The Werribee Magistrates Court has convicted and fined an unlicensed and unregistered worker who installed air conditioners across Melbourne, including in Berwick and Clyde North.
Keenan Blair Grobler received a conviction and a $10,000 in the Werribee Magistrates Court on Monday 8 May after being found guilty of 10 charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and nine charges under the Building Act 1993.
Mr Grobler, who now lives in Scarborough, Western Australia, carried out works in Wyndham Vale, Berwick, Cobblebank, Tarneit and Clyde North between June and November 2020.
During that six-month period, he advertised his services on Facebook Marketplace, before installing nine split system air conditioners across five properties and two light fittings at one property.
Prompted by complaints made to Energy Safe Victoria between June 2020 and January 2021, an Energy Safe Victoria investigation found the works did not comply with the relevant safety standards and posed a safety risk to the properties, one of which was a family daycare facility.
Energy Safe Victoria chief executive Leanne Hughson said everyone seeking electrical and plumbing works should always ensure people carrying out the works carried the appropriate licences and registrations before starting work.
“We advise everyone to check that the people working on their property are qualified and accredited to carry out the work, before the work starts,” she said.
“Please also be wary when searching for electricians and plumbers on websites like Facebook Marketplace as it is common for unlicensed and unregistered tradespeople to promote themselves on these platforms.
“Energy Safe will always work to ensure people are caught and convicted when breaching these very important requirements.”
For tips on how to find registered contractors, visit www.esv.vic.gov.au/community-safety/working-tradespeople/electrical-workers.
