You do not need to be a licensed electrician to test and tag electrical equipment in Australia. You do need to be a competent person, and competency is something the business you work for must be able to demonstrate. This article explains what competency means in practice, the two levels that apply to in-service testing, and what nationally recognised training covers.

‍

What Does Test and Tag Involve?

Test and tag is the in-service inspection and testing of electrical cord-connected equipment and cord assemblies. It combines a visual inspection for damage with electrical testing, and it finishes with a tag that records the result, the date of the test, and who carried it out.

The purpose is preventative. Most electrical faults in workplace equipment appear first as damaged leads, cracked plugs, and worn insulation, well before they cause an injury. Regular inspection finds those faults while they are still faults rather than incidents.

The requirements for in-service testing in Australian workplaces are set out in AS/NZS 3760:2022. Construction and demolition sites are covered separately under AS/NZS 3012.

Do You Need to Be an Electrician to Test and Tag?

No. A person who is not qualified in electrical work can carry out testing and tagging, provided they have completed appropriate training and can be considered a competent person.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings about test and tag. The confusion comes from the fact that there are two distinct levels of competency, and only one of them requires an electrical licence.

What Are the Two Levels of Test and Tag Competency?

The first level applies to a licensed electrician. An electrician holds the knowledge and skills to use electrical test instruments that produce actual readings requiring technical interpretation, including insulation resistance meters and ohmmeters. This level covers a broader range of testing work.

The second level applies to a person who is not qualified in electrical work and who uses a pass-fail test instrument, known as a portable appliance tester. A portable appliance tester returns a clear pass or fail result and requires no technical interpretation. A person working at this level must complete a competency-based training course delivered by or on behalf of a registered training organisation.

For most workplaces, the second level is the relevant pathway. A facility manager, a maintenance officer, a hire company employee, or a site administrator can be trained to test and tag the equipment their workplace uses, without holding an electrical licence.

What Does Work Health and Safety Law Require?

Under Western Australian work health and safety legislation, a person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that electrical equipment used in the workplace is safe. Where in-service testing is required, that testing must be carried out by a competent person.

The obligation sits with the business, not with the individual holding the tester. An employer who directs an untrained worker to test and tag equipment has not met that requirement, even where the tags themselves are applied correctly. This is why documented, nationally recognised training matters. It provides evidence that the person carrying out the work was competent to do so.

Anyone carrying out testing and tagging should also remain competent to use the testing equipment over time, not only at the point they are first trained.

‍

How Often Does Equipment Need to Be Tested?

Testing intervals depend on the working environment rather than on the equipment itself. A power lead used in a low-risk office is tested far less frequently than the same lead used on a construction site, where it is exposed to damage, moisture, and constant movement.

The intervals that apply to each environment are set out in AS/NZS 3760:2022, with construction and demolition sites covered under AS/NZS 3012. Working out the correct interval for a given workplace, and being able to justify it, is part of what nationally recognised training covers.

What Does Nationally Recognised Test and Tag Training Cover?

ETA Training delivers nationally recognised test and tag training on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd, RTO 90909. The qualification is made up of two units of competency:

• UEECD0007 Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
• UEERL0003 Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord-connected equipment and cord assemblies

Training covers the work health and safety framework the testing sits inside, visual inspection, correct operation of a portable appliance tester, interpreting and recording results, tagging conventions, and the documentation a workplace needs to keep.

The practical component is where competency is demonstrated and assessed. Participants work with real equipment and real test instruments under a qualified trainer, which is the part of the process that cannot be replicated by reading a standard.

No prior experience is required, and no electrical qualifications are needed to enrol.

Face-to-Face or Online: Which Delivery Option Suits You?

Both options deliver the same two units of competency and the same nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.

The test and tag training course in Perth combines approximately three to four hours of self-paced online theory with approximately three hours of hands-on practical training at Treeby, Wangara, or Welshpool. Test instruments are provided on the day.

The online test and tag course covers the same theory component and delivers the practical session through a live virtual classroom. This option suits students who already own a portable appliance tester and who live or work too far from a Perth venue to attend in person.

If you do not own a portable appliance tester, the face-to-face course is the right choice.

‍

Book Your Test and Tag Training

ETA Training delivers nationally recognised test and tag training across three Perth locations. Booking is completed online in four steps:

1. Book using the online course calendar. Choose the course, choose the day, and pay online via the secure booking portal at any time.
2. Complete online learning units in your own time. The link to complete online theory is emailed once the face-to-face session is booked. Online units must be completed before the date of the course.
3. Complete practical units at the training centres. Attend the classroom face-to-face session on the day and time of booking. Venues: Wangara, Welshpool, Treeby.
4. Receive your training certification. Once both pre-course theory and face-to-face practical components are completed, the certificate is issued. All certification provided by Allens Training Pty Ltd, RTO 90909.

Your Statement of Attainment is typically issued on the same day of successful course completion.

Visit the test and tag training course page to check session availability and book online. If you are located outside Perth and already own a portable appliance tester, the online test and tag course delivers the same certification.