What real estate professionals need to know about the new electrical safety requirements for domestic roof spaces

New electrical safety regulations came into place in January 2025 for anyone working in or entering domestic roof spaces in Queensland. These updates to the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 mandate that power must be switched off before entry or work occurs, significantly reducing electrical risk and ensuring a safer environment for workers.

Who needs to comply?

Anyone entering a domestic roof space to conduct any type of work including but not limited to:

• electrical work (including air-conditioning installation)
• plumbing
• pest control
• insulation installation
• gas fitting
• roof and ceiling repairs.

Note these requirements apply when any part of the worker enters the roof space for any purpose, including to quote or inspect.

The regulations cover residential buildings such as houses, townhouses, row houses, boarding houses, guest houses, and some hostels, as well as apartment buildings and non-habitable structures like sheds, carports, and private garages.

Key safety requirements

Before accessing a domestic roof space, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers must ensure the electrical installation is de-energised by switching off power at the main switchboard. This step is crucial to preventing accidental contact with live wires, which can lead to serious injury or even fatal electrocution.

Entry into a domestic roof space is strictly prohibited unless the power is turned off, except in limited prescribed circumstances where additional safety measures must be followed.

Exceptions and additional safety measures

The legislation provides for limited circumstances in which work, or entry may occur in an energised roof space. Where work occurs under these circumstances, strict additional safety protocols must be implemented including:

• conducting, documenting, and recording a risk assessment
• preparing a statement for the work which must
• identify the work or entry.
• specify the hazards associated with the work or entry.
• specify the risks associated with the hazards.
• describe the measures to be implemented to control the risks.
• describe how the measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed.

What this means for real estate professionals

As a real estate professional, it is likely that you regularly engage with tradespeople performing inspections, repairs, and maintenance on properties. Understanding these new safety requirements is essential for ensuring compliance and maintaining safe work environments.

Before scheduling any roof-related work, consider the following steps:

• Confirm with tradespeople that they must switch off power before entering the roof space.
• Communicate with property owners and tenants to ensure they are aware of these new legal obligations.

By staying informed, you can better support property owners, safeguard workers and uphold your professional responsibilities under Queensland’s workplace health and safety laws.

For further details on these regulatory changes and how they impact the real estate industry, visit WorkSafe Queensland.