Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Electrical Distribution - Power Systems Supervisor
This qualification covers selecting, installing, setting up, testing, fault finding, repairing and maintaining electrical systems and equipment in buildings and premises. It also provides a career in installation and maintenance of substations, such as the maintenance of high voltage (HV) power system, including circuit breakers and transformers. It includes substation switching, inspection and diagnosing and rectifying faults. Options are available for skills to be obtained in high current direct current (d.c.) switchgear and equipment, installation of HV plant and equipment and/or the maintenance and commissioning of discrete protection and control systems.
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Casual NOT PERMITTED in Queensland
- School-based
The lodgment of a second training contract where one of the training contracts is full-time will be reviewed by the Department to determine if each of the parties to each training contract can meet their obligations. There must be a clear separation between the training and employment requirements for each training contract and must not be replicated through the one occupation only.
Minimum of 15 hours per week over each 4 week period throughout duration of apprenticeship/traineeship.
NO school-based arrangements are available.
- a current Electrician licence or its equivalent issued in an Australian state or territory
or
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician qualification or the equivalent issued in an Australian state or territory (see note below)
Note: UET40522 Certificate IV in ESI - Substations can be undertaken in conjunction with the entry requirement qualification listed above as long as the following conditions are met:
- must be permitted within jurisdictional training and regulatory requirements;
- at least one third of the total units of competency required for completion of the entry requirement qualification must be met prior to commencing the Certificate IV in ESI - Substations; and,
- the Certificate III entry requirement qualification must be successfully completed prior to issuing the Certificate IV in ESI - Substations.
Trainees should have completed Year 10 with passes in English and Maths as a minimum to enter this traineeship.
As a general rule, only Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens who have entered Australia on a valid passport have unrestricted rights to employment in Australia.
Visa holders may engage in apprenticeships or traineeships provided their work rights allows this, based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government.
Please refer to the Declaration policy, table 15 for the requirements on supervision.
Modified supervision arrangements available: NO
Employers are required to provide, or arrange to provide the facilities, range of work, supervision and training as detailed in the training plan.
Qualified person for traineeships
1. A person who has satisfactorily completed a traineeship in the trainee's calling, and is the holder of a completion certificate issued under an Act, or
2. A person who holds a certificate of recognition issued under an Act, certifying the person has the necessary skills and knowledge in the calling, or
3. A tradesperson in the trainee's calling, as defined under a specific industrial instrument, or
4. A person who holds a relevant qualification in the traineeship calling, or
5. A person individually, or persons collectively, who has/have documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) or demonstrated competence in all the competencies the employer is required to provide training for under the trainee's training plan (note - cannot be a person or persons currently undertaking the same traineeship), or
6. A person undertaking a traineeship, at a higher level than the trainee's, whose traineeship incorporates supervisory or coordinating skills and who has documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) in at least one of the competencies the employer is required to provide to the trainee under the training plan and who is supervised by a person who qualifies under (1), and/or (4) and/or (5).
And, where a worker is required to have a licence to practice the calling/occupation, the qualified person holds a current workers licence.
Adequate supervision of apprentices and trainees cannot solely be provided from an offsite location by electronic means. Electronic means include, but are not limited to, telephones, radios and webcams.
The level of supervision will normally range between direct, general and broad as per the below guidelines:
- Direct - Close monitoring of work ensuring understanding and identifying potential risks and/or hazards
- General - Occasional monitoring to ensure progress is occurring
- Broad - Quality checking of completed tasks.
Licensing requirements - Those entering this qualification must hold a current unrestricted electrical licence issued in Australia.
Declaration Policy
This Policy outlines the regulatory requirements for parties involved in the training to ensure that the apprentice or trainee receives quality training as agreed under the training plan.
Norfolk Island Policy
Specific amendments to the Declaration Policy for apprenticeships and Traineeships on Norfolk Island.
School-based Policy
This policy sets out the requirements specific to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) in Queensland and on Norfolk Island.
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Restricted callings
Restrictions apply to the rights of employers to appoint staff under the age of 18 to certain jobs, or "callings".
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Industrial relations
Industrial relations protect apprentices' rights, ensure fair wages, resolve disputes, and promote safe, supportive workplaces.
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User Choice in Qld
The User Choice program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Last Updated: May 2026