What is an electrical safety inspection?

An electrical safety inspection is a comprehensive assessment of your home’s wiring, switchboard, outlets, and safety devices. It ensures compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000 and identifies risks such as overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or missing safety switches. Licensed electricians perform inspections to prevent electric shock, fires, and appliance damage.

Electrical Checks

Most of us assume our home’s electrical system is safe, until something goes wrong. But how would you know if your wiring is degrading behind the walls?
Or if your switchboard is overheating?

Electrical safety inspections aren’t just a precaution, they’re a necessity, especially in older suburbs like Narre Warren and Roweville.
The homes are now all over 40 years old and the original switchoards are out dated and should be replaced.
Whether you’re buying, selling, renovating, or just haven’t had an inspection in years, now is the right time to understand how an inspection works and why it matters.

What Is an Electrical Safety Inspection?

An electrical safety inspection is a thorough review of your property’s entire electrical infrastructure. A licensed electrician checks the condition, compliance, and performance of:

• Wiring and cable insulation
• Power outlets and light switches
• Switchboard and circuit breakers
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) or safety switches
• Earthing and bonding systems
• Appliance connections and load capacity
• Smoke alarm wiring (if hardwired)
• External weatherproofing of outdoor circuits

At Direct Point Electrical, we follow all necessary legislation and guidelines such as : AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules, Energy Safe Victoria guidelines, and Victorian Rental Tenancy Regulations.

Why Inspections Are Essential in Older Homes

Homes built prior to 1990 often used outdated wiring types, including rubber-insulated or aluminium cabling. These materials degrade over time, especially in areas exposed to heat or moisture.

If your home hasn’t been rewired or inspected in over 20 years, a safety inspection is critical. We’ve found issues such as:

• Non-earthed outlets
• Oversized fuses
• Lack of smoke alarms
• Circuits with no RCDs
• Undersized cabling for modern loads

These conditions are serious hazards.

When Should You Book an Inspection?

• Before buying or selling property: Required by many lenders and recommended for buyer due diligence
• Before renovations or major appliance upgrades
• After flood, storm, or fire damage
• If your home is more than 25 years old
• As a landlord, when preparing a rental property

Since March 2021, Victorian landlords must complete electrical safety checks every 2 years, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021.

Full details here: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alterations-safety-and-pests/electrical-gas-and-smoke-alarm-safety

What Happens During the Inspection?

Our licensed electricians perform a full walk-through and evaluation of all accessible electrical systems, including:

• Testing each socket and switch for faults
• Checking polarity and voltage across all points
• Verifying the presence and performance of RCDs
• Inspecting switchboard layout, protection, and labelling
• Thermal imaging to detect overheating components (where required)
• Earth loop impedance testing
• Noting any illegal or DIY wiring

After the inspection, you’ll receive a written report outlining:

• Existing hazards
• Compliance status
• Urgent repairs (if any)
• Recommended upgrades
• Safety improvement options

We also issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) for any rectification work completed.

What If My Home Fails?

Don’t panic. Many homes we inspect require only minor upgrades like adding an RCD, replacing a few degraded outlets, or isolating an overloaded circuit.

If major issues are found (e.g., wiring not earthed, switchboard non-compliant), we’ll prioritise safety risks and provide a clear, fixed quote. You can read more about how we handle updates on our electrical services page

How Long Does It Take?

Most inspections take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on property size and accessibility.
If you live in a double-storey or split-level home, or have extensive outdoor power, the time may vary slightly.

Does an Inspection Save Me Money?

Absolutely. Undiagnosed issues like leaking current, loose neutral connections, or improperly loaded circuits can:

• Increase your power bill
• Shorten the lifespan of your appliances
• Risk costly repairs if left undetected

Additionally, catching faults early protects you from the financial and legal fallout of an electrical fire or injury claim especially if you’re a landlord.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a safety inspection and an energy audit?

A safety inspection checks for hazards and code compliance. An energy audit measures efficiency and suggests ways to reduce consumption.

Do I need to turn off the power for the inspection?

Not always. Some tests require brief disconnection, but your power will be on for most of the process.

Can I get fined for not doing a safety check?

If you’re a landlord, yes. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, failing to complete bi-annual safety checks can result in fines or rental listing issues.

Do I need a safety inspection if I have solar?

Yes. Solar systems have additional components that must be tested—including isolators, inverters, and export limits.

Can DIY electrical work void my inspection?

It can. Non-compliant or unlicensed modifications must be corrected before we can issue safety clearance.

Need A Local Electrician?

Electrical safety inspections are one of the most important and affordable safeguards you can invest in. They can prevent tragedy and if your home is older, has recently undergone renovation, or hasn’t been professionally checked in years, it’s time to act.

Contact Direct Point Electrical today to book your professional inspection.

Local Electricians