Electrical: inspection and testing

Item	How often	Basis	Reference	Applies to
Portable electrical equipment, tools and flexible extension cords: construction siteBy: Licensed electrician, licensed electrical inspector, or competent person trained in pass/fail PAT testing State notes Model WHS jurisdictions (NSW, SA, TAS, ACT, NT, Cth; WA WHS (General) Regs 2022): r.163 makes AS/NZS 3012:2019 mandatory. QLD applies AS/NZS 3012 through the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013. VIC: the OHS Regulations 2017 contain no test-and-tag or RCD-testing regulation (no equivalent of model WHS r.150, r.163-165). The VIC benchmark is WorkSafe Victoria's Industry standard 'Electrical installations on construction sites' (Table 2); legal duty arises under OHS Act 2004 s.21 and OHS Regs r.114. VIC industry standard also requires 3-monthly test (earth continuity, insulation resistance per AS/NZS 3760).	Every 3 monthsInspect and test before first use; after repair; tag and record each test	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	Model WHS Reg 163 (compliance with AS/NZS 3012:2019); AS/NZS 3012:2019; WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.4 & Table 2WorkSafe Victoria	Construction
Visual check of electrical equipment and leads before use: construction siteBy: User/operator State notes Model WHS: via r.163/AS/NZS 3012. VIC: industry standard s.4.4 ('should be inspected for wear and mechanical damage').	Before each useWithdraw and tag out if damaged	WHS statesStandardVICRegulator guidance	AS/NZS 3012:2019; WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.4WorkSafe Victoria	Construction
Construction wiring including site switchboards and wiring in transportable structures (site sheds)By: Licensed electrician (VIC: A-class) or licensed electrical inspector State notes VIC: industry standard s.4.3 - re-test every 6 months by A-class licensed electrician or electrical inspector; records on site. Model jurisdictions: 6-monthly visual inspection per AS/NZS 3012 (NT, TAS). Disagreement: SafeWork SA page lists 3 months for fixed/transportable equipment, construction wiring and switchboards - check site-specific requirement.	Every 6 monthsInitial test and certification before first use; re-inspect and re-test if a switchboard is relocated	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	AS/NZS 3012:2019 (via model WHS Reg 163); WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.3 & Table 2WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe Tasmania, NT WorkSafe, SafeWork SA	Construction
RCD push-button test: portable RCDs (portable outlet assemblies/PSOAs, generators) - construction siteBy: Operator/user State notes Consistent across VIC industry standard, TAS and NT guidance. Daily push-button tests need not be recorded (model WHS r.165(2)).	After connecting to supply and at least daily when in useBefore connecting equipment	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	AS/NZS 3012:2019 (via model WHS Reg 163); WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.5 & Table 2WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe Tasmania, NT WorkSafe	Construction
RCD push-button test: fixed RCDs on construction switchboards and site shedsBy: Licensed electrician, competent person or site representative State notes VIC industry standard: 'must be tested every month' (monthly = up to 5 weeks). TAS and NT: monthly. SafeWork SA page shows 3 months for non-portable fixed RCDs - conservative monthly recorded.	Every monthRecord date and result	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	AS/NZS 3012:2019 (via model WHS Reg 163); WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.5 & Table 2WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe Tasmania	Construction
RCD operating-time (trip-time) test: portable RCDs - construction siteBy: Licensed electrician or person trained and deemed competent with an RCD tester State notes VIC (default): monthly. Model WHS jurisdictions: 3-monthly under AS/NZS 3012 (TAS, NT). VIC is stricter.	Every month (VIC); every 3 months (AS/NZS 3012:2019 elsewhere)Tag and record results	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.5 & Table 2; AS/NZS 3012:2019 cl.3.5 (via model WHS Reg 163)WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe Tasmania, NT WorkSafe	Construction
RCD operating-time (trip-time) test: fixed RCDs on construction switchboardsBy: Licensed electrician or trained competent person State notes VIC (default): monthly, or up to 3-monthly with documented justification. Model WHS jurisdictions: 12-monthly by competent person under AS/NZS 3012 (TAS, NT, SA); WorkSafe TAS recommends more often on site.	Every month (VIC, up to 3 months if justified); every 12 months (AS/NZS 3012:2019 elsewhere)VIC: may extend to 3 months only where the site shows an equipment-entry system plus a risk assessment	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.5 & Table 2; AS/NZS 3012:2019 cl.3.5 (via model WHS Reg 163)WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe Tasmania, NT WorkSafe	Construction
Portable generators: construction siteBy: Licensed electrician or competent person State notes VIC industry standard treats portable generators as portable equipment (3-monthly). Model WHS: r.163/AS/NZS 3012. No generator-specific interval found in regulator material.	Every 3 monthsInitial RCD injection test for any generator new to the site or of unknown history; RCD on generator push-button tested daily	WHS statesMandatoryVICRegulator guidance	WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.4.4-4.5 & Table 2 (portable equipment includes portable generators); AS/NZS 3012:2019; AS/NZS 3010 (generating sets)From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.WorkSafe Victoria, Australian Constructors Association	Construction
Emergency evacuation lighting on construction sites (battery-powered)By: Licensed electrician or trained person State notes VIC-specific guidance. Elsewhere follow AS/NZS 3012 / AS/NZS 2293.2.	Every 6 months (discharge test)Record results; must operate at least 1 hour after loss of supply	WHS statesStandardVICRegulator guidance	WorkSafe Vic Industry standard s.6 & Table 2WorkSafe Victoria	Construction
Portable electrical equipment: factories, workshops, places of manufacture, repair or assemblyBy: Competent person (licensed electrician or trained PAT tester) State notes Model WHS r.150 requires regular inspection and testing by a competent person of plug-in equipment in hostile operating environments (moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, dust); intervals come from AS/NZS 3760. VIC: no equivalent regulation - AS/NZS 3760 is the benchmark under OHS Act s.21. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 prescribes its own intervals for manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work and takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760.	Every 6 monthsAlso after repair/service and before return to service (AS/NZS 5762)	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (retest interval table); model WHS Reg 150From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), SafeWork SA	Warehouse/factory
