NSW has not adopted a mandatory periodic electrical safety check like Victoria — yet. But the gap between "no specific law" and "no obligation" is where most landlord insurance claims are lost. In 2026, the combined effect of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and updates to AS/NZS 3000 means a landlord who has not had a periodic electrical safety inspection in the last two years is effectively uninsurable against tenant injury claims. This guide sets out what compliance actually looks like.

What NSW Law Currently Requires

Smoke alarms — the only clear-cut rule

From 23 March 2020, NSW landlords must have working smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every storey, check them annually, replace batteries each year (or the alarm itself if 10-year sealed), and replace the device at end-of-life. The full rule set is on the NSW Fair Trading smoke alarm page.

RCD protection — required on any new work

AS/NZS 3000:2018 requires 30mA RCD protection on every new socket-outlet and lighting circuit. Existing rentals with no RCDs are not retroactively illegal, but the moment any electrical work is performed (replacing a hot water unit, adding a power point, replacing a stove), the affected circuits must come up to current code.

Duty of care — the catch-all

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, landlords must provide and maintain premises that are "reasonably clean, fit for habitation, and in a reasonable state of repair". A switchboard with no RCDs, exposed wiring in a ceiling void, or a working hot water service with no isolating switch all fail that test once a court sees the standard.

What a Compliant Periodic Inspection Covers

Switchboard condition, age, asbestos backing, main switch, RCD testing under load
Smoke alarm test, battery date, manufacture date, location compliance
All visible wiring — TPS condition, junction boxes, ceiling penetrations
Every GPO and light switch — earth continuity, polarity, screw tension
Hot water unit isolation switch and earth bond
Exhaust fans — wiring, mounting, ducting (linked to mould complaints)
External outlets and pool equipment where applicable

A compliant report identifies non-conformances, ranks them by risk, and is signed by a licensed NSW electrical contractor with their licence number on the document. That signed report is what your landlord insurer wants to see at claim time.

What It Costs in 2026

Periodic safety inspection, typical 3-bed Sydney rental: $220–$380
Add annual smoke alarm service (combined visit): +$70–$110
RCBO upgrade (per circuit) when triggered: $180–$340
Full switchboard replacement: $1,800–$3,800
Replace 10-year sealed smoke alarm (per unit): $95–$160

The Insurance Reality Most Landlords Miss

Major Australian landlord insurers (EBM, Terri Scheer, Honan, RentCover) increasingly require a documented electrical safety check within the previous 24 months before paying out on a fire or electrocution claim. The premium difference between "compliant" and "not assessed" can exceed $400 per year — and that's before any claim is filed. A $300 inspection every two years is the cheapest insurance available.

Practical Compliance Schedule

At every new tenancy — smoke alarm test, RCD test, document with photos.
Every 12 months — smoke alarm service.
Every 24 months — full periodic electrical safety inspection.
After any electrical work — CCEW issued by the electrician and stored with the property file.

Book a Sydney Rental Inspection

Tradetek Solutions performs fixed-price electrical safety inspections and smoke alarm servicing for landlords, property managers and strata managers across Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle. Call 0488 822 794 or visit our electrical inspections and smoke alarm service pages.