Common questions
Electrical safety FAQ
These answers summarise Queensland government guidance. A licensed electrician must assess an actual installation. For an immediate hazard, use emergency services or your electricity distributor.
Safety switches and switchboards
What does a safety switch do?
It monitors for leakage of electrical current and cuts power when that fault is detected. A safety switch only protects the circuits connected to it and must work correctly to help protect people.
Is a circuit breaker the same as a safety switch?
No. A circuit breaker primarily protects wiring and appliances; a safety switch protects people against electric shock. Some devices combine both functions, so ask a licensed electrician if the board labels are unclear.
How can I tell whether my switchboard has a safety switch?
Look for a switch with a button marked T or Test. That is a useful clue, but a licensed electrician can confirm which circuits it protects.
Does one safety switch cover the whole home?
Not necessarily. It protects only the circuit or circuits connected to it. The Electrical Safety Office recommends considering protection for all circuits, including lighting and fixed equipment.
Can I install a safety switch myself?
No. Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says a licensed electrician must install a safety switch; unlicensed DIY electrical work is dangerous and illegal.
Will a safety switch always prevent an electric shock?
No device is failsafe. It must be working and fitted to the affected circuit; electrical equipment still needs to be kept in safe condition.
Can I use the Test button on a safety switch?
Yes. Tell people in the home first because power will go off, press T or Test, and check that the connected circuit cuts out. If it does not trip, contact a licensed electrician.
What if my safety switch will not reset?
A fault may remain on the circuit. Do not keep forcing it or attempt wiring repairs; ask a licensed electrician to inspect and diagnose the problem.
How often should I test a safety switch?
The Electrical Safety Office recommends using its push-button test every three months. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and arrange professional help if it fails.
How can I find out which circuits need extra safety-switch protection?
A licensed electrician can identify the existing devices and the circuits they cover, then explain options. Do not infer whole-home coverage from a single switch.
Will adding solar always require a full switchboard upgrade?
No. A solar system needs its own appropriate isolators and may need additional circuit protection, but the Electrical Safety Office says a whole-board upgrade is not required in every case. A site assessment determines the scope.
Smoke alarms
Which type of smoke alarm meets Queensland's current requirements?
Compliant alarms are photoelectric, interconnected and meet AS 3786-2014. The required power supply and replacement choice depend on the dwelling and existing alarm arrangement.
When must an existing Queensland home have compliant smoke alarms?
Homes sold or leased have been subject to the upgraded rules since 2022. Remaining dwellings must have compliant interconnected photoelectric alarms by 1 January 2027, according to the Queensland Fire Department.
Where in the home do the smoke alarms need to go?
The rules cover each storey, every bedroom and the hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the dwelling. Placement also has distance and special-ceiling rules; check the Queensland Fire Department guidance for your layout.
Can a compliant smoke alarm still use a battery?
In an existing dwelling, a compliant alarm may use a non-removable 10-year battery. New construction and major renovations need hardwired alarms, and an existing hardwired alarm generally needs a hardwired replacement.
Must new wiring be run to interconnect smoke alarms?
Not always. Interconnection can be wired, wireless or a combination, provided activation of one sounds all required alarms. Fixed electrical wiring must be handled by a licensed electrician.
Does every smoke-alarm installation need an electrician?
No. A compliant non-removable battery alarm may be installed without electrical work. A 240-volt hardwired alarm must be connected by a licensed electrician.
Who makes a rental property's smoke alarms compliant?
The landlord is responsible for installing alarms that meet the law. Tenants and lessors have separate testing and cleaning responsibilities; confirm the current guidance for the tenancy stage.
Who tests and cleans smoke alarms during a tenancy?
The Queensland Fire Department says both lessor and tenant have responsibilities. The lessor tests before the tenancy starts; the tenant tests during the tenancy at least every 12 months.
Why replace a working ionisation smoke alarm?
The Queensland Fire Department explains that ionisation alarms may not give early enough warning of a smouldering fire. The upgraded legal standard requires photoelectric alarms.
What can cause a smoke alarm to sound when there is no fire?
Age, dirt, power fluctuations or incorrect installation can contribute. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and ask a licensed electrician to assess a hardwired alarm or wiring concern.