How To Become A Cable Jointer In Australia: A Complete Guide

Are you comfortable working outdoors and at heights? If yes, then you may think of becoming a cable jointer.

Cable jointers create and repair joints in control cables and electric supplies installed in overhead systems, drains, and underground pipes. Furthermore, they prepare cable terminations for overhead lines and electrical equipment in industrial centres and housing estates.

To become a technical cable jointer in Australia, you must complete an apprenticeship in Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems (Distribution Cable Jointing). You must also register and obtain an electrician's license per state and legislative law and follow regulatory licensing requirements to work as a cable jointer in Australia legally.

This article will guide you on becoming a licensed cable jointer in Australia. You will learn about a cable jointer's skills, training, apprenticeships, work experience, salary, job prospects, and more.

1. Who Are Cable Jointers?

Cable Jointers install, repair, and upkeep underground conduits and insulated power supply wires to ensure efficient transmission and distribution of electricity in commercial and residential spaces in different cities.

They also prepare, place, connect and mend underground control and electric cables and organize cable terminations for linking to overhead lines and electrical equipment.

2. Duties Of A Cable Jointer In Australia

A cable jointer performs the following tasks in Australia:

• Installs and maintains underground and HV overhead electrical cable supplies, major infrastructure, substation builds, equipment, and infrastructure. 

• Excavate trenches, service pits, or tunnels

• Enclose conductors in protective covers

• Install and maintain equipment linked with electrical supply that includes transformers

• Work in a team to install, repair/replace cables and resolve electrical failures and emergencies.

• Ensure correct connection of wires between substations and worksite while installing and performing repair work

• Perform routine maintenance on the underground and aerial electricity supply network

• Prepare high and low-voltage cable terminations and cable joints while linking and installing overhead lines and electrical equipment.

• Use heavy plant equipment, including raised work platforms and moveable equipment like hydraulic drills.

• Install and maintain substation and revenue meter, and perform specialized testing

• Install and maintain underground power supply cables by pulling cables via underground channels and pipes and connecting them in line transmission and supply systems

• Examine cable integrity and identify faults. Undertake repair and upkeep work in case of any faults

• Update and maintain location guides and drawings for the arrangement of cable systems

• Maintain good relations with property owners, tenants, and authorities.

3. Required Skills In A Cable Jointer

Employers look for the following personal requirements when hiring a Cable Jointer:

• Enjoy practical work

• Able to work at heights

• Normal vision 

• Safety conscious 

• Strong work ethic

• Able to work in a team

• Good communication skills

• Can handle the physical demands of the job

• Good hand-eye coordination

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Able to work efficiently in challenging situations

• Good Collaboration skills

• Able to establish good relationships (particularly with property owners, authorities, and tenants)

4. Qualifications Needed To Become A Cable Jointer In Australia

Though eligibility requirements can vary from one employer to another, the requirements to become a cable jointer are as follows:

• Year 10

• Complete a cable jointer apprenticeship or related qualification

• A valid driver's license to travel from one work site to another.

5. What Tasks Don't Require An Electrical Jointer's License?

In many states in Australia, you need to have an electrical jointer's license to perform any electrical work for others. 

As per Section 55 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002, only a licensed electrical contractor can legally engage in electric works in commercial or residential areas in the country.

Based on the regulation, an unlicensed cable jointer can perform only limited tasks such as:

• Authorized testing of equipment that works on electricity

• Installation or repair of telecommunication cables

• Completing the job of an electrical engineer

• Learning electric work as a trainee or an apprentice

6. How To Become A Cable Jointer In Australia?

Here is how with a few simple steps, you can become a professional cable jointer in Australia:

• Obtain a Secondary School Certificate

• Enrol in and complete a traineeship or apprenticeship program in ESI-Power Systems-Distribution Cable Jointing, National Broadband Cabling Installation and Maintenance, or ESI - Network Systems.

• To legally work as a cabler in Australia, you must register with the respective state body of the place of employment. 

In NSW, you need accreditation to work as a cable jointer, while in the ACT, you may need an electrician's license. 

As per Section 43 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 Queensland, you must have an electrical jointer license to work on electrical cables, including performing specialist installing, terminating, and jointing HV electrical cables. 

Cable Jointers repairing overhead powerlines must equip themselves with safety access equipment before starting to work. 

Those who install equipment to telecommunications networks must have a valid cabling registration. These networks include intelligent home systems, closed-circuit television, and monitored security alarms.

To work as a network operator, you must meet employer qualification requirements but don't need an electrical license.

7. How To Obtain An Electrical License In Australia?

If you have completed your apprenticeship within the last three years, apply for a license by filling in and submitting Form 10. It is the Application for an electrical work license (apprentice) and the applicable application fee.

If it has been over three years, you must fill in a different license application form.

Support your work license form with the following documents:

• Identity proof

• Existing contact details

• Your student number, apprenticeship completion date, and the RTO name

• A copy of the CPR certificate that confirms you did the course within the last 12 months

• A copy of the pole-top or transmission tower rescue (PTR) certificate within the previous 12 months

Submit your complete license application via email or mail as per the given form submission instructions in the form.

