Stage 2 assessment guide

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT CANDIDATE GUIDE

ELECTRICIAN
What process?

Published by VETASSESS, 2019

Copyright © 2019 VETASSESS

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise.
Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

1 What is a Stage 2 assessment?

Your Stage 2 assessment is an important part of the assessment process.
The Stage 2 assessment takes 7-8 hours and involves you completing:
 A Practical Assessment: series of practical work-based tasks that demonstrate your
skills as an Electrician
 A Technical Interview: an interview and/or written assessment designed to find out the
depth of your trade knowledge and how you apply that knowledge.
Your assessment will be conducted in English and no interpreter is allowed.
The practical tasks and interview questions asked by the assessor are based on the units
listed on the Fact Sheet for your trade. These units describe the skills and knowledge
expected in your trade by industry in Australia.

Download the Electrician Fact Sheet here: https://www.vetassess.com.au/skills-assessment-

for-migration/trade-occupations/guides-and-factsheets

2 Who will assess me?

You will be assessed by an assessor who is:
 A qualified electrician: Your assessor has the qualification you are applying for, as well
as many years of experience working in Australia as an electrician.
 A qualified assessor: Your assessor also holds a qualification as an assessor. They have
experience questioning and listening to candidates from all types of backgrounds.

3 Where will my assessment be held?

Your assessment will be held at a VETASSESS approved venue. Approved venues are located
in certain countries around the world.
When you apply and pay for your Stage 2 assessment, we will schedule it to occur at the
approved venue closest to your location. If you wish to change this location to a different
approved venue, please send a request via email to: tradeassess@vetassess.com.au
When payment for your Stage 2 assessment is confirmed, we will email you your Admission
Voucher. Your voucher will contain the venue address, date and time.

Skills Recognition International Page 3 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

4 What do the assessment tasks involve?

An overview of the types of activities you may be asked to perform during your assessment is
provided below. Please note that this is SAMPLE ONLY. This is not a complete list and may
change from time to time. Your assessor will provide you with details of the assessment
activities on the day of your assessment.

 From a given specification design, carry out and complete a functioning light and
power installation within a specified time frame using safe working techniques
including:
 Complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
 Switchboard design and protection
 After completing the installation wiring task, you will be required to carry out
the compliance tests and record results to verify compliance or non-
compliance using a variety of test equipment. If this test is not carried out as
required, you will need to be reassessed for compliance testing at another time
and date.
 Know the maximum allowable value of the Earthing System Resistance by your
local standards or codes.
(For example, Australian Standards states the maximum allowable value of the Main
Earth is 2 ohm)
 Know the minimum allowable value of Insulation Resistance of the Wiring by
your local standards or codes.
(For example, Australia Standards states the minimum allowable value is 1 Meg-
ohm)

 From circuit components symbols design, connect and fault find a Direct on Line (DOL)
starter and three phase motor circuit including:
 Stop/start station, thermal overload, star-delta configuration, overload setting
 As you complete the activities, your assessor may ask you questions.

 Perform a disconnect/reconnect of electrical equipment using safe working procedures

in a logical manner and test the disconnected equipment before reconnection. Please
refer to Appendix C ‘Safe isolation procedure for tagout/lockout’ for detailed
information about the steps you should follow during this task.

 Give written and verbal answers to questions on a variety of topics including, but not
limited to:
 Electrical units and symbols
 Ohm’s Law calculations
 Single and three phase motors
 Impedance, inductive reactance, capacitive reactance calculations
 Power factor
 RMS values
 Magnetism, electromagnetism and transformer
 Calculating current, wattage, resistance and voltage in an ELV and LV single and
three phases

Skills Recognition International Page 4 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

 Electric circuit
 Lighting
 Batteries
 Fire and Smoke detectors.

