Test and tag frequently asked questions

Test and tag is the common name for the in-service inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment. A trained person visually inspects each item, tests it electrically with a portable appliance tester, and attaches a tag recording the test date and when the next test is due.

Under Western Australia’s work health and safety laws, businesses have to manage the risks that come with electrical equipment used at work. Inspection and testing of portable equipment is a common way to do this, and in some higher-risk environments, such as construction work and places where equipment is exposed to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive substances or damage, it’s required.

Your obligations depend on your workplace. See WorkSafe WA for official guidance, or ask us about your situation.

Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 recommends intervals based on the environment the equipment is used in. Construction sites have the shortest interval, at three months. Factories, warehouses and workshops are tested more often than low-risk areas such as offices, where equipment isn’t moved around or open to damage.

We can recommend an interval for your workplace and note the next test date on every tag.

We test portable electrical equipment that plugs into a power point, such as extension leads, power boards, chargers, computers, monitors, printers, kitchen appliances, heaters, fans, vacuum cleaners and power tools.

Fixed wiring, switchboards and hard-wired equipment aren’t part of portable appliance testing. They need a licensed electrician.

Any item that fails is clearly identified and recorded so it can be taken out of use straight away. It should then be repaired by a suitably qualified person or replaced.

Disruption is usually minimal. Each item is unplugged for a short time while it’s inspected and tested. We can work through your site one area at a time, and plan around computers or equipment that can’t be switched off during business hours.

Yes. You receive a record of the items tested and their results, which you can keep with your workplace safety documents.

• Gather portable items that are usually stored away, such as spare leads, heaters, fans and tools
• Ask staff to leave laptop chargers and other work equipment on site
• Let us know about any equipment that can’t be switched off
• Arrange access to every area that needs testing

The price depends mainly on how many items need testing and where your workplace is located. For a quote, send us a quote request or call 0457 374 593 with your location and an approximate item count.

We’re based in Bunbury and service workplaces in Greater Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and across the South West of Western Australia. See our service areas page for details.

Yes. Most workplaces need regular retesting, and we can plan your next visit around when your tags are due. See our commercial test and tag page for more about repeat and multi-site testing.