YOUR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
Everything Perth businesses need to know about test and tag - from legal requirements and testing intervals through to pricing, tag colours, and what to expect from a PTTS visit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TEST & TAG QUESTIONS FROM PERTH BUSINESSES
We’ve compiled answers to the questions we hear most often from businesses across Perth. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us on 08 6109 8591 and we’ll help you out directly.
THE BASICS
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Testing and tagging is the process of visually inspecting, electrically testing and labelling portable electrical equipment to confirm it is safe to use in the workplace.
At Perth Test and Tag Solutions, our certified technicians assess each item against Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2022, apply a colour-coded tag showing the test date and next due date, and record all results in a detailed digital compliance report. The process helps identify faulty or deteriorating equipment before it causes an electrical shock, fire or serious workplace injury.
PTTS offers a complete, outbound testing service - we come to you! We do not offer drop-off or pick-up testing. See our Partners page for drop-off options.
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Any portable electrical equipment that connects to a mains power outlet at your workplace needs to be tested and tagged. This typically includes:
Power tools and hand tools
Computers, monitors, and office equipment
Extention leads and power boards
Kitch appliances (kettles, microwaves, toasters, urns)
Cleaning equipment (vaccums, floor polishers)
Portable heaters, fans, and air conditioners
Audio-visual and event equipment
Our technicians will assess your specific workplace to identify all items that fall within the scope of AS/NZS 3760:2022 and require compliance tagging.
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Yes, test and tag is worth it for very small businesses because electrical risks exist regardless of company size. Even a single faulty appliance can create a safety hazard.
For small businesses in Perth, the cost is typically low due to fewer items, making it a simple and cost-effective way to improve safety and demonstrate compliance.
It also shows professionalism and responsibility, which can be important when dealing with clients, landlords, or insurers. Any business that falls within WHS Regulations 2022 must ensure electrical testing and tagging is completed.
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The most commonly missed items during test and tag are smaller or less obvious appliances, such as phone chargers, laptop power supplies, extension leads, power boards, and kitchen appliances like kettles or microwaves.
Personal devices brought in by employees are also frequently overlooked, even though they still pose a potential safety risk. In many Perth workplaces, these items account for a significant portion of failed tests due to wear and tear.
A thorough test and tag process should include all portable electrical equipment, not just major office devices.
Typically depending on agreements with clients, Perth Test and Tag Solutions will not enter personal draws, bags/laptop bags to retrieve items due to personal security. If cupboards or draws appear communal, then our technicians will check these for appliances. The boundaries & lengths of checking areas for appliances differs from client to client & discussed prior to works commencing to ensure we are all on the same page.
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Absolutely, Perth Test and Tag Solutions bundles electrical and fire compliance services including fire equipment checks, RCD compliance, and exit & emergency lighting testing into a single site visit. Bundling services can save time and reduce the need for multiple site visits.
For businesses in Perth, this approach can simplify compliance management by keeping all safety requirements handled in one place. It can also be more cost-effective compared to booking separate services.
Bundled services are especially useful for workplaces with broader safety obligations.
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Yes. test and tag is a legal requirement in Western Australia. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2022 (WA) and WHS Regulations 2022, all employers have a legal duty of care to ensure that electrical equipment in the workplace is safe for use.
Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2022 sets out the specific requirements for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Regular testing and tagging in accordance with this standard is the accepted method of demonstrating compliance with your WHS obligations.
Failure to comply can result in significant fines from WorkSafe WA, and - more critically - exposes your workers, clients and visitors to serious electrical hazards. It can also affect insurance coverage if an electrical incident occurs on an untagged or out-of-date item.
Not sure if your business is compliant? Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
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New equipment does not require electrical testing before its first use. However, it does still require a visual inspection and a ‘new to service’ tag applied before being put into service, in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2022.
This confirms the item has been visually checked, is free from visible damage, and is safe to being using. From that point, the normal testing interval applies based on the environment in which the equipment will be used
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Yes, after every PTTS visit you receive a detailed digital compliance report listing every item testing, its individual pass or fail result, the next test due date and the attending technician’s details. You also receive a Certificate of Compliance.
We recommend retaining these records for the working life of the equipment. They are essential for:
WorkSafe WA audits and inspections
Insurance documentation and claims
Internal workplace risk assessments
Demonstrating due diligence as an employer
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Any item that fails a test and tag inspection must be immediately removed from service and clearly labelled as unsafe, in accordance with WHS Regulation 2022. The item should then be repaired by a qualified technician or replaced.
Common Fails within appliance testing include faults such as damaged or cut leads/cordsets, insulation faults & plug top faults or manipulations. Keeping failed items in use or not clearly labelling an appliance can expose your business to serious risks, including electric shock hazards, fire risk, and potential breaches of workplace safety obligations. There is array of potential issues that this can create that include WHS regulation breaches, insurance exclusions & negligence related proceedings.
