A MAN who posed as a qualified electrician to get work in homes around south-east Queensland, including at Thornlands, has been fined $100,000 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Amilcar Appel posed as a qualified electrician on the online marketplace Airtasker and advertised electrical services to households in the greater Brisbane area between November 2015 and June 2017.
However, he had never held an electrical contractor licence or any qualifications to perform electrical work.
The Electrical Safety Office received a complaint about Appel's work after a licensed electrician found substantially defective work in a home which Appel had been paid to complete through Airtasker.
An ESO investigation established that Appel had conducted similar unlicensed and non-compliant electrical work at a further eight addresses through Airtasker.
Investigations found Mr Appel had performed work at Thornlands, Manly West, Greenslopes, Camp Hill, West End and Narangba.
Appel, who failed to make an appearance in court, was convicted and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine for thirteen offences under the Electrical Safety Act 2002.
These included four offences related to performing dangerous electrical work which exposed individuals to a risk of death or serious injury.
The remainder related to conducting a business and performing electrical work without an electrical contractor licence.
Magistrate Belinder Merrin said while no one was killed or injured, the potential consequences were significant.
She also noted Appel had not cooperated with the investigation and there was no indication he felt remorse for his actions.
Head of Queensland's Electrical Safety Office Victoria Thomson said the sentencing served as an important reminder to everyone to check their electrical contractor is licensed.
"Faulty wiring or unlicensed electrical work can cost you thousands of dollars to fix up and in some cases, void your home insurance," she said.
"Worse still, it can put you and your family in serious danger of electric shock or house fire.
"Homeowners can quickly and easily check their electrician has the right credentials by searching our electrical licences register.'
The electrical licences register and information on penalties under Queensland's electrical safety laws is at electricalsafety.qld.gov.au.