Portable electrical equipment: environments with flexing, abuse or hostile conditions (not factory/construction)By: Competent person State notes Model WHS r.150 requires regular inspection and testing by a competent person of plug-in equipment in hostile operating environments (moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, dust); intervals come from AS/NZS 3760. VIC: no equivalent regulation - AS/NZS 3760 is the benchmark under OHS Act s.21. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 prescribes its own intervals for manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work and takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760. SWA fact sheet also gives 'at least every 12 months' for hostile environments generally.	Every 12 months	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (retest interval table); model WHS Reg 150From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), Safe Work Australia	All workplaces
Portable electrical equipment: office/low-risk areas (not flexed, abused or hostile)By: Competent person State notes Model WHS r.150 requires regular inspection and testing by a competent person of plug-in equipment in hostile operating environments (moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, dust); intervals come from AS/NZS 3760. VIC: no equivalent regulation - AS/NZS 3760 is the benchmark under OHS Act s.21. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 prescribes its own intervals for manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work and takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760. QLD office work: see Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 / WorkSafe QLD table (5 years for office equipment without safety-switch protection).	Every 5 yearsInspect earlier if damage suspected	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (retest interval table)From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), WorkSafe Queensland	Office
Portable electrical equipment: residential-type areas (hotels, motels, accommodation, halls)By: Competent person State notes Model WHS r.150 requires regular inspection and testing by a competent person of plug-in equipment in hostile operating environments (moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, dust); intervals come from AS/NZS 3760. VIC: no equivalent regulation - AS/NZS 3760 is the benchmark under OHS Act s.21. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 prescribes its own intervals for manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work and takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760.	Every 2 yearsIncludes cord sets, extension sets and portable outlet devices	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (retest interval table)From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary)	All workplaces
Commercial cleaning equipmentBy: Competent person State notes Model WHS r.150 requires regular inspection and testing by a competent person of plug-in equipment in hostile operating environments (moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, dust); intervals come from AS/NZS 3760. VIC: no equivalent regulation - AS/NZS 3760 is the benchmark under OHS Act s.21. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 prescribes its own intervals for manufacturing, service, office, amusement and rural work and takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760.	Every 6 months	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (retest interval table)From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), Safe Work Australia	All workplaces
Hire electrical equipmentBy: Hire company competent person State notes VIC: OHS Regs r.93 requires hire suppliers to inspect and maintain plant between hires (Mandatory). WorkSafe Vic construction industry standard: test before delivery.	Before each hire, and every 3 months during hireFor extended hires, user applies the interval for their workplace type	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022; SWA electrical risks fact sheetSafe Work Australia	All workplaces
Repaired, serviced or second-hand electrical equipmentBy: Competent person State notes Testing before return to service comes from AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS 5762, not a regulation. Model WHS r.149: equipment found unsafe must not be used again until it is repaired or tested and found safe. New, unused equipment is exempt from r.150 testing unless there are grounds to suspect it is unsafe.	Before return to serviceAfter repair/service that could affect electrical safety, before first use if second-hand or no test record	Standard	Model WHS Reg 150; AS/NZS 3760:2022; AS/NZS 5762Safe Work Australia	All workplaces
RCD push-button test: fixed RCDs (non-construction workplaces)By: User or competent person State notes Model WHS r.165 requires regular testing by a competent person and records (excluding daily tests) until next test. Intervals from AS/NZS 3760. QLD: Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 office/manufacturing intervals apply. VIC: benchmark only.	Every 6 months	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (RCD interval table); model WHS Reg 165 ('regularly')From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), WorkSafe Queensland	All workplaces
RCD push-button test: portable RCDs (non-construction workplaces)By: User State notes See model WHS r.165. QLD: portable RCDs prohibited in manufacturing since 1 March 2008 (WorkSafe QLD).	Daily or before use (factories/workshops); every 3 months (other environments)	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (RCD interval table); model WHS Reg 165From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), WorkSafe Queensland	Warehouse/factory
RCD operating-time test: fixed and portable RCDs (non-construction workplaces)By: Competent person with RCD tester State notes Model WHS r.165; QLD Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 office: 2 years (fixed). Conservative 12 months recorded.	Every 12 months (factories, hostile environments); every 2 years (low-risk/office)	Standard	AS/NZS 3760:2022 (RCD interval table); model WHS Reg 165From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.The Local Guys Test & Tag (secondary), WorkSafe Queensland	All workplaces

What the basis labels mean

A planning guide, not legal advice. Intervals are minimums under normal conditions: shorten them where use, environment, damage or a risk assessment calls for it, and follow the current edition of the standard, your regulator's guidance and the manufacturer's instructions. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017; the other states and territories under the model WHS laws as adopted locally. Items checked 28 October 2026.

Sources

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