If Perth Test and Tag Solutions fail one of your appliances, our technicians by law cannot plug the appliance back and must clearly label the asset out of service. In addition, will also log failed asset in a PDF report, helping you track fails, repairs and demonstrate that you’ve taken corrective action. Our technicians will not remove appliances from site, dispose, cut leads or alter any failed appliances without consent from the respective owner or person responsible.
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You can perform test and tag yourself in WA if you are considered a “competent person,” which up until 2022 was open to a world of interpretation. In 2022 the WHS regulations were updated which included a clear definition for “competent person”. Under page 10 R.5 Definitions a competent person is defined as “ For inspection and testing of electrical equipment — means a person who has satisfactorily completed a competency-assessed training course on testing and tagging using the pass-fail type of electrical instrument known as a portable appliance tester;”. This definition sets the minimum requirement for a competent person, the Australian standard for “portable appliance testing” is ASNZS 3760 which means that a person must complete competency assessed training to ASNZS 3760.
Being competent isn’t just about owning a tester - it also involves understanding risk categories, inspection procedures, and compliance requirements.
In practice, most Perth businesses choose a professional service because it ensures accuracy, proper documentation, and adherence to Australian Standards. Professionals also carry calibrated equipment and can identify issues that untrained staff may miss. Outsourcing reduces liability and saves time, especially for businesses with multiple appliances or higher-risk environments.
Perth Test and Tag Solutions handle the entire process, from testing, tagging to the reporting , so you don’t have to worry about compliance gaps, incorrect procedures or missing records.
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Yes, businesses in Western Australia must keep detailed records of all test and tag activities, including test dates, results, equipment IDs and failed items.
Maintaining records helps demonstrate that your business is taking reasonable steps to meet workplace safety obligations. They can also be important during audits, insurance claims, or safety inspections.
PTTS provides clear digital reports, making it easy to track testing history, schedule future tests, and show proof of compliance if required.
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There is no single fixed penalty for not conducting test and tag in WA, but businesses are required to maintain a safe working environment under the WHS Act 2022, and breaches can result in fines, enforcement notices, and legal action.
The biggest risk comes if an electrical incident occurs and it’s found that proper safety measures weren’t in place. In that case, penalties can be significant, especially if negligence is involved.
Regular testing helps demonstrate that your business is taking reasonable steps to meet its obligations.
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Perth office spaces fail between 0.95% and 1.56% of items on initial inspection, based on PTTS internal data, with the most common failures involving extension leads, damaged cables and ageing appliances. This percentage only relates to offices. While common issues are minor, they still pose safety risks if left unaddressed. Our technicians do find quite dangerous faults with appliances even in office spaces. Regular test and tag services help identify these problems early and keep your workplace compliant over time.
Once a system is in place, failure rates usually decrease significantly with ongoing maintenance.
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE
TESTING INTERVALS
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Testing intervals are set by AS/NZS 3760:2022 Table 2.4 and depend of the environment in which the equipment operates. As a general guide:
3 months - Building, construction and demolition sites
6 months - Factories, workshops, and production environments
12 months - Environments where cords are subject to regular flexing or risk of physical damage.
5 years (60 months) - Low risk environments where cords are stationary and rarely moved
Fire equipment is generally inspected every 6 months or as specified in the relevant Australian Standard.
Environmental factors including heat, moisture, dust and vibration can affect electrical equipment and may require more frequent testing. Our technicians assess your site during each visit and confirm the correct interval based on your specific environment and equipment.
These intervals are set by Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2022 - not by PTTS. We simply ensure your business meets the requirements that apply to your environment.
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Yes, AS/NZS 3760:2022 allows a tolerance of up to two weeks beyond a tag’s due date.
That said, we always recommend scheduling your next test before the due date rather than relying on the grace period. A WorkSafe inspection or an insurance assessment won’t always be sympathetic to a tag that’s overdue - even within the tolerance window. Getting ahead of your compliance schedule is the safest approach.
PTTS offers an optional reminder service to help you stay on top of upcoming test dates without having to track them yourself.
OUR PROCESS
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Yes, equipment must be switched off and unplugged from the power outlet before our technician can test it. The item is then connected to a calibrated portable appliance tester, which runs a series of electrical tests including:
Earth continuity test
Insulation resistance test
Leakage current test
Polarity check
We understand that downtime has a real cost. That’s why we work closely with our clients to schedule testing at times that minimise disruption, including before-hours, after hours and weekend appointments. Just let us know what works for your operation and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
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Yes, Perth Test and Tag Solutions offer flexible scheduling including early morning starts before business opens, after-hour visits once operations have finished and weekend appointments for businesses that cannot afford midweek downtime.
When you request a quote, simply let us know your preferred scheduling requirements and we’ll confirm what’s available.
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A full test and tag service for a small office in Perth typically takes between one and three hours, depending on the number of electrical items and how accessible they are. As a general guide, based on free and easy access, our technicians can test between to 180 – 240* appliances/assets per day in a straightforward office type setup.
