Four AS/NZS 3012 Gaps SafeWork NSW Always Finds

SafeWork NSW inspectors check for four main issues beyond just the tag on your equipment: tag colours not updated for the new quarter, RCDs missed because they are seen as someone else’s responsibility, subcontractor tools not listed in the equipment register, and tags that are damaged or missing before the next test.

Even if your site recently had a test and tag service, it’s easy to think everything is covered. However, a prohibition notice can cause far more downtime than the cost of testing, and inspectors look for exactly these problems.

Key takeaways

• Having a recent test and tag service does not mean your site is compliant right now. Inspectors focus on issues that can appear between visits.
• Compliance rules apply to all equipment, no matter who owns it. If subcontractor tools are not on your register, you are still responsible for them.
• The tag colour must match the current calendar quarter, not just show a retest date that hasn't passed yet.
• Portable RCDs require their own testing records and are not automatically included in other electrical work on site.
• Fixing these four issues before an audit is much less expensive than dealing with fines and downtime after a prohibition notice.

The four gaps inspectors are trained to spot

Most Sydney builders understand that AS/NZS 3012 applies to their site and that equipment must be tested every three months. The problem is not the standard itself, but the details inspectors look for when they visit. These gaps do not happen because sites ignore compliance, but because testing is often seen as a one-time task instead of an ongoing process.

The four recurring gaps are:

• Tag colour does not match the current quarter. The national colour rotation changes every three months on set calendar dates, not based on your testing schedule. If your last test was a few weeks before the changeover, the tag might look current on paper but show the wrong colour when an inspector visits.
• RCDs are seen as someone else’s responsibility. Portable RCDs used with extension leads and tools need their own testing records. While a licensed electrician takes care of the fixed installation and its RCD protection, portable RCDs are not included, so they often go untested until a problem occurs.
• Subcontractor tools are not listed in the register. For example, a drill or grinder brought by a subcontractor and used on your site is still your responsibility while it is there. These tools move between trades quickly, so they are easy to forget to log. SafeWork NSW’s construction inspection checklist is clear: every power tool, extension lead, and portable RCD on site must be tested at least every three months and have a current tag, no matter who owns it.
• Tags get damaged before the next test is due. Concrete dust, rain, and moving equipment between levels can wear out a tag long before its retest date. If a tag is missing, you cannot prove to an inspector that the equipment was tested.

Each of these issues might seem small on its own. But together, they can be the difference between a site that thinks it is compliant and one that fails an audit. The risks are serious: on-the-spot fines for electrical safety breaches can be as high as $3,600 for a business and $720 for an individual, not including the cost of a prohibition notice that stops work.

Close these gaps before an audit

To close these gaps, treat test and tag as a system for the whole site, not just your own equipment. This means keeping a register that includes subcontractor tools while they are on site, testing and logging RCDs separately from fixed wiring, tracking tag colours for the current quarter, and replacing damaged tags as soon as they are found instead of waiting for the next visit.

Good record keeping is key to avoiding all four gaps. If you are not sure what your current provider is doing, our guide explains what records you should keep after test and tag, including what a proper register and testing history should have. A provider that tests to AS/NZS 3012 for the whole site, including subcontractor tools and portable RCDs, meets the real requirements.