Testing & Tagging MELBOURNE
Your local experts in Testing & Tagging
Testing and tagging is a legal requirement for commercial workplaces in Victoria — not an optional extra. Under AS/NZS 3760 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), employers are required to ensure all portable electrical appliances in the workplace are tested at regular intervals and the results recorded. Non-compliance exposes your business to WorkSafe penalties, insurance voidance, and — most critically — preventable electrical injury.
We carry out testing and tagging for Melbourne businesses of all sizes, across all industries — on-site, with minimal disruption to your operation, and a full compliance report issued on the day. We’re based in Melbourne’s Western suburbs and service commercial premises right across the city.
What is testing and tagging, and what does it involve?
Testing and tagging (formally known as portable appliance testing) is the process of inspecting and electrically testing portable appliances in a commercial workplace to confirm they are safe to use. Each appliance that passes is tagged with a durable label showing the test date, the next due date, the result, and the name of the licensed tester.
The testing process covers a visual inspection of the appliance, its cord, and its plug — followed by electrical tests using calibrated test equipment. Tests typically include earth continuity, insulation resistance, and where applicable, polarity and leakage current. Any appliance that fails is tagged as failed and removed from service until repaired or replaced.
How often does testing and tagging need to happen in Victoria?
The required testing interval under AS/NZS 3760 depends on the type of environment in which the appliances are used. The table below outlines the standard intervals for common commercial environments. If you’re unsure which interval applies to your premises, call us on 03 4250 9530 — we’ll advise based on your specific workplace and equipment.
Environment type |
Interval |
Typical premises |
| Hostile / construction | 3 months | Construction sites, demolition, mining, steel fabrication, outdoor worksites |
| Factory / industrial | 6 months | Manufacturing, light industrial, warehouses, food processing |
| Commercial — high use | 12 months | Hospitality, retail, childcare, healthcare, high-traffic commercial premises |
| Commercial — standard | 12 months | Offices, professional services, education, standard commercial workplaces |
| Hire equipment | Before each hire | All equipment hired to third parties regardless of environment |
Testing and tagging for Melbourne businesses across all industries.
Every commercial workplace in Victoria with portable electrical appliances has a testing and tagging obligation — the industry you’re in determines the testing interval, not whether it applies. We carry out testing and tagging for businesses across all commercial sectors in Melbourne.
Our regular testing and tagging clients include offices and professional services firms, retail and hospitality venues, childcare centres and schools, medical and allied health practices, light industrial and manufacturing facilities, warehouses and logistics operations, construction sites, and hire equipment operators. We work with single-site small businesses and multi-site operations alike — one test run or an ongoing compliance schedule.
Why staying on top of testing and tagging protects your business:
- WorkSafe compliance — tested and tagged appliances with current records satisfy WorkSafe Victoria inspection requirements; non-compliance can result in improvement notices and fines.
- Insurance validity — most business insurance policies require electrical safety compliance; an incident involving an untagged appliance can void your coverage.
- Staff safety — regular testing identifies faulty appliances before they cause injury; electrical faults in portable equipment are a leading cause of workplace fires.
- Legal duty of care — under the OHS Act 2004 (Vic), employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe workplace; compliant appliance testing is part of meeting that obligation.
- Documented records — a full compliance report after every test run gives you audit-ready documentation; know exactly what was tested, when, and the result.
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Testing & Tagging FAQ
Your Testing & Tagging questions answered.
Is testing and tagging a legal requirement in Victoria?
Yes. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) and the associated regulations, employers have a legal duty to ensure electrical equipment in the workplace is safe. The Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 sets out the testing and inspection requirements for portable electrical appliances. WorkSafe Victoria expects employers to comply and can issue improvement notices and fines for non-compliance.
Who is legally allowed to carry out testing and tagging in Victoria?
In Victoria, testing and tagging must be carried out by a licensed electrician. Unlike some other states, Victoria requires a current Electrical Worker Licence to perform portable appliance testing — it cannot be carried out by a general safety officer or an unlicensed person. Rincon Electrical carries out all testing with licensed electricians.
How often does testing and tagging need to happen?
The required interval under AS/NZS 3760 depends on your environment. Construction and hostile environments require testing every 3 months. Industrial and manufacturing environments require testing every 6 months. Standard commercial offices and most retail and hospitality premises require testing every 12 months. Hire equipment must be tested before each hire. We advise on the correct interval for your specific premises when you enquire.
What appliances need to be tested and tagged?
Any portable electrical appliance connected to the mains via a flexible cord — including power boards, extension leads, computers, monitors, printers, kitchen appliances, portable tools, fans, heaters, and any other plug-in equipment used in the workplace. Fixed equipment wired directly into the wall does not fall under portable appliance testing requirements.
Do I receive documentation after testing and tagging?
Yes. A full itemised compliance report is issued on the day of testing — listing every appliance tested, the test result, the test date, and the next due date. This report is your audit-ready compliance record for WorkSafe, your insurer, and your building manager. We issue it digitally so it’s in your inbox before we’ve left the premises.
Can you set up a recurring testing schedule for our business?
Yes. For businesses with ongoing testing obligations, we offer a compliance scheduling service — we contact you when your next test run is due, book a convenient time, and carry out the testing before your compliance lapses. This is particularly useful for businesses in high-frequency testing environments such as hospitality, childcare, or construction.
Does testing and tagging cover fixed electrical equipment?
No. Testing and tagging under AS/NZS 3760 covers portable electrical appliances — equipment connected via a flexible cord and plug. Fixed electrical equipment wired directly into the building’s circuits (switchboards, hardwired air conditioning, fixed lighting) is covered under separate electrical inspection requirements, not portable appliance testing. We carry out both types of inspection — contact us if you need both.







