When must Queensland trade businesses test and tag tools?

Who can test and tag

Only a person appointed as competent by their employer can test and tag electrical equipment. Competence is based on knowledge and skills gained from training, experience, qualifications or a combination. Testing competence does not allow repairs: it is an offence under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 to repair electrical equipment without the appropriate electrical work licence.

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What counts as specified electrical equipment

WorkSafe refers to section 123 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2026, which defines specified electrical equipment as electrical equipment with a current rating of not more than 20 amps. It also includes cord extension sets and electrical portable outlet devices. For service or office work, it is limited to equipment moved during its normal use.

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Construction intervals WorkSafe lists

Construction work information is in AS/NZS 3012, and other work is in the regulation and, where applicable, AS/NZS 3760. The regulation takes precedence over AS/NZS 3760. These are the maximum intervals WorkSafe's table gives for construction work only.

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Other work, safety switches and hire gear differ

Manufacturing, office, rural, service and amusement work each have their own intervals, which depend on factors such as whether equipment is double insulated or a safety switch is fitted. Safety switches have a separate table, and hire companies have specific requirements for hire equipment. Check the regulation and WorkSafe's page for your type of work. Do not read the construction figures as an annual rule for all tools.

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Tags and failed equipment

After inspection and testing, a durable tag must show the test date and the next scheduled test and inspection date. WorkSafe says equipment that fails should be taken out of use immediately, with a durable tag attached warning people not to use it.

TEST AND TAG REGISTER LINE (our example)

Item and ID: [description, tag number]
Location or job: [site]
Type of work category: [construction / manufacturing / office / service / other]
Date tested: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Next test due: [DD/MM/YYYY, from the interval for your work type]
Tested by (competent person appointed by employer): [name]
Result: [pass / fail]
If failed: removed from use on [DD/MM/YYYY]; warning tag attached [yes]; repair referred to [licensed person]

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Common questions

What qualifications do I need to test and tag?

WorkSafe does not name one qualification. It says only a person appointed as competent by their employer can do it, with competence based on knowledge and skills from training, experience, qualifications or a combination. Repairs need the appropriate electrical work licence.[1]

What items require a test and tag?

WorkSafe refers to specified electrical equipment, meaning electrical equipment rated at not more than 20 amps, including cord extension sets and portable outlet devices. For service or office work it is limited to equipment moved during normal use. How often depends on the type of work.[1]