AS/NZS 3760

GM of Operations

Published 28 June 2026

AS/NZS 3760 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. It defines how portable appliances are visually inspected, electrically tested, and tagged, and is the basis for workplace test and tag programmes.

AS/NZS 3760 is the joint Australian and New Zealand standard covering the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, commonly known as test and tag. It sets out how portable electrical appliances should be visually inspected, electrically tested, and tagged, and provides recommended testing intervals based on the operating environment. It is the technical basis competent persons follow when carrying out test and tag.

Why it matters

Faulty electrical equipment is a significant cause of workplace fires and electric shock. Following AS/NZS 3760 gives organisations a recognised method for identifying faults before they cause harm and for demonstrating that electrical safety is being managed. While the standard itself is guidance rather than law, Australian Work Health and Safety duties require electrical equipment to be safe, and AS/NZS 3760 is the accepted way to show that.

How MapTrack helps

MapTrack tracks test and tag schedules aligned to AS/NZS 3760 intervals, stores tagging results and certificates against each appliance, and sends reminders before retesting is due so equipment does not fall out of compliance.

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Frequently asked questions

Is AS/NZS 3760 a legal requirement?

AS/NZS 3760 is a standard, not legislation, so it is not automatically law. However, Australian Work Health and Safety legislation requires that electrical equipment in workplaces is safe and maintained. AS/NZS 3760 sets out the accepted method for inspecting, testing, and tagging electrical equipment, so following it is the practical way most organisations demonstrate they are meeting their electrical safety duties.

How often does AS/NZS 3760 require testing?

AS/NZS 3760 recommends testing intervals based on the operating environment rather than a single fixed period. Harsh environments such as construction and demolition sites call for frequent testing, often every three months, while lower-risk office settings allow much longer intervals. The standard also distinguishes between different equipment classes, which can affect what testing is required.

Related terms

Test and Tag

Test and tag is the process of visually inspecting and electrically testing portable electrical equipment and appliances to ensure they are safe to use, then attaching a tag indicating the test date, result, next test due date, and tester’s identity. In Australia, the process follows AS/NZS 3760, which specifies testing intervals based on the operating environment. It is a workplace health and safety requirement for electrical equipment used in commercial and industrial settings.

Compliance Management

Compliance management in asset-intensive industries is the systematic process of ensuring that equipment, operations, and personnel meet all applicable regulatory, safety, environmental, and contractual requirements. It encompasses tracking inspection due dates, certifications, licences, safety checks, environmental obligations, and industry-specific standards. Compliance management requires both proactive scheduling and thorough record-keeping.

Calibration

Calibration is the process of comparing the measurements produced by an instrument or device against a known reference standard and adjusting it to ensure accuracy within specified tolerances. It applies to test and measurement equipment, sensors, gauges, safety devices, and any instrument where measurement accuracy is critical. Calibration records include the as-found and as-left readings, the reference standard used, and the calibration date and next due date.

WHS compliance software

WHS compliance software is a digital WHS management system that helps organisations meet Work Health and Safety obligations by managing inspections, incident records, risk assessments, corrective actions, contractor compliance, regulatory reporting and audit trails. It replaces paper registers, spreadsheets and email chains with a searchable system of record that shows what was checked, when it was checked, who completed it, what failed and what evidence was attached.

Pre-Start Inspection

A pre-start inspection is a systematic check performed on plant, equipment, or vehicles before each use or shift to identify defects, damage, or unsafe conditions. It typically follows a standardised checklist covering safety-critical items such as brakes, steering, lights, tyres, guards, fluid levels, and warning devices. Pre-start inspections are a legal requirement under workplace health and safety regulations in Australia and are similarly required in other jurisdictions, including OSHA equipment inspection requirements in the United States and PUWER requirements in the United Kingdom.

Cite this definition

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AS/NZS 3760 is the joint Australian and New Zealand standard covering the in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment, commonly known as test and tag.

Short attribution: MapTrack Glossary: AS/NZS 3760, https://www.maptrack.com/glossary/as-nzs-3760
Reference list: MapTrack. (2026). AS/NZS 3760 [Glossary definition]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/glossary/as-nzs-3760

Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/glossary/as-nzs-3760.