What the law actually requires — and the myth that test-and-tag is mandatory
Your duty is to make sure electrical equipment is electrically safe — not specifically to test-and-tag. Test-and-tag to AS/NZS 3760 is a recognised, “deemed safe” way to show that, but WorkSafe is clear it is not legally mandatory. How often you test depends on the environment, and tagged gear still needs visual checks and, where required, RCD protection.
It's widely believed that every workplace must test-and-tag its appliances. That's not what the law says.
WorkSafe is explicit: there is no legal requirement to test and tag in-service appliances and leads, in a work or home setting. What the law requires is that electrical equipment is electrically safe. Test-and-tag to AS/NZS 3760 is one recognised method the Regulations deem safe, which is why it's so common — but it's a means to an end, not a legal obligation in its own right. The obligation is the safe equipment, not the sticker.
Under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 and the HSWA, you must ensure electrical equipment is safe to use.
That means equipment is in safe condition, maintained, and not likely to give someone an electric shock or start a fire. A fitting or appliance is deemed electrically safe if it carries a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 — which is why test-and-tag is the usual route. But you can meet the duty in other ways, provided the equipment is genuinely safe.
A competent person inspects and tests the equipment, then tags it with the test date and next due date.
Testing catches faults that aren't visible — damaged insulation, earthing problems and the like — and confirms the item was safe at the time of testing. It must be done by a competent (trained) person with proper test equipment; you can train your own staff or use a third party. New equipment generally doesn't need testing before first use but should be visually checked for obvious damage and tagged. Crucially, a tag confirms safety only at the moment of testing, so day-to-day visual checks still matter.
AS/NZS 3760 sets intervals by environment — the rougher the conditions, the more often.
| Environment | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| Construction & demolition | Every 3 months (hostile conditions, frequent damage). |
| Workshops, factories, warehouses | Around every 6 months. |
| Offices, retail, schools | Around every 12 months. |
| Low-risk (e.g. server rooms) | Up to every 5 years. |
These are the standard's guide intervals — a minimum, not a maximum. A risk assessment may justify testing more often.
Test-and-tag is part of a system, not the whole of electrical safety.
Residual current devices (RCDs) cut the power fast if a fault could shock someone, and are an important protection in many situations — tagged equipment must still be RCD-protected where required. Encourage workers to give leads and plugs a quick visual check before use and report anything damaged. Together, safe equipment, RCD protection and everyday vigilance do far more than a sticker alone.
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No. WorkSafe is clear there is no legal requirement to test and tag in-service appliances and leads. The legal duty is to ensure electrical equipment is electrically safe. Test-and-tag to AS/NZS 3760 is a recognised, deemed-safe way to demonstrate that, which is why it's widely used.
AS/NZS 3760, the joint Australian/New Zealand standard for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs. It sets out testing procedures, record keeping and recommended intervals by environment.
It depends on the environment. Typical intervals are every 3 months on construction and demolition sites, around 6 months in workshops and factories, around 12 months in offices and schools, and up to 5 years for low-risk equipment like server rooms. These are minimums — you can test more often.
A competent person with proper test equipment. You can train your own staff to do it or engage a third party. The key is that the person is trained and the testing equipment is suitable and calibrated.
Generally no — the supplier is responsible for new equipment's initial safety. It should be visually checked for obvious damage before first use and tagged accordingly, then brought into your normal testing cycle.
