The short answer
On NSW construction and demolition sites, tools, leads, power boards and portable RCDs must be tested and tagged to AS/NZS 3760 every 3 months. That comes from AS/NZS 3012:2019, which is a mandatory standard under section 163 of the NSW WHS Regulation 2025. Construction wiring and site switchboards are tested before they are switched on and visually re-inspected every 6 months, and those must be done by a licensed electrician. Tags must be durable, non-metallic and show the test date, next test date, tester's name and the standard.
Why building sites are different
Outside building sites, many test and tag intervals come from a risk assessment, as explained in our guide on how often to test and tag. Construction sites are not left to judgement. AS/NZS 3012:2019, the standard for electrical installations on construction and demolition sites, is called up as a mandatory standard by section 163 of the NSW WHS Regulation 2025, which replaced the 2017 Regulation on 22 August 2025.
SafeWork NSW sums up the requirements in its electrical practices for construction and demolition sites fact sheet. The key points are below.
Testing intervals on site
| What | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Tools, extension leads, power boards, portable RCDs | Tested to AS/NZS 3760 every 3 months |
| Construction wiring and site switchboards | Tested before energisation, then visually re-inspected every 6 months |
| Relocatable structures (site sheds, offices) | Every 6 months |
| Fixed or transportable equipment | Every 6 months |
Building sites are hard on gear. Leads get run over, dragged through mud and left out in the rain, and power tools take knocks every day. That is why the interval is short.
Testing safety switches (RCDs) on site
RCDs have their own schedule under AS/NZS 3012:
| RCD | Push-button test | Operating time test |
|---|---|---|
| Portable | Before each use | Every 3 months |
| Fixed | Monthly | Every 12 months |
The push-button test is something any worker can do: press the "T" or "Test" button and check that it trips. The operating time test needs proper equipment and is done by a competent person when the gear is tested and tagged. Records of RCD tests (other than the push-button test) must be kept until the next test or until the device is disposed of.
What the tag must show
On construction sites, tags must be durable and non-metallic, and must show:
- the date of the test
- the date the next test is due
- the name of the person who did the test
- the standard (AS/NZS 3760)
Colour-coded tags are optional in NSW. Some principal contractors like them because a site supervisor can see at a glance which quarter an item was tested in, but they are not required by law. What matters is that the dates are on the tag and readable.
Who can do the testing
This is where construction sites differ from other workplaces:
- Tools and leads can be tested by a trained competent person. You do not need a licensed electrician for these.
- Construction wiring, site switchboards and transportable structures must be tested by a licensed electrician.
Nelson is a licensed electrician (contractor licence 374694C), so he can test your portable gear and the site board, temporary wiring and site sheds in the same visit. That saves a builder organising two different people.
When gear fails
Faulty equipment must be withdrawn from use and given an out-of-service tag. It can only come back onto site after it has been repaired, retested and retagged. On a busy job it is usually quicker to replace a damaged lead or power board than to repair it, and we will tell you which is which on the day.
A few things that commonly fail on site:
- leads with cut or crushed outer sheath, or with insulation tape "repairs"
- plugs with cracked tops or loose pins
- power boards that have been left in water or are overloaded
- tools with damaged cords where they enter the handle
- portable RCDs that don't trip, or trip too slowly
A simple site routine
- Before work starts, check every lead and tool has a current tag. No tag or out of date means it doesn't get plugged in.
- Push-button test portable RCDs before each use.
- Push-button test fixed RCDs on the site board monthly and note it down.
- Book a test and tag visit every 3 months for portable gear.
- Have the site board and construction wiring re-inspected every 6 months.
- Keep the test register on site or on your phone, ready for a principal contractor or SafeWork inspector.
Subbies bringing their own tools onto a site need their gear tagged too. Many principal contractors in Wagga and around the Riverina check tags at induction.
Pricing for builders and trades
Test and tag is priced per item, so the main things that affect the price are how many items there are and how many are three-phase, which are common on larger sites. Very large lots get a custom quote. You get the visual inspection, testing, tags, results and a digital test register.
Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out, based on the site address. Lining up several crews or sites for the same visit keeps it down.
Work out your own price with the test and tag estimate, or see our test and tag service. If you are building, we also do the permanent wiring on new builds.
Common questions
How often do you test and tag on a building site in NSW?
Every 3 months for tools, leads, power boards and portable RCDs, under AS/NZS 3012:2019. Site switchboards and construction wiring are tested before being switched on and visually re-inspected every 6 months. Relocatable structures and fixed or transportable equipment are every 6 months.
Do I need an electrician to test and tag on a construction site?
For tools and leads, no: a trained competent person can do them. For construction wiring, site switchboards and transportable structures, yes: they must be tested by a licensed electrician.
Do construction site tags have to be colour-coded?
No. Colour-coded tags are optional in NSW. The tag must be durable and non-metallic and show the test date, next test date, tester's name and AS/NZS 3760.
How often do I test RCDs on site?
Portable RCDs get a push-button test before each use and an operating time test every 3 months. Fixed RCDs get a push-button test monthly and an operating time test every 12 months.
Is AS/NZS 3012 actually law?
Yes, in effect. Section 163 of the NSW WHS Regulation 2025 calls it up as a mandatory standard, so following it is part of meeting your legal duties on site.