February's been busy across compliance and test and tag. Enforcement activity is up, a serious electrical recall has been issued, and a major industry partnership has just been announced.
Here’s what’s unfolding across the compliance and electrical safety space.
More Than $17 Million in Workplace Safety Penalties Issued in 2025
WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed $17.39 million in fines, costs and enforceable undertakings in 2025.
Construction led the way with 64 prosecutions, followed by manufacturing (30) and transport and warehousing (8).
Working at height offences accounted for the highest number of outcomes - 52 employers fined a combined $3.74 million. Mobile plant breaches (forklifts and cranes) were next, followed by unguarded machinery.
WorkSafe has also introduced new psychological health regulations as of December 2025, increasing employer obligations around psychosocial risk management.
The broader message here is that enforcement isn't slowing down.
While not every prosecution relates to portable appliances, one consistent theme across cases is failure to properly identify and control risk. Documented systems, visible controls and properly trained staff remain among the most practical safeguards a business can implement.
Full details are available via WorkSafe Victoria.
HRIA Launches Official Test & Tag Member Benefit
We’re proud to announce a new member benefit partnership with the Hire & Rental Industry Association (HRIA), Australia’s peak body representing hire and rental businesses nationwide.
Under the agreement, HRIA members now receive exclusive member pricing on our Nationally Recognised Test & Tag Training courses when booking through the dedicated HRIA portal.
The initiative ensures hire and rental operators have access to accredited electrical safety training tailored specifically to their operating environment.
Nicolas Chiew, HRIA’s National Training Consultant, said the partnership strengthens training access for members.
Electrical compliance is a critical component of our industry’s commitment to safe operations. Partnering with Test & Tag Training allows us to offer high-quality, accredited training at a preferential rate, while strengthening the resources available to our members.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to compliant systems, professional standards and defensible safety practices across the hire industry.
As Australia’s peak hire industry body aligning with Australia's largest dedicated Test & Tag training provider, the partnership represents a practical step toward lifting compliance standards at scale across the sector.
Further details are being released through HRIA channels this week.
The Top 5 PAT Testers for 2026 Are Now Live
After months of field testing, team input and real-world feedback, the Appliance Testing Supplies Top 5 PAT Testers 2026 guide is officially live.
This isn’t a recycled list. It reflects how testers are actually performing in hire fleets, construction environments, facilities management contracts and high-volume testing operations right now.
The guide breaks down:
- Which PAT Tester models made the cut this year
- What's changed compared to 2025
- Where certain testers fall short
- What's genuinely worth investing in
If you’re reviewing test and tag equipment this year or planning upgrades - this guide will save you time and potentially a costly mistake.
View the top 5 PAT Testers list for 2026.
New Electrical Product Recall
A recall has been issued for the Model 220 AC/DC charger supplied with the Brilliant Aussies ultra-light cordless leaf blower.
The blower unit itself is not affected, the charger is the issue.
The plug pins are uninsulated and the unit does not carry the required Australian Regulatory Compliance Mark. The hazards include electric shock from exposed pins and risk of fire or property damage.
If this charger is sitting in a workshop, van, warehouse or hire fleet - check it, remove it and replace it.
This is a reminder that compliance doesn’t stop at testing intervals. Staying alert to recalls is just as important as performing inspections.
View the full and official recall notice on the ACCC website.
Quarterly Test Tag Colour Change - March Reminder
From 1 March, the required test tag colour under the AS/NZS 3012 quarterly rotation system changes to Green.
If you’re testing in construction, demolition or mining environments operating under quarterly inspection cycles, make sure your test tags reflect the new colour.
While the Australian Standard 3760 does not legally require colour coding, many worksites adopt the recognised rotation system as a quick visual compliance reference. Using the wrong colour can raise unnecessary questions during audits or site inspections.
If you’re servicing multiple high-risk sites, now’s a good time to check your tag stock before heading out.
Disaster Relief Australia Strengthens National Operations with Test & Tag Training
Disaster Relief Australia, one of the country’s most respected veteran-led disaster response organisations, recently discussed the role Test & Tag Training plays in strengthening electrical compliance across its national operations.
In a feature published through industry channels, including Tradie Magazine, Disaster Relief Australia outlined how it has brought test and tag capability in-house - delivering Nationally Recognised training to volunteers and standardising PAT testing equipment across deployment teams.
With more than 7,000 volunteers operating nationwide, electrical compliance in disaster response environments must be proactive, documented and field-ready.
We’re proud to support organisations like Disaster Relief Australia, where compliance and safety directly impact frontline operations.
Read our full Disaster Relief Australia news update.