Click here to learn more information about Electrical licensing eligibility requirements.

8. Cable Jointer Certificate Courses in Australia

Below are the relevant certifications to qualify as a technical cable jointer.

Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems (Distribution Cable Jointing) 

This is the ideal qualification to obtain the desired knowledge and skill to work as a Cable Jointer in the electricity supply industry.

During the traineeship, a cable jointer trainee can choose between energized and Low Voltage and High Voltage paper-insulated cables.

This course covers the following:

• The arrangement, installation, and upkeep of de-energized LV and HV underground polymeric cables

• The installation of electrical equipment and connecting energized LV underground polymeric and paper-insulated cables.

 The following Australian training institutes are offering this course:

• TAFE NSW

• Department of Employment, Small Business, And Training, Queensland

• Avetars

• Energy Skill Solutions

• Skills Tasmania

Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems (Distribution Overhead)

This cable jointer course helps build foundational skills for electricity network infrastructure. 

The course curriculum is a blend of practical and theory coursework that teaches a student to:

• Use electric and manual tools to fix and upkeep power network infrastructure

• Construct, assemble and dissemble utility components

• Run plant and tools close to "live" electric wires

• Solve problems related to electromagnetic devices and associated circuits

• Test and validate installations of distribution overhead

Certificate IV in ESI - Network Systems

This is another crucial qualification to launch in the electricity supply industry in transmission, rail, cable jointing, and distribution. 

The course equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work on network systems, including live line rail traction, live line distribution, live line transmission, and installation and upkeep of specialized underground cables.

Along with the above traineeship programs, aspiring cable jointers must check conditions applicable under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements before practising in the workplace.

9. Working Conditions For A Cable Jointer In Australia

Workplace

• A cable jointer job majorly involves outdoor work in overcrowded and confined areas or at heights. 

• They frequently work in sub-stations that transform high-voltage power supply to lower voltage power supply to make it usable for consumers.

Work Hours

• The job involves standard work hours of 38 to 40 hours in a week that could include shifts. 

• When working as a part of a reserve roster for crisis management, overtime may be essential.

Uniform And Accessories

• The use of safety access equipment is essential to repair overhead power transmission lines.

10. Employment And Job Outlook For Cable Jointers In Australia

Qualified and licensed cable jointers work in cities, country towns, suburbs, districts, and large industrial centres in Australia and worldwide.

Most of them work for electricity corporations or private subcontractors for underground distribution and servicing of power cables. They may be required to work at distant locations for a certain period.

Cable jointer vacancies are determined based on the available electrical cable and other conductor projects and maintenance. The population expansion and the growth of telecommunications and utility companies project a favourable job outlook for the ESI industry.

11. What Can I Earn As A Cable Jointer In Australia?

The Cable jointer salaries range between AUD 60k to AUD 90k.

Country-Wise

• The average cable jointer's salary in Australia is $78,625 per year.

• The average cable jointer's salary is $51,338, or an equivalent hourly rate of $25 in the United States. 

• The average salary for a cable jointer is £33,417 in the United Kingdom.

• The average hourly pay for technical cable jointers in New Zealand is $25.50 or $53,040 in a year based on a 40-hour week.

• The average cable jointer salary in Dubai is 4300 AED/month.

Gender

Where the average annual male cable jointer salary is $ 83,599, female employees earn $ 70,299 yearly.

12. What Does A Cable Joint Kit Contain?

Cable jointers use a toolkit to prepare medium-voltage power cables with XLPE insulation. They also use semiconductive screens to facilitate the installation of connectors.

This tool kit has a durable, foam-filled case that shields the cable jointing tools from damage and increases their shelf life. You can also buy individual tools, if needed, without purchasing the whole kit.

Contents of the cable jointer tool kit:

• P20 Peeling Tool: to remove the outer semiconductive screen of MV cables with a core insulation diameter between 10 to 50mm.

• M30: 2-in-1 cable insulation removal tool and cable sheath (20-70mm diameter cables). This tool's cutting blade has an adjustable cutting depth that can cut walls with thicknesses of up to 14mm.

• Chamfering Tool: to remove sharp edges of cable insulation to simplify installation of cold shrink joints or slip-on and accessories for XLPE insulated cables with 15 to 60mm diameters and operating on 11kV/33kV.

• Rheycut II Cable Peeling Tool: (size two stop rings included)

• Adjustable V-Plate Guide: to enable different stripping speeds and a circular screen cut for medium voltage (MV) electricity cables

• XLPE Insulation Cutting Tool and M30 Cable Jacket Tool: to remove the outer cable sheath and polymeric lining with a diameter between 20 and 70mm. It also provides circumferential cutting of 11kV or 33kV cables. Users can fix the blade's cutting depth for a flawless and smooth finish each time.

13. Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you better understand the qualifications and requirements needed to become a cable jointer in Australia.

With practice and experience, you will undoubtedly make a successful career in the electrical supply industry.

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