Every year in Australia, there are more than 20,000 house fires — and the difference between life and death can come down to just a few seconds.
Smoke alarms save lives when they are properly installed, correctly positioned, and in full working order. Yet, alarmingly, 1 in 3 homes we visit for the first time has no working smoke alarm, placing everyone inside at serious risk.
To keep your home and loved ones safe, annual servicing of smoke alarms is strongly recommended nationwide — and is legally required in several states.
Regular servicing ensures:
Alarms are operating correctly
Batteries are replaced
Devices meet current safety standards
Don’t wait for a fire to test your smoke alarm.
Stay safe. Service your alarms every year.
At Nationguard Fire & Safety, we help Sydney homeowners stay protected with expert smoke alarm services, including installation, replacement, troubleshooting, and compliance checks, so your alarms are always ready when it matters most.
Smoke alarms are mandatory in all buildings where people sleep—including homes, rental properties, caravans, and short-term rentals—under the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021. All alarms must meet Australian Standard AS 3786.
Smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home.
They should be located:
In hallways near bedrooms
Near each bedroom if bedrooms are separated
Between bedrooms and the rest of the home if there’s no hallway
Since 23 March 2020, landlords are required to:
Install at least one working smoke alarm per level
Repair or replace non-working alarms within 2 business days
Check alarms annually to ensure they work
Replace alarms every 10 years (or sooner if the manufacturer specifies)
Replace batteries annually (or per manufacturer instructions for lithium batteries)
Provide 2 business days’ notice to inspect or assess alarms
Provide at least 1 hour’s notice to repair or replace alarms
⚠️ Penalties apply for non-compliance
Landlords provide working alarms
Tenants must:
Notify the landlord/agent if an alarm isn’t working or a battery needs changing
Inform the landlord if they change a battery or hire an electrician
Not remove or tamper with alarms unless there’s a valid reason
Social housing tenants may have different rules
Must have at least one smoke alarm in the main sleeping area and the annex (if used for sleeping)
Alarms must have a “hush” button to silence for 10 minutes
Must comply with AS 3786
From 1 November 2021, new fire safety standards apply
Properties must:
Meet the new alarm requirements (existing alarms may not be enough)
Be registered on the STRA Register
These updates come from amendments to the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP 2009 and EPA Regulation 2000
Landlords may enter rentals (with notice) to inspect or maintain alarms
Tenants can only carry out limited alarm repairs (see Fair Trading NSW)
Alarms cannot be removed or disabled without a valid reason
| Requirement | Homeowners | Landlords | Tenants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke alarms on every level | | (Landlord responsibility) | |
| Annual alarm checks | | ❌ | |
| Battery replacement (annually or per manufacturer) | | Notify only | |
| Install AS 3786-compliant alarms | | | |
| Repair non-working alarm in 2 days | ❌ | | Notify |
| Install alarms in caravans/campervans | | | |
| STRA Registration & fire compliance | ❌ | (if applicable) | ❌ |