Test and Tag Regulations WA

Understanding AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS 3012 in WA

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

• AS/NZS 3760:2022 provides guidance for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs in workplaces.
• AS/NZS 3012:2010 applies specifically to electrical installations and equipment used for construction and demolition work.

WA's Work Health and Safety Regulations require businesses carrying out construction work to comply with AS/NZS 3012:2010.

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

Is Test and Tag Legally Required in WA?

WA businesses and persons conducting a business or undertaking must manage electrical risks at their workplaces.

Under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022, socket-connected electrical equipment must be regularly inspected and tested by a competent person when it is used in conditions likely to cause damage or reduce its expected life.

These conditions can include exposure to:

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

Construction work is subject to additional requirements under AS/NZS 3012.

Testing may not be prescribed for every item in every workplace. The need for testing and the appropriate interval should be determined according to the equipment, operating environment, applicable standards and workplace risk assessment.

Who Can Test and Tag in WA?

In WA, inspection and testing must be performed by a competent person.

For testing and tagging, a competent person is someone who has satisfactorily completed a competency-assessed training course covering the use of a portable appliance tester.

Our nationally recognised Test & Tag Course leads to a Statement of Attainment for: UEESS00174 – Electrical Safety Testing of Electrical Cord Connected Equipment and Cord Assemblies Skill Set.

This Skill Set comprises:

• UEECD0007 – Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
• UEERL0003 – Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord-connected equipment and cord assemblies

The course develops the practical skills required to visually inspect equipment, use a PAT, interpret results, apply test tags and maintain testing records.

Testing and tagging competency does not authorise electrical installation, repair or modification work.

View WA Dates & Locations

Test and Tag Colours in WA

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 WA workplaces are not necessarily required to use this quarterly system. However, an employer, principal contractor 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 WA

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

The following intervals provide a general guide:

• Building, construction and demolition work: 3 months
• Factories, workshops, warehouses and production environments: 6 months
• Sites where equipment or supply cords are prone to flexing or damage: 12 months
• Environments where equipment and supply cords are not prone to flexing or damage: Up to 5 years

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

Some employers test more frequently because of the equipment they use or the conditions in which it operates.

See our complete test and tag intervals guide.

Testing Records and Unsafe Equipment

WA testing records 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 electronically, in a testing log or as a tag attached to the equipment. It must be retained until the equipment is tested again, permanently removed from the workplace or disposed of.

Equipment found to be unsafe must be disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply. It must not be returned to use until it has been repaired or tested and found to be safe.