How often does electrical equipment need to be tested?

Testing intervals depend on the environment. Construction sites require testing every 3 months, hostile environments every 6 months, and office environments every 5 years. A risk assessment may require more frequent testing.

Who is required to comply with AS/NZS 3760?

All businesses and employers in Victoria are required to comply under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and associated regulations. This includes any workplace that uses electrical equipment.

What happens if I fail to comply?

Non-compliance can result in fines of up to $150,000 for individuals and $1,500,000 for businesses per breach under Victorian WHS legislation, as well as potential prosecution if an incident occurs.

Do I need to keep records of testing?

Yes. AS/NZS 3760 requires records to be kept for a minimum of 5 years. Records must include the equipment details, test results, test date, and the next due date.

Australian Standard

AS/NZS 3760 Compliance

Q: What is AS/NZS 3760?

AS/NZS 3760 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. It sets out the requirements for testing intervals, the tests to be performed, and record keeping obligations.

Everything you need to know about the Australian standard for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

What is AS/NZS 3760?Testing Intervals Tests Performed Tags & Records Penalties FAQ

What is AS/NZS 3760?

AS/NZS 3760 is the Australian and New Zealand standard that governs the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. It sets out the requirements for testing intervals, inspection procedures, pass/fail criteria, and record-keeping obligations for workplaces across Australia. Compliance with this standard is mandatory under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation in most Australian states and territories, including Victoria.

What Equipment Does It Cover?

The standard applies to all electrical equipment that is connected to a low-voltage supply (up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC) and used in a workplace. This includes portable appliances, power tools, extension leads, RCDs, and fixed equipment that can be disconnected for testing.

Portable appliances (kettles, toasters, fans, computers)

Power tools (drills, grinders, sanders)

Extension leads and power boards

Residual Current Devices (RCDs / safety switches)

Microwave ovens (including leakage testing)

IT equipment, monitors, and AV gear

Cleaning equipment and appliances

Catering and hospitality equipment

Testing Intervals

How often equipment must be tested depends on the environment it is used in and the type of equipment. The table below summarises the recommended maximum intervals from AS/NZS 3760.

Environment	Appliances	Extension Leads	RCDs
Construction, demolition & mining	3 months	3 months	1 month (daily trip test)
Factories, workshops & manufacturing	6 months	6 months	6 months
Offices, retail & commercial	12 months	12 months	12 months
Hire equipment	Before each hire	Before each hire	Before each hire
Hotels, motels & accommodation	2 years	12 months	12 months
Schools, universities & education	12 months	12 months	12 months

* Intervals are maximum recommended periods. More frequent testing may be required based on risk assessment.

What Tests Are Performed?

Visual Inspection

A thorough visual check of the appliance, cord, plug, and any connectors for damage, signs of overheating, incorrect repairs, or non-compliant modifications.

Earth Continuity Test

Verifies that the earth conductor provides a continuous low-resistance path from the plug earth pin to all earthed metal parts of the appliance. Resistance must not exceed 1 ohm.

Insulation Resistance Test

Measures the resistance between live conductors and earth to ensure the insulation is intact and not degraded. A minimum of 1 MΩ is required for most equipment.

Polarity Check

Confirms that the active and neutral conductors are correctly connected and have not been reversed, which could create a shock hazard.

RCD Trip Time Test

Tests that residual current devices operate within the required trip time (typically ≤300ms at rated current) to protect against electric shock.

Microwave Leakage Test

Measures microwave radiation leakage from oven door seals and body. Emission must not exceed 5 mW/cm² at 5 cm from the surface as per AS/NZS 3760 and IEC 60335-2-25.

Tags & Record Keeping

After testing, every item that passes must be fitted with a durable tag showing the test date, next due date, and the tester's identifier. Items that fail must be tagged out of service and removed from use immediately. Records of all tests — including equipment description, serial number, test results, and tester details — must be retained for the life of the equipment or a minimum of 5 years.

PASS

Green Tag — Pass

Equipment is safe for use. Shows test date and next due date.

FAIL

Red Tag — Fail / Out of Service

Do not use. Must be repaired and retested before returning to service.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Vic) and equivalent state legislation, failure to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition can result in significant penalties. Individuals can face fines of up to $150,000 and businesses up to $1.5 million per breach. In the event of a workplace injury or fatality caused by non-compliant electrical equipment, penalties are substantially higher and may include criminal prosecution.

$150,000

Maximum fine per individual per breach

$1,500,000

Maximum fine per business per breach

Frequently Asked Questions

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