April 4, 2019
A man who posed as a qualified electrician to get work in homes around south-east Queensland 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 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 (ESO) 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.
An ESO investigation established that Appel had conducted similar unlicensed and non-compliant electrical work at a further eight addresses.
Appel, who failed to appear in court, was convicted and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine for 13 offences including performing dangerous electrical work which exposed individuals to a risk of death or serious injury.
Magistrate Belinda Merrin noted that, while no one was killed or injured, the potential consequences were significant.
She also noted Appel had not co-operated with the investigation and there was no indication he felt remorse for his actions.
ESO advised consumers on Thursday to always check their electrical contractor was via ESO’s public licence register.
Anyone who suspects electrical work has been conducted by an unlicensed individual should report it to ESO on 1300-362-128.
