What Are the Wiring Rules?
AS/NZS 3000, commonly known as the Wiring Rules, is the primary Australian and New Zealand standard for electrical installations. It sets out the minimum requirements for the design, construction, and verification of all low-voltage electrical installations in buildings, including homes, commercial premises, and industrial facilities. Compliance with the Wiring Rules is mandatory in every Australian state and territory.
What the Standard Covers
The Wiring Rules cover a broad range of electrical installation requirements, including:
- Protection against electric shock — requirements for earthing, RCDs, and insulation
- Protection against fire — cable selection, overcurrent protection, and installation methods
- Switchboard design — layout, labelling, and protective device selection
- Cable sizing and installation — current-carrying capacity, voltage drop limits, and installation methods
- Special installations — bathrooms, swimming pools, solar PV systems, and hazardous areas
- Testing and verification — mandatory tests before an installation is energised
The standard is regularly updated to reflect new technologies and safety research. The current edition (2018, amended 2020) introduced stricter requirements for arc fault detection devices and RCD protection on lighting circuits.
Relationship to Other Standards
AS/NZS 3000 is the umbrella standard, but it references many other Australian Standards for specific topics, including AS/NZS 3008 (cable selection), AS/NZS 3012 (construction site electrical installations), and AS/NZS 4836 (safe working on low-voltage installations).
How It Relates to Licence Verification
Only licensed electricians may perform electrical installation work subject to AS/NZS 3000. After completing work, the electrician must test the installation and issue an Electrical Safety Certificate (or equivalent) confirming compliance with the Wiring Rules. Verifying your electrician’s licence through TradieVerify ensures they are qualified to carry out work that meets this critical safety standard.