Test and Tag Regulations in SA

Is Test and Tag Legally Required in SA?

Under South Australia's Work Health and Safety Regulations, businesses and other PCBUs must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person when the equipment is:

• Supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet
• Used in conditions likely to cause damage or reduce its expected life

These conditions are commonly described as a hostile operating environment and can involve exposure to:

• Moisture
• Heat
• Vibration
• Mechanical damage
• Corrosive chemicals
• Dust

Examples include construction sites, manufacturing and workshop environments, commercial kitchens, outdoor workplaces and other areas where electrical equipment may be exposed to increased wear or damage.

Testing may not be prescribed for every item in every workplace. The need for testing should be determined according to the equipment, work environment, applicable standards, manufacturer's recommendations and workplace risk assessment.

For current regulatory information, refer to SafeWork SA's inspection and testing guidance.

Who Can Test and Tag in SA?

Inspection and testing must be performed by a competent person.

In South Australia, a competent person is someone who has acquired through training, qualifications or experience—or a combination of these—the knowledge and skills needed to perform the task correctly.

A competent person may be:

• A licensed electrical worker who is competent in electrical inspection and testing
• Someone who has successfully completed suitable training and been assessed as competent in visually inspecting electrical equipment and using a portable appliance tester

Completing a nationally recognised Test & Tag Course is a practical way to develop and demonstrate the required knowledge and skills.

The course develops competency in visually inspecting equipment, selecting and performing the required tests, using a PAT, interpreting results, applying tags and maintaining testing information.

You do not need to be a licensed electrician to perform basic test and tag work. However, testing and tagging competency does not permit electrical installation, repair or modification work.

View SA Dates & Locations

AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS 3012 in South Australia

Two Australian Standards are particularly relevant to testing and tagging in SA:

• AS/NZS 3760:2022 provides guidance for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs.
• AS/NZS 3012 applies specifically to electrical installations and equipment used for construction and demolition work.

South Australia's WHS Regulations establish when inspection and testing is required. The Australian Standards provide additional guidance on inspection methods, testing procedures, intervals, tagging and record-keeping.

AS/NZS 3760 was updated in 2022, introducing changes to definitions, inspection procedures, documentation and the types of equipment covered.

For industry-specific information, see our test and tag requirements for construction.

Test and Tag Colours in South Australia

Electrical equipment used for construction and demolition work follows a quarterly colour-coded tagging system under AS/NZS 3012.

The colour indicates the period in which the equipment was tested:

• Red: December to February
• Green: March to May
• Blue: June to August
• Yellow: September to November

The colours rotate every three months, making it easier to identify equipment that may be overdue for testing.

Other South Australian workplaces are not necessarily required to use this quarterly system. However, an employer, principal contractor, industry or individual site may establish its own colour-coding requirements.

Learn more in our complete test and tag colour guide.

Test and Tag Frequencies in SA

Testing intervals depend primarily on the conditions in which electrical equipment is used and how likely the equipment or its supply cord is to be damaged.

The following intervals provide a general guide:

• Construction and demolition—portable electrical equipment: 3 months
• Construction and demolition—transportable structures, fixed and transportable equipment and construction wiring: 6 months
• Manufacturing and workshop environments: Generally 6 months
• Commercial cleaning equipment: Generally 6 months
• Other hostile operating environments: Generally 12 months
• Environments where equipment and supply cords are not prone to flexing or damage: Up to 5 years
• Hire equipment: Inspected before each hire and tested and tagged every 3 months

These intervals should be considered alongside the applicable regulation and standard, manufacturer's instructions, workplace risk assessment and any site-specific safety requirements.

More frequent testing may be needed where equipment is exposed to increased wear, damage or electrical deterioration. RCDs also have separate inspection and testing intervals.

See our complete test and tag intervals guide.

Testing Records and Unsafe Equipment

A record of electrical equipment testing must include:

• The name of the person who performed the test
• The date of testing
• The testing outcome
• The date the next test must be completed

The record may be kept as a tag attached to the equipment, in a logbook or register, or in a computerised database.

Records must be retained until the equipment is tested again, permanently removed from the workplace or disposed of.

If equipment is found to be unsafe, it must be disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply and clearly identified as unsafe. It must not be returned to use until it has been repaired or tested and found to be safe.

New electrical equipment generally does not require testing before first use, but it must be inspected for obvious damage. New equipment used for construction work must be tagged to indicate when its first test is due.