Electrical Safety Switch/ RCDs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Requirements in Each State
  • Queensland
  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania

There are requirements in every state to ensure there is a working Electrical Safety Switch installed & working in residential properties. Safety switches shut off electricity supply when a current leakage is detected. This avoids serious electric shock and possible electric burns by stopping the current flowing through a person. It’s important that the property manager/owner and tenants/residents know where the safety switches are located at the property.

PLEASE NOTE: The below information is subject to change. You should always seek current & relevant information as per legislation in your state. 

Requirements in Each State

Queensland

All power point circuits in rental properties must have a safety switch attached. If a safety switch isn’t present, the property owner must ensure an approved safety switch is installed as soon as practical once a proposed tenancy agreement has been sent to the tenant.

Safety switches should be regularly tested by the property manager/owner or the tenant. The responsibility for testing can be discussed at the start of a tenancy agreement. The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) recommends that testing should be done every three months using the test button. If the safety switch does not cut the power to the connected circuit when tested, the tenant should alert the emergency repair contact in their tenancy agreement immediately.  

For further information, please refer to the following webpage:

https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/during-a-tenancy/maintenance/electrical-safety#:~:text=All%20power%20point%20circuits%20in,been%20sent%20to%20the%20tenant.

New South Wales

All power point circuits in rental properties must have a safety switch attached. 

At the start of every tenancy a condition report must be completed by both the agent/landlord and the tenant. The security/safety section of the condition report includes whether there is a working safety switch for the property, and both parties need to indicate whether or not it is working. Agents and landlords are reminded that testing the safety switch is the only way to confirm whether it is working at the start of a tenancy. 

If a safety switch is found to be faulty or if it is detecting an electrical fault before or during a tenancy, this would be considered an urgent repair.

For further information, please refer to the following webpage:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/electrical-safety-home

https://www.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/consumer-rights-and-protection/safety/electrical-safety/electrical-safety-requirements-and-consumer-rights

Victoria

Rental properties must have modern switchboards with circuit breakers and electrical safety switches. Rental providers must hire an electrician to check this. This is a rental minimum standard in Victoria.

For further information, please refer to the following webpage:

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pets/minimum-standards/minimum-standards-for-rental-properties

Western Australia

A rental home must have two RCDs installed on the switchboard before it can be leased. A licensed electrician needs to install them. 

It is also recommended that tenants be reminded to test the RCDs every three months and inform the property manager if the RCD does not operate.

For further information, please refer to the following webpage:

https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/rental-home-safety

South Australia

All new homes must have safety switches protecting all power points and lighting circuits.

Tasmania

Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules requires safety switches to be fitted to all electrical final     sub-circuits in domestic and residential electrical installations