Many of the changes shaping the test and tag industry in 2026 have been building for some time - and are now starting to affect how work is being done.
Over the past 6 to12 months, we’ve seen compliance expectations tighten, equipment decisions become more considered, and the way training and service delivery are approached continue to evolve. Those shifts are now influencing how work is being done on site, how audits are being run, and the questions businesses are asking.
This first update for 2026 brings together what’s been building, what we’re seeing right now, and a few key updates across training, equipment, and industry coverage.
Test & Tag Industry Insights: What’s Actually Changing in 2026
Over the past 12 months, the test and tag industry has shifted in some meaningful ways.
Test and tag service providers are becoming more structured, compliance pressure has increased across multiple states, and expectations around documentation, reporting and accountability are higher than they were even a few years ago. At the same time, price alone is becoming less decisive, with more businesses/clients focused on the Australian Standards, documentation and accountability - not just cost.
Taken together, these changes are raising expectations across the industry and redefining what is now considered acceptable practice. In practical terms, the gap between "doing the bare minimum" and operating professionally is widening - and it's becoming more visible to clients and auditors.
We’ve pulled these observations into a detailed Test & Tag Industry Snapshot for 2026, drawing on training activity, service provider behaviour, equipment demand, and ongoing engagement with businesses across Australia.
If you’re operating in the test and tag industry, or responsible for electrical safety and compliance - this is worth a read.
Read the 2026 Test & Tag Industry Insights
Appliance Testing Supplies website: easier to use, quicker to buy
We’ve also launched an updated Appliance Testing Supplies website to remove a lot of the friction we see people run into when buying test and tag equipment.
The focus has been on:
- finding the right PAT Tester faster
- clearly seeing which accessories, printers and software work together
- getting to the key information without digging through pages of specs
For regular customers who had an account on the previous website:
- your order history is now available
- repeat purchases are easier to manage
- simply enter your email address to receive a secure login link
As a bonus, all orders over $200 now receive free shipping – one less thing to think about when ordering.
Visit Appliance Testing Supplies
Industry coverage: mining skills shortage and safety training
This month, we published an article in Australian Mining Review (AMR) examining Australia’s mining skills shortage and the growing pressure it’s placing on electrical safety and compliance. With demand accelerating for critical minerals and competition for skilled labour intensifying, particularly across WA and remote regions - maintaining safe, compliant testing and tagging programs is becoming increasingly challenging.
The article looks at why upskilling capable team members is emerging as a practical response for mine operators looking to maintain compliance under AS/NZS 3012 while navigating ongoing workforce constraints.
Even outside mining, the same pressures are flowing through construction and other similar industries, where fewer skilled people are being asked to cover more ground.
Looking ahead
There’s plenty more coming as 2026 unfolds.
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing:
- deeper insights into equipment trends and what’s proving most effective in the field
- updated guidance on choosing the right PAT tester for 2026
- practical breakdowns of compliance changes as they emerge
- and a closer look at the most reliable, fit-for-purpose gear this year
The industry is becoming more professional, more accountable, and harder to shortcut - and we’ll keep unpacking what that means in practical terms.
Finally, a quick note to acknowledge the bushfires impacting parts of the country. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those working and living in regional and remote areas.
More soon.
