In Victoria, electrical safety checks are still required every two years for rental properties, and they must be carried out by a licensed electrician in line with AS/NZS 3019:2022 (Periodic assessment).
Landlords also need modern switchboard protection (RCDs with compliant circuit breakers), proper records, and clear evidence of what was tested. What’s changed in 2025 is the focus: regulators and industry bodies are pushing for better quality control and documentation, not quick ‘tick-and-flick’ visits.
What rules are actually required
- Frequency: A full electrical safety check at least every two years for rental premises. Keep the date on file and share it with renters on request.
- Who can do it: A licensed/registered electrician working for a Registered Electrical Contractor. DIY or non-electrical ‘inspectors’ are not acceptable.
- How it must be done: The check must follow AS/NZS 3019:2022, not just a quick look at a switchboard. The standard sets out visual inspections and specific tests (RCD operation, polarity, insulation resistance, earth loop, etc.), with a written report.
- Switchboard safety: Since 29 March 2023, Victorian rentals must have circuit breakers and RCDs on all power outlets and circuits. If your board still has rewireable fuses or missing RCDs, upgrades are part of getting compliant.
What’s new in 2026: quality, not shortcuts
Industry groups and media attention have highlighted rushed checks that miss critical defects. Expect more scrutiny of reports, and more emphasis on evidence-based testing that actually proves safety devices work. If your ‘check’ took 15 minutes and produced no measurements, it probably isn’t defensible.
There are also broader housing and building changes landing in October 2025. While the rental energy-efficiency reforms mainly address insulation and heating/cooling standards, they’re pushing owners to plan upgrades in a coordinated way, switchboard capacity, safe circuits, then efficient appliances. Electrical checks are the backbone of that plan.
What a real electrical safety check includes
| Area | What we look for | What we test |
|---|---|---|
| Switchboard | Damaged enclosures, labelling, MEN link, earthing | RCD trip tests, fault loop impedance, breaker ratings vs cable size |
| Wiring & outlets | Heat damage, cracked plates, loose terminations | Polarity, insulation resistance, earth continuity |
| Wet areas | IP ratings, distances from water sources | RCD operation on circuits serving bathrooms/laundries |
| Fixed equipment | Ovens, cooktops, fans, hard-wired heaters | Functional checks, isolation points, wiring integrity |
| Outbuildings | Garage/shed submains, earthing, bonding | Loop and insulation tests back to the main board |
All of this is mapped to AS/NZS 3019:2022 and recorded in a report you can keep with your tenancy documents.
Why this matters in daily life
Think about the moments that stress a home: a busy dinner service on an old oven circuit, a portable heater on a worn outlet, a bathroom fan with a cracked cover, or a shed that was ‘temporarily’ wired years ago.
Proper checks find the quiet risks, missing RCD protection, tired insulation, reversed polarity on a rarely used outlet before they become a shock, a trip-fest, or a call-out at 9 pm. That’s comfort for you and safety for your tenants.
How to prepare (and avoid re-visits)
- Share what’s changed: Tell your electrician about renovations, new appliances, or nuisance trips since the last visit.
- Make access easy: Clear the switchboard, unlock sheds, lift heavy furniture away from key outlets.
- Have records handy: prior test reports, defect notices, and Certificates of Electrical Safety. These speed up the job and clarify what’s been fixed.
- Expect measurements, not just photos: Your report should include RCD times, loop results, insulation readings, and clear defect descriptions linked to locations. If you only receive pictures, ask for the data.
Common 2026 findings (and what we do about them)
- No RCDs on lighting circuits: We install compliant RCD/RCBO protection and re-label the board.
- Brittle VIR or perished rubber cable: We isolate the affected runs and quote targeted rewiring to remove the hazard.
- Mixed-and-matched breakers with unclear labels: We rationalise devices, update schedules, and supply a neat circuit directory.
- Shed/garage submains with high loop impedance: We upsize protection or correct terminations to restore disconnection times.
What Albert Corn & Son provides
- A standards-based check against AS/NZS 3019:2022, not a drive-by.
- Clear, site-specific reporting with measured results, photos, and a punch-list in priority order.
- Straightforward upgrades: RCDs, board tidy-ups, rewiring of unsafe circuits, and fixes to pass a re-inspection – scheduled around your tenants.
Frequently asked questions about electrical safety checks
How long does an electrical safety check take?
A full electrical safety check usually takes 1–2 hours, depending on the property’s size and switchboard setup. Larger or older homes may take longer.
How often do you need an electrical safety check in Victoria?
Every two years for rental properties, performed by a licensed or registered electrician. Keep the date on file and share it with renters on request.
Is a quick visual check enough?
No. The law points to AS/NZS 3019:2022, which requires visual inspection and testing with recorded results. A report without measurements is unlikely to satisfy the standard.
Do I need to upgrade an old fuse board?
If it lacks compliant RCDs and circuit breakers on all circuits, yes. This has been required for Victorian rentals since 29 March 2023.
Our last check was only 12 months ago – why are we hearing about “higher quality” in 2026?
There’s increased focus on integrity and auditing after reports of rushed checks. Expect closer attention to evidence and record-keeping this year.
Ready for a 2026-proof safety check?
Book an electrical safety check with Albert Corn & Son. We’ll test to AS/NZS 3019:2022, provide a clear, measured report, and take care of any switchboard or wiring upgrades you need to stay compliant and comfortable this year.
03 5245 7727 
1/10-14 Capital Dr, Grovedale