An old house that is rewired would have a permit on file if it were done properly, and includes the name of the contractor if there is one. But there is often no proof on site.
In Australia all work carried out by an electrician is required to be certified. That is to say, the electrician must, on completion of the work, hand you a certificate stating that all work is to the relevant standard. They can't reasonably withhold the certificate, and it must be provided on completion not on payment.
An organisation called TechSafe[1] is charged with carrying out random inspections.