5 What do I need to bring?

You must bring the following to your assessment:
 Your current passport
 Your Admission Voucher: Receiving the Admission Voucher can take up to 3 weeks
from the time of your payment. If you are concerned you have not received your
Admission Voucher email us at: www.tradeassess@vetassess.com.au
 Practical Experience and Elective Summary (PEES): You must download the PEES
document from https://www.vetassess.com.au/skills-assessment-for-migration/trade-
occupations/guides-and-factsheets and complete it prior to your assessment. This
document must show your employment experience over the last 5 years and the
variety of work that you have undertaken in that time. You can do this by providing
additional supporting material that you have not submitted previously.
 Personal protective equipment (PPE): Please refer to Appendix A ‘Safe working
practice’ for more information about the PPE you should bring
 Pen and calculator
You are also encouraged to bring your own hand tools to the assessment. If you are unable to
bring your own tools, VETASSESS will ensure tools are made available, but you may have to
share these with other candidates. Please refer to Appendix B ‘Recommended hand tools’
for more information about the tools you should bring

All other equipment and materials necessary to complete the assessment tasks will be
provided.
Please note:

 You must not bring any reference materials such as written notes, text
books or manuals.
 You will not be allowed to use a mobile phone or other electronic devices
during the assessment.

Skills Recognition International Page 5 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

6 What will happen on the day of my assessment?

This is what will happen on the day of your assessment.

Arrival 10 mins

You will arrive at the time and location stated on your Admission Voucher. You will present
your voucher and passport to the venue supervisor for checking. You will give your completed
PEES document to the assessor.

Introduction 30 mins

Your assessor will explain the tasks you are required to complete and will provide you with the
Assessment Workbook for your occupation.

Approx. 7 hrs
Practical tasks
(includes lunch break)

You will complete a number of practical tasks as directed by your assessor (refer to Section 4
for examples of tasks that you will be asked to complete).
Some tasks may need to be completed in a certain time period.
You will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all Workplace Health
and Safety (WHS) requirements.
Note: If WHS requirements are not followed your assessor will stop your assessment.

Technical interview Throughout day

Your assessor will ask you questions to gather evidence of your knowledge.
You may also be required to read questions and provide written answers to provide evidence.

Finish 10 mins

You will clean up your work area and submit your Assessment Workbook.
Note: Your assessor will not be able to tell you your result.

Skills Recognition International Page 6 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

7 What are the rules of the assessment?

To avoid cancellation of your assessment, you must follow these rules:
 Arrive on time - your assessment will be cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes
late.
 Follow your assessor’s instructions.
 Follow workplace health and safety precautions.
 Do not bring any reference materials including written notes, text books, manuals or
devices with access to the internet.
 Do not bring any electronic communication or recording devices including mobile
phones, laptops, tablets or MP3 players.
 Do not ask other candidates for assistance or interrupt them.

The venue supervisor or assessor may also cancel your assessment if you:
 cannot prove your identity
 cannot understand and/or answer questions in English
 become extremely distressed or disturbed
 appear ill or physically unwell
 become angry or violent
 arrive at the assessment venue in an abnormal state, such as being intoxicated or
drugged.

Skills Recognition International Page 7 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

8 How can I prepare for my assessment?

Use the following checklist to help you prepare for your assessment.

Action Completed

Download and read the Fact Sheet for your occupation:

http://www.vetassess.com.au/skills-assessment-for-migration/trade-
occupations/guides-and-factsheets

View each unit in your qualification using the following website:

https://training.gov.au/Search/Training
This will help you to understand the knowledge and skill requirements for each
unit.

Read the sample practical tasks stated in Section 4.

Think about how you would complete these sample tasks by asking yourself:
 what are the steps I would follow?
 what tools and equipment I would use?
 what safety precautions I would I observe?

Think about the required knowledge for each unit and if you could answer
questions about this knowledge.

If you think there are areas/units where you are not very knowledgeable or
skilled, take action to improve. This could include:
 searching for information online
 reading information in books
 asking questions of experts
 completing a training course
 asking others to show you how to perform a task
 practising performing practical tasks.

