How often must I test and tag electrical equipment?

It depends on the environment. AS/NZS 3760:2022 Table 4 recommends: construction, demolition and mining 3 months; factories, workshops and warehouses 6 months; commercial cleaning equipment 6 months; cords and equipment subject to flexing, abuse or a hostile environment (such as commercial kitchens) 12 months; residential-type areas such as hotels and halls 2 years; hire equipment inspected before each hire and tested every 3 months; and fixed office, IT and server-room equipment that isn't flexed or abused every 5 years.

Is test and tag the law in Australia?

Not for general workplaces. AS/NZS 3760 is a voluntary Standard, not law itself. WHS law doesn't name a fixed interval — the duty is to keep electrical equipment safe, and following AS/NZS 3760 is the accepted way to do it. Testing does become legally required on construction and demolition sites, where AS/NZS 3012 is mandated, and Queensland separately mandates in-service testing for some higher-risk workplaces.

What is the test and tag interval for an office?

AS/NZS 3760:2022 recommends a 5-year interval, as a guide, for fixed equipment that isn't flexed, abused or used in a hostile environment, such as office, IT and server-room equipment. This is a Standard recommendation, not a fixed legal requirement, and it's a maximum — a risk assessment can require testing more often.

Can I test and tag more often than the Standard says?

Yes. The intervals in AS/NZS 3760 are maximums — the longest acceptable gap between tests. A risk assessment can require you to test more frequently, but never less frequently. If equipment is heavily used, damaged or in a harsh environment, test it more often.

Does AS/NZS 3760 apply in Victoria?

Victoria is not part of the harmonised WHS scheme and runs its own electrical safety instruments. AS/NZS 3760 is still widely used in Victoria as the accepted method for keeping electrical equipment safe, but check WorkSafe Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria for any specific requirements. Western Australia also runs separate instruments.

Test and Tag Interval Finder

Find how often electrical equipment must be tested and tagged for your environment under AS/NZS 3760, from construction sites to offices.

Last verified: 21 June 2026

AS/NZS 3760:2022 sets recommended test-and-tag intervals by environment — 3 months on construction sites, 6 months in factories, 5 years for fixed office equipment, and more. These intervals are maximums, and the Standard is a recommendation, not law in itself — except on construction and demolition sites and for some Queensland workplaces, where testing is mandated. This tool shows your interval and what it legally means.

Find your test-and-tag interval

Pick the environment your electrical equipment is used in to see the recommended interval under AS/NZS 3760, whether it's a legal requirement or a Standard recommendation, and what that means for you. Add your state for jurisdiction-specific notes.

1. Where is the equipment used?

2. Your state or territory (optional)

Choose an environment above to see your recommended test-and-tag interval.

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FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.

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