The present invention provides for a starting switch circuit which is generally applicable to ballasts and fluorescent lamps having different normal rated power from each other. A starting switch circuit includes a serially-connected circuit having a first rectifier circuit, a semiconductor switching element including a control terminal, and a first resistor circuit for detecting a current flowing to the semiconductor switching element, all connected in series; a first timer circuit, connected in parallel to a series circuit of the semiconductor switching element and the first resistor circuit, for switching the semiconductor switching element to OFF state after the semiconductor switching element is in ON state for a predetermined period of time; and a control circuit for controlling the semiconductor switching element.