Skills Recognition International Page 8 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

9 What if I have a special need?

Candidates with special needs can request reasonable adjustments to the assessment
process.
Reasonable adjustment refers to actions taken to provide a candidate with a special need or
disability the same opportunities as every other candidate, while maintaining the integrity of
the assessment outcome.
If you wish to request a reasonable adjustment, please contact and discuss your individual
situation with VETASSESS.
Please note:

 All assessments must be conducted in English. No translator is allowed to

attend an assessment.
 Reasonable adjustment does not mean that all candidates’ requests are
granted.

10 How will I get my results?

Your assessor cannot provide you with your result at the end of the Stage 2 assessment. This
assessment only forms part of the assessment process.
Your assessment results will be available online. Your results will also be sent to the address
that you nominated on your application form.
You will receive the following depending on your result:

Successful candidates
If you successfully complete your assessment, you will receive:
 a migration outcome letter if the assessment is to support your visa
application
 an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) that lists the units of competency in
which you are assessed as having the required technical skills. This entitles you
to gain provisional licensing in your trade in Australia. It is not a formal
qualification and you will be required to undertake further training specific to
the Australian context once you arrive in Australia.

Unsuccessful candidates
If you are unsuccessful, you will receive:
 an unsuccessful outcome letter detailing the areas where you were not able to
demonstrate your competency.

Skills Recognition International Page 9 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

11 What can I do if I receive an unsuccessful result?

If you receive an unsuccessful result you can choose to be re-assessed. If you choose this
option, you will only be re-assessed on units listed as NYC (not yet competent).
Before applying for re-assessment, you are advised to undertake training and/or gain more
experience performing the skills required in the units listed as NYC.
For information on the re-assessment process please visit our website.

12 What can I do if I disagree with the result?

If you disagree with your assessment outcome you can request a Review. For more
information about Reviews, please visit our website.

13 What can I do if I have a complaint?

If you are dissatisfied with your assessment process, please contact VETASSESS to register
your complaint. You can email your complaint to tradeassess@vetassess.com.au or ring +61 3
9655 4801.

14 How can I get more information?

If you require more information or would like to clarify information contained in this guide
please contact us on:

Phone: +61 3 9655 4801

Fax: +61 3 9655 4899

Email: tradeassess@vetassess.com.au

Web: www.vetassess.com.au

Skills Recognition International Page 10 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

Appendix A: Safe working practice

The purpose of this document is to provide basic procedures and guidance concerning proper
personal protective equipment and the process for working on electrical systems. Ultimately,
this Code of Practice attempts to reduce the number of accidents and losses associated with
the operation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment.
A Code of Practice is a document made under the Australian Electrical Safety Act 2002. It gives
practical advice on ways to discharge electrical safety obligations. Included in the Code are
ways to identify and manage exposure to risks of injury and property damage caused, directly
or indirectly, by electricity.
At a place where electrical equipment is located, the Act imposes an obligation on an electrical
worker:
 to comply with instructions for the electrical safety of persons and property at the
place given:
 to the extent the instructions are consistent with instructions given by the
person in control of the electrical equipment;
 to use personal protective equipment, if:
 the equipment is provided by the person in control of the electrical equipment
for electrical safety purposes; and
 the worker is properly instructed in the use of the equipment provided;
 not to wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for electrical
safety at the place; and
 not to wilfully place any person, including yourself, at the place in electrical risk.

Personal Protective Equipment

Any electrical worker who works in/around energized equipment and has the potential to
come into contact with "live" exposed parts must be provided and use Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE). The following are basic guidelines for the proper use of electrical PPE.
 PPE should be used whenever you could come into contact with exposed electrical
parts.
 Electrical Workers are required to wear electrically rated footwear at all times.
 PPE must be designed for the work being performed. You must make sure that
electrical gloves, insulated tools, etc. are rated for the voltage levels they will be used
around.
 Always inspect your electrical tools and PPE before each use to make sure they are in
good condition and will work properly. If you find that a tool has been damaged, or
that PPE has tears or holes, you need to replace the item before conducting the
assigned work.
 You must wear eye and face PPE, such as face shield and safety glasses, whenever
there is a possibility of electrical arcs or explosion.
 All test instruments and equipment (volt, ammeters, ohm meters) and associated
leads, cables, power cords, probes, and connectors must be visually inspected for
external defects and damage before the equipment is used.

