What Is Test & Tag? AS/NZS 3760 Explained for NSW Workplaces

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.

Under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025, Clause 150 requires a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (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.

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:

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 appliance class (I, II, or III), tests may include:

• Earth continuity resistance (Class I items with exposed metal parts)
• Insulation resistance (all classes)
• Earth leakage current (Class I items)
• Polarity checks where applicable (such as extension leads or powerboards)

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.

Testing Frequencies

The standard provides guidance on how often items should be retested based on their environment and usage. For example:

• Construction sites and harsh environments – often around 3 months
• Offices and low-risk settings – up to 5 years
• Schools, factories, and commercial premises – commonly around 12 months

Final intervals should be determined by the PCBU or competent person based on a risk assessment.

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 a structured process designed to inspect every portable item systematically. Liberty Test & Tag uses the following procedure:

Room-by-Room Labelling

Each area or room is assigned a unique label so equipment can be tracked and returned to the correct location.

Unplugging and Visual Inspection

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

Testing by Appliance Class

Items are tested according to their class using calibrated portable appliance testers (PAT testers). Class I items undergo earth continuity and insulation testing. Class II items are tested for insulation only.

Pass/Fail Tagging

Items that pass receive a dated green tag. Failed items are tagged red or removed from service immediately.

Lock-Out or Removal of Unsafe Items

Appliances that fail testing are taken out of circulation or clearly marked as unsafe. The PCBU is notified of the defect and the reason for failure.

Hazard Reporting

Any additional electrical hazards observed during the visit—such as damaged powerpoints, overloaded boards, or missing RCD protection—are documented and reported.

Digital Software-Generated Reports

All test data is captured digitally and compiled into a report. The report includes asset details, test results, defect notes, and photographic evidence where relevant.

Granular Defect Notes

When an item fails, the report specifies the fault (e.g., "earth continuity out of range" or "damaged insulation on cord"). This allows informed decisions about repair or replacement.

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

Failing to maintain documented evidence of electrical equipment testing can result in enforcement action, especially 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

Liberty also provides a summary of compliance and prosecutions relevant to NSW electrical safety.

Regular testing reduces the risk of electric shock, fire, and equipment failure. It also provides a defensible compliance position in the event of an audit or investigation.

For many businesses, Test & Tag is one component of a broader electrical safety strategy that includes RCD testing, switchboard maintenance, and emergency lighting checks.

Maintaining current records demonstrates that a PCBU has taken reasonable steps to manage electrical risk—a key element of the duty of care under work health and safety law.