Factors that affect timing include the number of appliances, extensions leads, power boards, and hard-to-reach equipment, cable management setups, detachable lead types as well as whether detailed reporting or asset tracking is required. If equipment is spread across multiple rooms or floors, this can also add time.
PTTS technicians work efficiently in sections, allowing staff to continue working with minimal interruption.
*There are multiple factors that influence this estimate both increasing or decreasing the number of appliances tested per day. This figure provided is for estimating purposes only and does vary.
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In most cases, test and tag causes minimal disruption because each item is only briefly disconnected during its individual test. PTTS offers early morning, after-hours and weekend scheduling to avoid interrupting operations entirely. For larger workplaces, test and tag can be done in zones to ensure business continuity throughout the process.
Planning ahead - such as grouping equipment and notifying staff - can further reduce any impact.
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Make all electrical equipment is accessible and ready for testing before the technician arrives. This can include advising staff to bring work from home items, identifying equipment across different areas, removing equipment from cabinets & lockers.
It’s also helpful to inform staff in advance so they know testing will take place and can prepare their workstations. Highlighting high-use or high-risk equipment ensures nothing important is missed.
Good preparation speeds up the process and helps ensure a thorough and efficient service.
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A qualified test and tag provider in Perth will hold recognised training to AS/NZS 3760, use properly calibrated testing equipment, carry public liability insurance and provide clear digital compliance reports with pass/fail results and asset tracking after every job.
When choosing a local provider like Perth Test and Tag Solutions, it’s also important they understand Western Australia–specific workplace requirements. This means they can advise you on correct testing intervals based on your industry - whether you’re running an office, warehouse, or construction site.
They should also be able to walk you through their process in plain English - not just perform the test. If they can confidently explain what they’re doing, why it matters, and how it keeps your business compliant in WA, that’s a strong sign you’re dealing with a professional.
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Test and tag focuses on portable electrical appliances, such as power tools, office equipment, and extension leads. It involves both visual inspection and electrical testing to ensure the item is safe to use.
Electrical inspections, on the other hand, relate to fixed wiring, switchboards, and installed systems within a building. These inspections are typically carried out by licenced electricians.
Both processes are important for workplace safety, but they cover different types of electrical risks and are usually performed separately.
Perth Test and Tag Solutions specialise in portable appliance testing & RCD testing helping businesses manage this key part of their electrical safety obligations alongside other compliance measures.
QUALIFICATIONS & STANDARDS
TAG COLOURS
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In WA, tag colours are regulated for the construction, demolition and mining industries, where a quarterly colour rotation applies.
RED - December, January, February
GREEN - March, April, May
BLUE - June, July, August
YELLOW - September, October, November
For all other industries, tag colours are not regulated - however using consistent colours across different testing intervals is good practice.
For construction sites, the tag colour identifies the quarter in which the test was conducted. Tags are valid for 3 months from the test date, regardless of which quarter they run into. You will commonly see the previous quarter's colour still present on items at the start of a new period - as long as they are within the 3-month window, they remain valid.
For workplaces with equipment on different testing intervals (e.g. 6-month workshop items and 12-month office items), using different tag colours is a useful way to quickly identify when each item is next due.
Want to learn more? Visit our full page on test and tag colours in WA →
PRICING
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Test and tag pricing at Perth Test and Tag Solutions is based on the number of appliances, environment type, and services required, structured across three packages: Small Business (1 to 100 appliances), Medium Business (100 to 750 appliances), and Large or Project (750+ appliances or specialised requirements). All packages include on-site testing, a digital asset report, a Certificate of Conformance, and an optional reminder service. A free, no-obligation quote is provided before any work is carried out.
View our full pricing breakdown on our Test and Tag Pricing page →
INSURANCE & RISK
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Yes, regular test and tag can help reduce insurance risk by showing that your business is actively managing electrical safety. Insurers often look at whether reasonable precautions were taken when assessing claims.
Having up-to-date testing records can support your case if an incident occurs, particularly if it involves electrical equipment. While test and tag doesn’t eliminate risk entirely, it demonstrates due diligence and can help protect your business from liability.
It also reduces the likelihood of preventable incidents, such as electrical faults or fires.
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Perth Test and Tag Solutions services businesses across offices and corporate environments, retail and shopping centres, cafes and restaurants, hotels and motels, medical and allied health, veterinary clinics, childcare and education, gyms and fitness studios, hair and beauty salons, warehouses and industrial premises, construction sites, mining and resources, events and functions, and schools and universities. Testing approaches are tailored to the specific requirements of each environment across the Perth metropolitan area.
Offices & corporate
Retail & shopping centres
Cafes & restaurants
Hotels & motels
Medical & allied health
Veterinary clinics
Childcare & education
Gyms & fitness studios
Hair & beauty salons
Warehouse & industrial
Construction sites
Mining & resources
Events & functions
Schools & universities
Not sure if your industry is covered? Contact us if you’re in Perth and you have electrical equipment, we can almost certainly help!
INDUSTRIES WE SERVICE
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
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