The short answer
In NSW, test and tag is a legal requirement for electrical equipment used in a hostile operating environment at a workplace, under section 150 of the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. That means anywhere normal use exposes plug-in equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust. Construction and demolition sites have their own mandatory standard, AS/NZS 3012:2019. Outside those situations, the law does not set a blanket "every workplace, every year" rule, but SafeWork NSW still expects you to manage the risk, and lower-risk workplaces may still need inspection and testing, just less often.
The rest of this page explains where the rules come from, who can do the testing, what your records need to show and how we do it around Wagga Wagga and the Riverina.
Where the rules come from
There are three layers, and it helps to keep them separate.
- The law. The NSW WHS Regulation 2025 replaced the 2017 Regulation on 22 August 2025. Its provisions are now called "sections" rather than "clauses", but the electrical duties carried over. Section 150 is the one that makes regular inspection and testing of equipment in hostile environments mandatory.
- The Code of Practice. SafeWork NSW's Managing electrical risks in the workplace Code of Practice explains how to meet the duty, including who is competent to test and the general testing frequencies SafeWork expects.
- The standard. AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs is the technical method. It replaced the 2010 edition, so if someone quotes "AS/NZS 3760:2010" to you, that is out of date.
The NSW Code differs from the older 2018 national model code. The national version said testing was not required in lower-risk environments. The NSW Code says dry, clean places like offices, shops and classrooms may still need inspection and testing, only less often.
What counts as a hostile environment
SafeWork NSW describes a hostile operating environment as one where normal use exposes equipment to:
- moisture
- heat
- vibration
- mechanical damage
- corrosive chemicals
- dust
In the Riverina that covers a lot of ground: farm workshops and machinery sheds, grain and feed handling, irrigation pump sites, commercial kitchens, cleaning businesses, mechanics, fabrication shops and anything going in and out of a ute every day. On a farm, sheds, pumps and workshops are workplaces, so the WHS duties apply there too.
Equipment used in a hostile environment that has not been tested must not be used until it is tested. That is the part people get caught on after a SafeWork visit or an insurance question.
Who is allowed to test and tag
You do not need a licensed electrician to test and tag in NSW. SafeWork NSW accepts either:
- a licensed electrician, or
- a person who has done structured training and been deemed competent in visual inspection and in using a pass/fail portable appliance tester.
There is one exception worth knowing. On construction sites, the construction wiring, site switchboards and transportable structures must be tested by a licensed electrician. Tools and leads on site can still be done by a trained competent person. See our page on test and tag for construction sites for the details.
Nelson is a licensed electrician (contractor licence 374694C), so we can do both the portable equipment and the fixed site work in one visit.
What the test involves
A proper test and tag is more than a sticker. It covers:
- Visual inspection of the plug, lead, cord grip, casing and switch for damage, burns, exposed conductors or dodgy repairs.
- Electrical tests to suit the class of equipment. Class I equipment is earthed and has a 3-pin plug. Class II equipment is double insulated, marked with a square inside a square, and has no earth. An earth continuity test applies only to Class I items.
- Tagging the item with the result.
- Recording the result in a register.
If something fails, it has to be withdrawn from use and given an out-of-service tag. After it is repaired, it must be retested and retagged before anyone uses it again.
What your records must show
SafeWork NSW says the test record must show:
| Record item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The tester's name | Shows a competent person did it |
| The date of the test | Starts the clock for the next test |
| The outcome | Pass, or fail and withdrawn |
| The date the next test is due | Lets anyone check it is current |
A tag on the item is the usual way to show this at a glance. We also give you a digital test register, so you have the full list for an audit, a principal contractor or your insurer.
Safety switches (RCDs) at work
Test and tag is not just about leads and tools. In a workplace, the person with management or control must make sure RCDs are tested regularly by a competent person. Records of those tests (other than the simple push-button test) must be kept until the next test or until the device is disposed of.
Under the WHS Regulation, plug-in equipment at work also needs RCD protection when it is used in conditions likely to damage it, moved between locations where damage is likely, moved often in normal use, or is part of an amusement device. If you are not sure your sheds or work areas have the right protection, our safety switch rules guide explains the basics.
What about rentals and homes?
NSW law does not require landlords to test and tag a tenant's appliances, or fixed appliances in a domestic rental. The test and tag duty under the WHS laws applies to workplaces. If you are a landlord, the electrical rules that do apply are covered in our landlord electrical obligations guide.
How test and tag is priced with NAF Electrical
Test and tag is priced per item, and the per-item price drops as the number of items goes up. Three-phase items are priced separately, there is a minimum charge for small jobs, and lists of more than 200 items get a custom quote. The price includes the visual inspection, testing, tagging, results and a digital test register. Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out.
Use the test and tag estimate to price your own list from your item count and address, or see our test and tag service.
Common questions
Is test and tag a legal requirement in NSW?
It is for electrical equipment used in a hostile operating environment at a workplace (section 150 of the WHS Regulation 2025) and on construction and demolition sites (through AS/NZS 3012:2019). For lower-risk workplaces, testing frequency comes from your risk assessment and AS/NZS 3760 guidance, and SafeWork NSW says those places may still need it, just less often.
Does an electrician have to do test and tag?
No. In NSW a person who has completed structured training and been deemed competent can test and tag portable equipment. A licensed electrician is required for construction wiring, site switchboards and transportable structures on building sites.
What happens if an item fails?
It must be taken out of service straight away and fitted with an out-of-service tag. It can only go back into use after it has been repaired, retested and retagged. Often a cheap lead or power board is simply replaced.
Do I need to test brand-new equipment?
Ask Nelson about your situation. Practice for new equipment varies, and we would rather check your gear and setup than give you a one-size answer.
How often do I need to test and tag?
It depends on the environment and your risk assessment. SafeWork NSW's general rule for hostile environments is at least every 12 months, with some equipment more often. Our guide on how often to test and tag covers it in detail.