Ditto here. Working with mains voltages and cabling every day for over 20 years. I know the IEC specs forwards backwards, but I'm 40, married and can't afford to leave my EE day job for a 4 year apprenticeship that pays nothing.

Apparently you can pay ~$12K to an RTO (the 'pay to get qualified' type) and get it done in a year, but you still require a sparkie to sign off, as well as photo/video evidence along with written and practical tests.

I feel like Electrical/HVAC are among the most gate-kept trades in Australia.