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Looking to organise switchboard upgrades in Melbourne? If you own an older property, this is definitely a wise move. Old, overloaded, or faulty switchboards are a known cause of electrical issues in Victoria. Despite this, many properties are still running on systems that were never designed to handle the kind of demand typical in 2025.
This is where a licensed electrician comes in. By upgrading your switchboard and ensuring every circuit is fitted with modern protection devices, they can drastically reduce the risk of fire and make sure your property complies with current safety standards.
Keep reading to learn why you should always hire a licensed electrician for switchboard upgrades.
In Australia, the fuse box (often called the meter box) is the enclosure that contains your home’s main electrical components. Inside it, you’ll usually find:
The switchboard is essentially the control hub that directs electricity safely to different areas of your property. Modern switchboards are also fitted with safety switches that protect you from electric shock if a fault occurs, cutting power within milliseconds.
It’s important to note that your electricity meter is separate. The meter records energy usage and is accessible to your distributor for readings, but it does not control or protect your circuits. That’s the job of your switchboard.
If you need a trusted electrician in Altona, Caroline Springs, or Rockbank, our team at Day & Night is ready to help.
Every property that uses electricity relies on a switchboard. Put simply, the switchboard is the central hub that distributes power from the electricity supply to the different circuits in your home or business. Each circuit is connected through protective devices like circuit breakers and safety switches, components that act as safeguards against overloads, short circuits, or current leakage.
Without a fully functional switchboard, there would be nothing stopping a fault in one part of the house from spreading across the entire electrical system. Another issue is that old-style boards with ceramic fuses were never designed to handle the power-hungry appliances common in 2025.
A modern switchboard, on the other hand, can better organise and control the distribution of power. It will also have built-in layers of safety that reduce the risk of shock and fire. This is why keeping it up to date through professional upgrades and inspections is one of the most effective steps anyone can take.
Like any appliance or mechanical system, a switchboard can wear out, become unsafe, or no longer be able to meet demand. These are the reasons why switchboard upgrades have become so common across the state of Victoria.
Here are some signs that yours may need to be checked out by a licensed electrician:
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to call a licensed electrician. They can test the wiring, check for hidden faults, and confirm whether a repair or a full upgrade is needed.
A modern switchboard is fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches that work together to prevent faults from turning into serious hazards.
Circuit breakers protect wiring and appliances by cutting the power during overloads or short circuits, while safety switches (also known as RCDs) detect leakage of current and disconnect the supply in milliseconds.
If these devices are out of date, incorrectly installed, or nonexistent, it raises the likelihood of electrical faults going undetected. Unfortunately, that’s when wires overheat, insulation breaks down, or fire becomes a very real and present risk.
Replacing or upgrading a switchboard is not a job for a handy homeowner. In Victoria, it is illegal to carry out electrical work without a licence, and for good reason. The risks of electrocution, fire, or hidden faults are far too great. Even if the power appears to work afterwards, a DIY installation can leave you with non-compliant wiring that fails when it’s needed most.
A licensed electrician not only has the technical knowledge to install safety switches and breakers correctly, but they also test every circuit to confirm the system is safe. They’ll identify issues like nuisance tripping, poor earthing, or hidden cable damage that an untrained eye would miss.
With knowledgeable electricians in Clayton, Epping, and Sunshine, Day & Night is the go-to team for switchboard upgrades in Melbourne. We also offer smoke alarm checks, smart home installations, hot water systems, and much more!
Since the introduction of new rental minimum standards in March 2023, all rental properties in Victoria must have modern switchboards fitted with circuit breakers and safety switches on key circuits. This is part of the state’s rental minimum standards, and landlords are legally required to engage a licensed electrician to meet them.
Beyond the rental market, any time a switchboard is replaced or significantly modified, it must comply with the current version of the Australian Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000). Importantly, under the Electricity Safety Act 1998, major works like switchboard replacements are classed as “high-risk” and must be inspected by a licensed electrical inspector before the power can be switched back on.
This process ensures that homes are not just safe on the surface, but fully compliant with Victorian regulations.
In Victoria, only a licensed A-Grade Electrician is legally permitted to carry out electrical installation work, including switchboard upgrades. To obtain this licence, an electrician must complete a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, a four-year apprenticeship, at least 12 months of installation experience, and pass the Licensed Electrician’s Assessment, covering theory, practical skills, and safe working practices.
If the work is being done for profit or as part of a business, the electrician or company must also be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC). An REC must have a licensed technical supervisor, hold public liability insurance, and issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) for every job.
Certain high-risk work, including main switchboard replacements, must also be inspected by a Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI) before the system can be energised. This ensures that complex or safety-critical installations meet all regulatory standards before power is restored.
A licensed electrician has the qualifications, training, and hands-on experience required to complete electrical work safely. In Victoria, this means passing the Licensed Electrician’s Assessment, completing an apprenticeship, and being authorised by Energy Safe Victoria to carry out installation work.
Licensed electricians must also provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety after completing switchboard work, which gives you proof that the job meets industry standards and is legally compliant.
Unlicensed work is illegal in Victoria, and for good reason. Without the right training, there’s a much higher chance of wiring faults, the wrong components being installed, or circuits left unprotected.
The result is a property that’s unsafe, uninsured if something goes wrong, and potentially non-compliant with Victorian safety regulations.
At Day & Night, we offer a wide range of services for anyone needing a switchboard upgrade in Melbourne. From complete replacements to the installation of safety switches, or the addition of advanced features, our skilled electricians have you covered.
Every switchboard upgrade project begins with a detailed assessment of your existing electrical system. At this stage, our team will identify any potential hazards, evaluate your current and future electrical needs, then develop a custom plan that best aligns with circumstances.
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