Skills Recognition International Page 11 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

Appendix B: Recommended hand tools

Provided below is a list of the hand tools you are encouraged to bring to the practical
assessment. If you are unable to bring your own tools, VETASSESS will ensure tools are made
available, but you may have to share these with other candidates.
You may also choose to bring other tools which are not listed below.

HAND TOOLS OPTIONAL TOOLS METERS

Pliers Long nose pliers IR Tester and leads

Screwdrivers (Phillips Head and Approved multi-meter and leads

Battery operated drill
Flat Shank)

Side cutters Drill set EQUIPMENT

Wire strippers or knife Screwdriver bits Tag out / Lock out kit

Bending spring for 20mm PVC

Tape measure or ruler
conduit

Small spirit level

Hacksaw or PVC conduit cutters

Claw Hammer

Please note

The following types of voltage tester are not allowed to be used during your practical
assessment:

 Neon test pencil

 Non-contact voltage tester
 Touch voltage tester
 Voltage stick

Skills Recognition International Page 12 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

Appendix C: Safe isolation procedure for tagout/lockout

Reading and practising this safe isolation procedure will give you a better understanding of
what is required during your Practical Assessment.

The following table outlines the steps required to carry out the Safe Work Practice task on an
item of electrical equipment.

Each step has points allocated and, to satisfactorily complete the task, you must not lose
more than 25 points. You will satisfactorily complete the task if you achieve 75 or more points.
Some steps are critical and must be carried out in order to satisfactorily complete the task.

Testing the voltmeter/voltage tester for correct operation after use is CRITICAL. This must be
done when the voltmeter/voltage tester indicates a no voltage reading.

If you realise that you have missed a step or made an error while completing this task during
your Practical Assessment, please inform the assessor.

NOTE: The following types of voltage tester are not allowed to be used during your practical
assessment:

 Neon test pencil

 Non-contact voltage tester
 Touch voltage tester
 Voltage stick

WARNING: All electrical conductors and parts, including neutral and earthing
conductors, shall be treated as live until proven dead.

STEP POINTS / COMMENTS

DISCONNECTION/DE-ENERGISATION

Complete a JSA 5 points

Check if removal of protective devices will affect essential services. 1 point

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct operation

2 points
before use.

Ensure the frame of the equipment is not ‘LIVE’ by testing between Critical: If this step is not
frame/ chassis and the known earth/ground point. carried out, you will not
NOTE This test must be performed at least two (2) times whilst the satisfactorily complete
motor is stationery and when running. the task

Critical: If this step is not

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct carried out, you will not
operation after use. satisfactorily complete
the task

Skills Recognition International Page 13 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

STEP POINTS / COMMENTS

Carry out continuity test between the Known/Proven Earth and

15 points
equipment frame.

Record electrical ratings details of appliance (e.g. kW and voltage). 3 points

Note and record direction of rotation (DOR) of motor (if applicable) 3 points

Complete details on danger tags (e.g. Name, Signature, Date, Phone on

5 points
the front of the tag and details of the fault on the back of the tag).

Critical: If this step is not

The equipment must also be tested for LIVE by either testing between all
carried out, you will not
conductors including the protective earthing conductor or if a motor by
satisfactorily complete
starting it prior to isolating circuit conductors
the task

Affix danger tags to isolation points (e.g. appliance, isolating switch,

3 points
switchboard, etc.).

Determine location of appropriate protective device. 2 points

Critical: If this step is not

Do not leave exposed LIVE terminals/conductors at switchboard or carried out, you will not
equipment. satisfactorily complete
the task

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct operation

2 points
before use.

