What Is Test & Tag? NSW Guide to AS/NZS 3760 Requirements

Test & Tag is a process used to check whether portable electrical equipment is safe to use. It involves four steps:

• Visual inspection – checking for damage to plugs, cords, and the appliance itself
• Electrical testing – using calibrated equipment to measure insulation resistance, earth continuity, and leakage current
• Tagging – attaching a durable label showing test date, next test due, and tester details
• Record keeping – documenting results in an asset register or compliance report

The process applies to portable items like computers, kettles, power tools, printers, and extension leads—not fixed wiring or switchboards.

In NSW, Test and Tag requirements sit within a hierarchy of laws, codes and standards rather than a single standalone rule. The chain runs as follows:

• WHS Act section 26A – requires a PCBU to comply with an approved Code of Practice relevant to the hazards and risks associated with the work, or use another method that provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety.
• Approved Code of Practice – practical guidance on how the duty applies to managing electrical risks in the workplace
• WHS Regulation – the specific legal obligations, including Clause 150, which requires electrical equipment to be electrically safe and inspected and tested as necessary to manage risk
• AS/NZS 3760 – the recognised testing methodology and in-service inspection and testing framework used to meet those obligations

Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025, Clause 150 requires a PCBU to ensure electrical equipment is electrically safe and inspected and tested as necessary to manage risk.

The regulation does not prescribe a single method. However, AS/NZS 3760 is the recognised Australian/New Zealand Standard for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Following this standard provides a documented and widely recognised method of demonstrating that the legal duty has been met.

For a complete breakdown of what NSW law requires — including penalties, enforcement, and practical compliance steps — read our detailed guide: Is test and tag a legal requirement in NSW?

PCBUs must also maintain evidence that inspection and testing has been carried out. This includes dates, outcomes, and the identity of the person who performed the work.

AS/NZS 3760:2022 sets out the technical requirements for inspecting and testing portable electrical equipment. The standard specifies the methods, test limits, and documentation expected for in-service electrical equipment across a range of workplace environments.

Visual Inspection

Every item must be checked for physical damage, exposed conductors, broken strain relief, cracked plugs, or signs of overheating before any testing is done.

Electrical Testing

Depending on the equipment design and testing method, electrical testing may include insulation resistance, earth continuity, leakage current, and polarity checks where applicable.

Tagging

Each tested item receives a durable tag showing the test date, next test due date, and the tester's details. Tags must remain legible and attached throughout the test period.

How Often Does Electrical Equipment Need to Be Tested and Tagged in NSW?

There is no single NSW interval for every workplace. The appropriate interval depends on the environment, the equipment and the level of risk associated with its use. Intervals set out in AS/NZS 3760 are maximum indicative intervals rather than fixed rules, AS/NZS 3012 applies specific requirements on construction sites, and the final decision must be supported by a risk assessment. In practice, this means hostile or construction environments are tested far more frequently than low-risk office equipment.

For the full breakdown of indicative intervals by environment and how risk assessment shapes them, see our complete guide to Test & Tag intervals in NSW.

Record Keeping

Every test must be recorded. Records should include appliance details, test results, pass or fail status, and any defects identified.

A typical Test & Tag visit follows four steps, applied systematically to every portable item:

1. Inspect

Every item is unplugged and visually inspected for damage. Faulty cords, cracked plugs, or exposed wires are documented before testing begins.

2. Test

Items are tested using calibrated portable appliance testers (PAT testers) according to their electrical classification. Depending on the equipment type, this may include earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage current, and polarity testing.

3. Tag

Items that pass receive a dated tag showing the test date and next test due. Failed items are clearly identified as unsafe and removed from service.

4. Record and Report

All test data is captured digitally and compiled into a report, including asset details, pass/fail status, defect notes, and photographic evidence where relevant. Unsafe items and observed hazards are reported to the PCBU.

See how Liberty performs workplace Test & Tag

A Test and Tag register is the record of electrical equipment inspected and tested within a workplace. It provides an asset-by-asset history of testing and typically records the equipment identification, location, test date, results, pass/fail status and any defects identified.

Proper documentation is central to compliance. Records should be sufficient to demonstrate that testing has been carried out in accordance with the standard and that unsafe items have been removed from service. A compliant Test & Tag system will maintain:

• Asset register – a list of all portable equipment, including make, model, serial number, and location
• Test history – dates of all previous inspections and outcomes
• Detailed reports – pass/fail status, measured values, and defect descriptions
• Audit trail – evidence suitable for SafeWork inspectors, insurers, or organisations operating under ISO or formal compliance systems

Digital reporting systems allow businesses to store, search, and retrieve records efficiently. This is particularly important for workplaces with multiple sites or large equipment inventories.

SafeWork NSW is responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety laws, including electrical safety requirements.

Inspectors may issue:

• Improvement notices – requiring specific actions within a set timeframe
• Prohibition notices – stopping work or use of equipment until a hazard is resolved
• Penalties – fines or prosecution for serious breaches

Failure to adequately manage electrical risks or maintain appropriate evidence of inspection and testing may contribute to enforcement action, particularly following an incident or complaint.

More information on compliance and enforcement, including improvement, prohibition and penalty notices, is available on the SafeWork NSW website: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/compliance-and-prosecutions/improvement,-prohibition-and-penalty-notices

For detailed information on compliance and enforcement outcomes, including improvement, prohibition and penalty notices, visit the NSW electrical safety compliance and prosecutions resource.