Test and tag must be carried out by a competent person trained to AS/NZS 3760:2022, using calibrated test equipment. It is not an electrician only task.
What Makes Someone a Competent Person
Under AS/NZS 3760:2022, a competent person is someone trained and experienced enough to carry out both parts of what test and tag actually involves, the visual inspection and the electrical test. That means understanding how to check for physical damage, how to run earth continuity, insulation resistance and polarity checks on a PAT machine, and how to apply the correct testing interval for the environment the equipment is used in, whether that's the shorter cycle set out in the construction site testing requirements or a longer interval elsewhere. Records also need to be kept for every test, so a competent person needs to know what a compliant record looks like, not just how to run the test.
Does It Have to Be an Electrician?
No. AS/NZS 3760:2022 does not require an electrical licence to test and tag. What it requires is training to the standard and the use of calibrated test equipment. A business can train an existing staff member to become a competent person, or engage our professional test and tag service, whose technicians are already trained to the standard.
Why Training and Equipment Both Matter
A competent person without calibrated equipment cannot produce a reliable result, and calibrated equipment in untrained hands is just as much of a gap. Both need to be in place for a test to actually mean something on the compliance record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an electrician to test and tag?
No. Test and tag is not an electrician only role. It requires training to AS/NZS 3760:2022 and calibrated test equipment, not an electrical licence.
What is a competent person under AS/NZS 3760:2022?
Someone trained and experienced enough to carry out visual inspection and electrical testing to the standard, using calibrated equipment, and who understands the correct testing intervals for the environment.
Can I train my own staff to do it?
Yes. A PCBU can train an employee to become a competent person, or engage a professional test and tag provider instead.
