Former electrical contractor Per Melbourne Pty Ltd, trading as Richtek Perth, has received a $50,000 fine after being convicted of 15 offences under WA’s electricity licensing regulations.

The company, now in voluntary liquidation, faced Perth Magistrates Court on February 21 and was convicted of 15 offences relating to “very poor examples of compliance” which prevented safety inspections of electrical work.

The court was told the offences arose from 64 occasions in which the company failed to lodge notices of completion with the network operator within three days of completing electrical work.

Two-thirds of the lodgements took 100 days or more, with one being submitted after 302 days.

Magistrate Michelle Harries ordered the company pay a $50,000 penalty plus costs of $494.24.

She said the delayed notices, given the inherent seriousness of electrical matters due to the risks involved, denied inspectors the opportunity to check the work at the relevant time and the overall conduct was “a very poor example of compliance.” 

In a statement, Energy Safe WA director Saj Adboolakhan said the fine should send a clear message about electrical contractors’ responsibilities.

“Electrical faults can put people at risk of serious injury or death,” he said.

“Notices of completion must be submitted within three days to trigger the inspection process and mitigate the hazards of dangerous defects remaining undetected for extended periods.

“This company lodged the notices far too late and only after Building and Energy intervened. This conduct is unacceptable and shows a blatant disregard for public safety and the statutory obligations of electrical contractors.”