries about available dates may be made on (03) 9654 1299 or through licensing@epicitb.com.

EPIC ITB also conducts LEA Assessments in regional Victoria at various times during the year.

Upcoming assessment dates for the LEA mobile caravan are listed below. Please book through the TAFE for regional assessments.

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Paper Reviews

Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing an assessment are able to receive a paper based review via mail. They can also request a further face-to-face review. To book please phone (03) 9654 1299 or email LEA Administration at licensing@epicitb.com.

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LEA Fees

Fees for the Licensed Electrician Assessment (LEA) are as follows:

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Candidate's behaviour during an assessment

Please note that all EPIC ITB assessments are conducted under strict examination conditions.

The EPIC ITB Licensed Electricians Assessment is approved by ESV and we, including ESV, appreciate that all candidates realize the importance of the assessment and the consequences of not adhering to the examination procedures.

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Special Consideration

Effective from 12 June 2009, EPIC Training Board and Energy Safe Victoria have agreed to the attached policy in relation to Special Consideration for the Licensed Electrician’s Assessment.

As of 12 June 2009, we have agreed that the following procedure must be undertaken prior to authorisation for Special Consideration of 30 minutes to be granted as additional time for the Licensed Electrician’s Assessment (Theory) (LET) component to be completed.

1. You must have attempted the LET at least once and failed
2. Your failure result must be at least 50% or more
3. As the Applicant you must speak with your TAFE Teachers about the difficulty you are/will experience
4. As the Applicant it is recommended that you undertake the Tutorial Course for the LEA
5. As the Applicant you need to request a Paper Review of the latest exam if you have attempted the LEA previously
6. Applicants must demonstrate a one-to-one interview with an assessor to review the latest exams

In relation to Medical Grounds and other special arrangements the attached agreement confirms that assistance such as scribes, interpreters, one to one assessments may incur additional costs, and are to be arranged by the applicant directly at their own expense, in conjunction with your school services.

Accordingly, please refer to the detailed Special Consideration Agreement between ESV and EPIC ITB.

LEA Downloads

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