March 2025 has seen the Federal Budget announced, and while politicians throw around big numbers and buzzwords, we’ve combed through the latest announcements to pull out what actually matters for the test and tag industry.
Whether you’re a sole trader, running a test and tag business, or thinking about getting started - here’s what you need to know. And like always, none of this is guaranteed - but it gives us a pretty solid picture of the road ahead.
Relief for Small Businesses: Energy Bills Down, Pressure Still On
If you're paying for test and tag equipment, test tags, accessories etc. every dollar counts - and this time, the budget is offering some help.
What’s in it?
- $325 in electricity bill relief for around 1 million small businesses.
- Direct credits applied to your bill – no paperwork needed.
What it means for you:
- If you're using high-powered testing gear or running a small office, it’s a bit of breathing room.
- Not life-changing, but in a time where everything's going up, it's something.
No More $20K Instant Asset Write-Off?
Now with some bad news.
The popular $20,000 instant asset write-off which allowed small businesses to claim an immediate deduction on tools and equipment, has now officially been scrapped.
What it means for you:
- If you were planning to buy a new tester, printer or accessories, you’ll now likely need to depreciate the cost over multiple years instead of claiming it all upfront.
- This hits hardest for sole traders and smaller operators looking to upgrade their kit without long-term tax headaches.
- It’s still tax deductible of course - just not instantly.
- It’s a disappointing move for tradies and small test & tag businesses who were relying on that write-off to keep equipment fresh and cash flow healthy.
National Electrical Licensing on the Horizon
A national license for sparkies? That’s the goal it appears.
The government wants to make it easier for licensed electricians to work across different states without jumping through hoops.
Does this change anything for Test & Tag?
Not directly. If you're already a licensed electrician, you’ve always been allowed to test and tag - no questions asked. This won’t give you new powers.
But here's why it's still worth watching:
- It could make life easier for electricians who travel interstate - and could open up smoother partnerships if you're offering testing and tagging as part of a wider compliance service.
- If you're thinking bigger (franchises, business expansion), less red tape for tradies could streamline growth or hiring down the track.
- So it’s not a game changer for test and tag, but it’s another signal that the industry is shifting toward national consistency - and that’s rarely a bad thing.
Cybersecurity and Digital Support for Small Biz
Not the most exciting headline – but still worth knowing, especially for test and tag businesses and franchises.
What's in it:
- Support for small businesses to up their digital game and protect themselves from cyber threats. Over $60 million has been allocated to a variety of initiatives.
Why it matters:
- If you’re booking clients online or storing test results digitally, keeping your systems safe is becoming more important (and expected).
- If you're building your own system or CRM for appliance records, there might be funding or advice you can tap into.
Construction Still Booming – and That Means More Tagging Ahead
In our March Test & Tag News, we talked about the construction boom. The budget just doubled down on that.
What’s in the budget:
- Billions committed to infrastructure: including roads, rail, hospitals, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic upgrades.
- More funding for housing and social infrastructure across the states.
- Big push on apprenticeships and trades, aiming to get more workers job-ready.
What it means for Test & Tag:
- More builds = more tools and appliances = more testing and tagging.
- As sites scale up, so do their compliance needs, and businesses are under pressure to stay up to code.
- There’s likely to be steady demand for test and tagging tagging services
One more thing...
When construction booms, safety expectations rise too. We expect more eyes on compliance - not less. That’s good news for anyone considered a 'Competent Person' who know their stuff, and a solid reason to stay sharp with your test tags and records.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Federal Budget won’t change much overnight - but there’s enough in it to back what we already know: Test and Tag is here to stay, and safety’s still a top priority.
With continued support for construction, small business relief, and a bigger push for digital systems and national consistency, the road ahead looks steady for those in the industry.
Thinking about getting into Test & Tag?
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