Lineworker’s Licence (LW)

On 1 January 2021 Energy Safe Victoria introduced a new licensing regime for Lineworkers (including cable jointers). This licensing regime will improve safety outcomes for lineworkers by providing greater oversight, accountability and regulation of the industry.

To apply

Applicants must produce evidence demonstrating they have the qualifications, experience, competency and proficiency for the relevant class of licence required. To apply for a licence, create a user profile in ESVConnect and lodge your application from there.

Distribution – D

This class of electrical linework refers to:

1. Electrical linework carried out on a MEC distribution supply network limited to—

(a) the installation, maintenance, modification, stringing, tensioning, terminating, securing, connection and disconnection of overhead electrical conductors; and

(b) the installation, maintenance, modification, securing, connection and disconnection of associated electrical distribution equipment; and

(c) the connection and disconnection of pole mounted or ground type transformers with an MEC distribution supply network;

2. Electrical linework limited to the jointing, terminating and connecting of underground service cables to other parts of an underground MEC distribution supply network ordinarily operated at a voltage exceeding extra low voltage but not exceeding low voltage; and
3. Electrical linework limited to connecting and disconnecting underground electric cables with any above ground parts of an MEC distribution supply network.

Your LW (D) application must include:

• Evidence of completion of a 4 year contract of training as a lineworker that included at least 12 months experience in carrying out class D electrical linework
• Certificate III in ESI-Power Systems-Distribution Overhead

Transmission – T

This class of electrical linework refers to:

Electrical linework carried out on a MEC transmission supply network limited to—

(a) the installation, maintenance, modification, stringing, tensioning, terminating, securing, connection and disconnection of overhead electrical conductors; and

(b) the installation, maintenance, modification, securing, connection and disconnection of associated electrical transmission equipment.

Your LW (T) application must include:

• Evidence of completion of a 4 year contract of training as a lineworker that included at least 12 months experience in carrying out class T electrical linework.
• Certificate III in ESI-Power Systems-Transmission Overhead

Rail Traction – R

This class of electrical linework refers to:

Electrical linework carried out on a traction supply network limited to—

(a) the installation, maintenance, modification, stringing, tensioning, terminating, securing, connection and disconnection of overhead electrical conductors, catenary wires and conductor support wires; and

(b) the installation, maintenance, modification, securing, connection and disconnection of associated electrical traction equipment.

Your LW (R) application must include:

• Evidence of completion of a 4 year contract of training as a lineworker that included at least 12 months experience in carrying out class R electrical linework
• Certificate III in ESI-Power Systems-Rail Traction

Cable Jointing – C

This class of electrical linework refers to:

1. Electrical linework carried out on a MEC distribution supply network limited to the jointing, transition jointing, connecting or terminating of underground electric cables; and
2. Electrical linework carried out on a MEC distribution supply network limited to the connecting of underground electric cables to the de-energised load side terminals of low voltage pole mounted switchgear; and
3. Electrical linework carried out on a MEC distribution supply network limited to the jointing and terminating of high voltage aerial bundled cables.

Your LW (C) application must include:

• Evidence of completion of a 4 year contract of training as a lineworker that included at least 12 months experience in carrying out class C electrical linework
• Certificate III in ESI-Power Systems-Distribution Cable Jointing

Supervised Class R Electrical Lineworker’s Licence- R(S)

Background

There have been overhead trade assistants (OTAs) working in the railway and tramway operations for many years under the supervision of fully qualified traction lineworkers. The work undertaken by the OTAs includes some tasks that now require a lineworker licence (post 1 January 2021).

However, OTAs do not generally hold the qualifications and experience required to obtain an unrestricted class “R” licence.

In order for existing OTAs to continue doing the full range of licensed tasks post  1 January 2021, a supervised class R licence (an R(S) licence) was issued to these workers which will permit them to carry out prescribed electrical linework under the effective supervision of a fully licensed class R traction line worker.

New supervised class R(S) licences will typically not be issued after 1 January 2021.

Workers that are initially issued an R(S) licence on 1 January 2021, will be able to continue to renew the licence, providing they renew the licence before expiry and are still employed by a railway company or a railway infrastructure company at the time of renewal. This will allow OTAs that become holders of the R(S) licence to remain licensed for the duration of their Supervised Class R Electrical Linework career. Other workers licensed after the 1 January 2021 transition will become licensed to hold the Rail Traction (R) class licence on the completion of their training, which may be renewed, in same way that other electrical licences are.

More information on the Supervised Class R Electrical Lineworker’s Licence policy can be found here: https://esv.vic.gov.au/pdfs/policy-supervised-class-r-electrical-linework/

Restricted Class C Lineworker’s Licence – C(R)

Background

There are a limited number of class “D” Lineworkers who also have the experience and training to undertake limited cable jointing work but are not fully qualified cable jointers.

These workers typically work in the Powercor electricity distribution network in regional and rural areas.

In order for these Class ‘D’ lineworkers to continue to carry out limited cable jointing work post  1 January 2021, a restricted Class C licence (a C(R) licence) was issued to these workers. Holders of this restricted licence must only work in the geographical area identified on their licence.

New C(R) licences will not be issued after 1 January 2021.

The current holders of the C(R) licence will be able to retain this licence for a maximum period of ten years, consistent with the duration of the Electricity Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2020.

This permits one renewal of the licence and allows for confirmation by ESV that the licence holder is still working in the geographical area identified on the licence.

ESV intends to discontinue this licence class after the ten years with the recognition that the lineworkers hold another licence class, and will have time to qualify for a full cable jointing licence over the life of these Regulations if they wish to do so.

More information on the Restricted Class C Lineworker’s Licence policy can be found here: https://esv.vic.gov.au/pdfs/policy-restricted-class-c-electrical-linework/

Fees

Refer to ESV’s Licensing fees for each licence type.

The application fee includes a $70 non-refundable administration component.

Application fees must be paid at the time a licence application is submitted. Credit card payments are required.

Licence Renewal & Licence Card Replacement

Renewing your Lineworker’s Licence

ESV will send an email reminder to you 3 months prior to your licence expiry.

It is your responsibility to ensure your licence is current and that ESV has the correct contact details for you.

Energy Safe Victoria must cancel the licence of an electrical worker who does not apply for renewal of the licence by the renewal date specified on the licence card.

Read more about renewing or replacing a licence.

You can renew your licence via ESVConnect with a Credit card.

Contact our Licensing team

You can contact our licensing team in the following ways:

• Contact form
• Email: licensing@energysafe.vic.gov.au
• Call our team directly on 1800 815 721 between the following hours: