Greg Combet, Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, announced on the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) had been engaged to manage the roll out of the Government’s Foil Insulation Safety Program (FISP).

“Under the FISP, the 50,000 homes that had foil insulation installed under the Home Insulation Program will have the option of having the foil removed, or alternatively on the advice of a licensed electrician, having safety switches installed,” said Mr Combet. “The Government is committed to addressing safety issues resulting from the installation of foil insulation under the former Home Insulation Program and commencing the Foil Insulation Safety Program is an important step forward.”

All foil insulation inspection and rectification work booked from today will be delivered through the Foil Insulation Safety Program. Since 10 February households have been able to arrange a safety inspection by engaging an electrician of their choice, with the cost of this work reimbursed by the Government.

This interim arrangement will cease from today, however the Government will continue to pay for inspections already booked under this arrangement and carried out before 14 May.

Households who have urgent safety concerns should continue to contact the Safety Hotline on 13 17 92 to arrange a priority safety inspection and they will get one.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will write to all households known to have had foil insulation installed under the Home Insulation Program over the coming weeks to provide details of the new Foil Insulation Safety Program. The roll-out of the Program involves PwC engaging UGL Services to manage logistics, inspection and rectification work.

Initially, UGL Services will provide around 140 electricians to undertake electrical inspections and safety work. UGL Services will immediately commence a competitive procurement process to engage additional licensed electrical contractors. It is anticipated that around 760 electricians will be required, with the majority needed in Queensland and Northern NSW.

The Department will be inviting key stakeholders including those from the electrical industry, to discuss the roll out of the Program next week. Mr Combet stressed that only qualified electricians would be involved in the Program. UGL Services will be required to ensure that its sub-contractors meet the required OH&S and safety standards. All electricians will be provided with an induction including mandatory safety processes and will be required to work in pairs.

Mr Combet reinforced that households should not physically inspect their foil insulation themselves. "It is vital that householders do not enter the ceiling space before a licensed electrician has removed the foil insulation or installed a safety switch", Mr Combet said.

Mr Combet also warned households to beware of shonky operators who may try to pass themselves off as official government inspectors. "Households will progressively receive letters which will provide details on how appointments are to be made,” Mr Combet said. “A good test is that if there is a cost quoted to the household for an inspection then that inspector is not part of the Government’s Program.”