Before touching equipment conductors, test for LIVE:

 Test between—all conductors and known earth/ground
point. Critical: If these 2 steps
are not carried out, you
(This test also includes testing for LIVE between the protective
will not satisfactorily
earthing conductor and the known earth).
complete the task
AND
 Test between—all conductors at the equipment end.

Test Voltage Tester for correct operation on known LIVE/PROVEN source Critical: If this step is not
after using it. carried out, you will not
(Fail only occurs when previous test indicated terminals/conductors were de- satisfactorily complete
energised). the task

Note and record the details of the protective device. 1 point

Critical: If this step is not

Isolating the protective device by applying lock-dog, danger tag and lock
carried out, you will not
you
satisfactorily complete
(the key must be removed from the lock)
the task

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct operation

2 points
before use.

Critical: If this step is not

Before touching equipment conductors, test for LIVE:
carried out, you will not

Skills Recognition International Page 14 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

STEP POINTS / COMMENTS

 Test between—all conductors and the known earth/ground satisfactorily complete

point the task
AND
 Test between—all conductors at the equipment end.

Critical: If this step is not

Test Voltage Tester for correct operation on known LIVE/PROVEN source
carried out, you will not
after using it.
satisfactorily complete
the task

Note and record the terminal connection details of the equipment 1 point

Terminate conductors in approved manner and enclose in junction box.

2 points
Cable ends must be fully insulated.

Affix Danger Tag to terminated conductors enclosed in junction box. 3 points

Ensure terminated conductors are protected against mechanical

2 points
damage.

Clean-up work area and notify personnel. 1 point

TESTING THE EQUIPMENT FOR COMPLIANCE

Test Insulation Resistance and Continuity tester on both Meg Ohm and
3 points for each test
Ohm scales for correct operation.

Carry out the Earth Continuity test of the equipment.

Test– the resistance of the equipment frame to its earth facility.
Note: Ensure you know MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE of earthing
15 points
resistance of the equipment by your LOCAL STANDARDS
(For example, Australian Standards states the maximum allowable value for
equipment is 0.5 ohm)

Carry out the Insulation Resistance test of the equipment.

Test between each live conductor to its earth facility.
Note: A neutral conductor is deemed to be a live conductor.
Note: Ensure you know the MINIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE of insulation 15 points
resistance of the equipment by LOCAL STANDARDS.
(For example, Australia Standards states the minimum allowable value is 1
Meg-ohm)

RECONNECTION/RE-ENERGIZATION

Notify personnel of return to work site. 1 point

Ensure the appliance to be reconnected is of the same electrical ratings

2 points
details (e.g. kW, amperes, voltage, etc.).

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct operation

2 points
before use.

Skills Recognition International Page 15 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS

Stage 2 Assessment Candidate Guide (Electrician)

Before touching equipment conductors, test for LIVE:

 Test between - all conductors and known earth/ground.
Critical: If these 2 steps
(This test also includes testing for LIVE between the protective earthing
are not carried out, you
conductor and the known/Proven earth.)
will not satisfactorily
AND
complete the task
 Test between—all conductors at the equipment end.
(Ensure that bare conductors are not touched while testing.)

Critical: If this step is not

Test voltage tester at known LIVE/PROVEN source for correct carried out, you will not
operation after use. satisfactorily complete
the task

Reconnect final sub-circuit wiring to appliance terminals. 1 point

Carry out continuity test on final sub-circuit protective earthing

conductor from effective earth to frame of appliance.
(This test should be carried out after the circuit conductors have been 15 points
connected to the equipment’s terminals and before the power has been
restored).

Notify personnel of restoration of power. 2 points

Do not leave exposed LIVE terminals/conductors at switchboard or

3 points
appliance.

Remove lock, lock-dog and switch on circuit breaker or insert correct fuse
1 point
wedge to restore power.

Check appliance for correct operation (e.g. DOR [Direction of Rotation]) 3 points

Clean-up work area and notify personnel. 2 points

Skills Recognition International Page 16 of 16 V1/2019 © VETASSESS