Why do I need a safety switch?
A legal 'must have'
The law says all homes built since 1992 must have safety switches installed on power circuits. They are not an optional extra!
If you are building a new home, you must have a safety switch installed on both power and lighting circuits.
The law also says that if you buy a property without a safety switch, you must install a safety switch for the power circuits within three months of a property transfer. This applies to any transfer of domestic premises including estate, family law and mortgagee transfers.
If you sell a property, you first establish whether a safety switch is installed for power circuits. This must be declared on the standard sales contract and Form 24 Property Transfer.
For a rental home, if it is subject to a residential tenancy agreement from 1 March 2006, the owner must have a safety switch installed for power points within 6 months of the agreement, or in any case by 1 March 2008.
Remember – if you buy a domestic residence, or enter into a residential tenancy agreement for a domestic residence you own you have a legal requirement to have a safety switch installed for general purpose socket outlets if there is not already one installed.
Safety switch requirements when buying and selling residential property (PDF, 219KB)
Safety switch requirements: your role as a real estate agent (PDF, 216 KB)
How do I get a safety switch?
Safety switches for domestic rental accommodation - protecting tenants and property (PDF, 366 KB)
Safety switch requirements when buying and selling residential property (PDF, 220KB)
Last updated 3 October 2008
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