Electrical safety check
Victoria’s new rental laws came into effect on 29 March 2021.
Rental providers must ensure that an electrical safety check of all electrical installations and fittings in the premises (in accordance with section 4 of AS/NZS 3019 “Electrical installations—Periodic verification”) is conducted every two years by either:
- a Registered Electrical Contractor, or
- a licensed electrician that is employed by a Registered Electrical Contractor.
If requested, they must also provide the renter with the date of the most recent safety check, in writing.
If an electrical safety check has not been conducted within the last two years at the time the renter occupies the premises, the residential rental provider must arrange an electrical safety check as soon as practicable.
If the safety check shows that electrical repairs are needed to make the property safe, a rental provider should hire a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) or a licensed electrician employed by an REC to do the repair work.
Our Solution – Every Year
•Test all smoke detectors
•Change over any smoke detectors that are not working as intended
•Change over battery in smoke alarms
•Test and tag any appliance owned by the rental property owner
•Check the operation of RCD’s and RCBO’s
Our Solution – Every 2 Years
• Continuity of earthing system
• IR test
• Polarity test
• Correct circuit connections
• Earth fault loop impedance
• Test all smoke detectors
• Change over any smoke detectors that are not working as intended
• Change over battery in smoke alarms
• Test and tag any appliance owned by the rental property owner
• Check the operation of RCD’s and RCBO’s
• Audit all power points. light switches and light fittings
• Inspect hot water unit, air-conditioning units and appliances owned by landlord
Evidence of electrical safety checks
The electrician should provide a record of the electrical safety check, which must include:
- the full name and business details, including the licence or registration number, of the electrician or Registered Electrical Contractor who did the check
- the date of the safety check
- the results of the check, including any repairs that were required and actions taken to address the repair
- confirmation that all installations and fittings have been checked and found safe
Record keeping
A record of an electrical safety check may be any of the following:
- a compliance certificate
- a document from the electrician or Registered Electrical Contractor
- an ‘’Electrical Installation audit report’
A record of the most recent electrical safety check must be kept until a record of the next safety check is created.
A copy of the most recent gas safety check must be provided to the renter within seven days after the rental provider receives a written request from the renter.
You can access further information and guidance and electrical and gas safety checks on the
Electrical safety checks for newly built homes
A certificate of compliance within the meaning of section 3 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 for electrical work will meet the requirement of an electrical safety check for the purposes of the new rental laws.
If an occupancy permit has been provided for the premises, supported by the appropriate compliance certificates, this will also satisfy the requirement of the initial gas and electrical safety check.
If a rental provider does not have the necessary certificates relating to their property, these can be obtained by contacting the Victorian Building Authority on 1300 815 127 or at https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/legal/foi.