What Is Test and Tag in Australia? A Complete Guide
Test and tag is the process of checking plug-in electrical equipment to help confirm that it is safe to use.
It involves two parts:
- Visual inspection: Checking the equipment, plug and flexible supply cord for damage, defects or signs of wear.
- Electrical testing: Using a portable appliance tester (PAT) to perform the appropriate safety tests.
Testing must be carried out by a competent person with the knowledge and skills required to inspect the equipment, use a PAT correctly and interpret the results.
Equipment that passes can be returned to service, with the test details recorded on a tag or in a testing record. Equipment that fails must be removed from use and clearly identified as unsafe.
AS/NZS 3760 provides the principal Australian and New Zealand guidance for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs. Workplace requirements can also vary depending on the equipment, operating environment, and laws that apply in each Australian state or territory.
Which Workplaces Need Testing and Tagging?
Testing and tagging requirements vary by workplace. They depend on the type of equipment, how and where it is used, and the laws that apply in each Australian state or territory.
Regular inspection and testing is particularly important in higher-risk environments where equipment is frequently moved or exposed to moisture, heat, dust, vibration, chemicals or physical damage. These can include:
- construction and demolition sites
- factories and workshops
- commercial cleaning
- equipment-hire businesses
- some mining, manufacturing and industrial workplaces
On construction and demolition sites, plug-in electrical equipment is generally inspected and tested every three months. Different test and tag colours may be used to make the current testing period easy to identify.
In many lower-risk workplaces, routine testing of every item may not be required by legislation. However, employers must still ensure that electrical equipment is safe to use and that damaged or unsafe equipment is removed from service.
Testing intervals can vary considerably, so always consider the equipment, operating environment, applicable state or territory requirements and the recommended test and tag intervals.
Electrical equipment supplied for hire is subject to additional inspection and testing requirements. See our guide to testing and tagging hire equipment.
Who Can Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?
You do not generally need to be a licensed electrician to carry out basic test and tag work. However, according to AS/NZS 3760:2022, the inspection and testing must be completed by a "competent person" who meets the requirements applicable in their state or territory.
A competent person must have the knowledge and practical skills needed to:
- visually inspect electrical equipment
- select and perform the appropriate tests
- use a portable appliance tester correctly
- interpret the results
- identify unsafe equipment
- recognise when work is outside their training or authority
Completing our nationally recognised Test & Tag Course is a practical way to develop and demonstrate this competency.
Your qualification does not expire, but you must maintain your knowledge and practical competency.
Note: Test and tag competency covers inspection and testing; it does not permit electrical installation or repair work.
Queensland has an additional requirement. Anyone offering test and tag services to others as a business must also hold the appropriate Restricted Electrical Contractor Licence.
What Types of Equipment Are Tested and Tagged?
Test and tag generally applies to plug-in electrical equipment connected to the electricity supply by a flexible cord and plug.
Common examples include:
- portable appliances such as kettles, toasters and microwaves
- power tools and cleaning equipment
- extension leads and detachable power leads
- power boards and electrical portable outlet devices
- portable residual current devices (RCDs).
Electrical equipment is commonly classified as:
- Class I: Earthed equipment that relies on a protective earth connection for safety, such as many kettles, irons and toasters.
- Class II: Double-insulated equipment that does not rely on a protective earth connection. It is usually identified by the double-square symbol and includes many power tools and hair dryers.
Not every electrical item is covered by the same testing process. Fixed electrical installations, electrical repair work and specialised equipment may require different testing procedures or an appropriately licensed or qualified person. Medical electrical equipment, for example, can be subject to separate requirements.
New electrical equipment does not normally require electrical testing before it is first put into service, provided it has been visually inspected and has no obvious damage.
How Often Should Appliances Be Tested and Tagged?
No single testing interval applies to every electrical appliance. How often equipment should be inspected and tested depends on:
- the type of equipment
- how often it is used and moved
- the environment in which it is used
- the likelihood of damage
- any applicable workplace, industry or state requirements
AS/NZS 3760:2022 provides recommended test and tag frequencies for different operating environments. For example, plug-in equipment used on construction and demolition sites is generally tested every three months, while equipment in many factories and workshops is commonly tested every six months. In lower-risk environments, longer intervals may apply.
Equipment may also require inspection and testing after a repair or service that could affect its electrical safety, when it has been purchased second-hand, or when there is no reliable record of previous testing.
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What Is a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT)?
A portable appliance tester, commonly called a PAT or PAT tester, is the instrument used to perform electrical safety tests on plug-in equipment.
Depending on the equipment and the tester being used, these tests can include:
- earth continuity
- insulation resistance
- polarity
- leakage current
The tester provides readings or a pass/fail result, but it does not decide which tests to perform. A competent person must visually inspect the equipment, select the appropriate test and correctly interpret the result.
A PAT does not replace visual inspection. Many damaged or unsafe items can be identified before electrical testing begins.
PAT testers range from basic pass/fail models to advanced units with data storage, automated testing, barcode scanning and tag printing. The best option depends on the type and volume of equipment you test and how you manage testing records.
See our practical guide on how to choose a PAT tester for the main features and compliance requirements to consider.
Common Test and Tag Terms
If you are new to testing and tagging, you may encounter the following terms:
- Calibration: The process of checking a PAT tester against known reference values to confirm that it continues to provide accurate results. PAT testers should be calibrated at the interval recommended by the manufacturer or calibration provider.
- Leakage current test: A test that measures unwanted electrical current flowing from an appliance. It is commonly used for equipment that cannot be adequately assessed using an insulation resistance test alone.
- Test tag: A durable label attached to tested equipment. Depending on the applicable requirements, it can record details such as the person who completed the test, the test date, the result and when the next test is due.
- Cord assembly: A flexible electrical lead with a plug or connector, including extension leads and detachable power leads.
- Electrical portable outlet device (EPOD): Equipment such as a power board that allows multiple appliances to be connected to one socket outlet.
- Residual current device (RCD): A safety device that quickly disconnects the electricity supply when it detects current leaking through an unintended path. RCDs are also commonly known as safety switches.
For more definitions, download our complete Test & Tag Glossary.
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