It’s one of the most common questions we get asked — and the answer depends on where in Australia or New Zealand your business operates. The rules under AS/NZS 3760:2022 treat new equipment differently on each side of the Tasman, and getting this wrong can leave gaps in your compliance record.
The Short Answer
| AUSTRALIA | Newly purchased equipment does NOT need to be tested. It must be tagged with a ‘New to Service’ tag before being introduced to the workplace. |
| NEW ZEALAND | Newly purchased equipment DOES need to be tested AND tagged before it is first used in the workplace. The Australian exemption does not apply in NZ. |
This distinction is embedded in AS/NZS 3760:2022 itself. The standard is a joint Australian and New Zealand standard, but it includes jurisdiction-specific provisions — and the treatment of new equipment is one of the key differences between the two countries.
Australia: The New to Service Tag Requirement
In Australia, the reasoning behind not requiring a test on new equipment is straightforward: a brand-new appliance purchased from a reputable supplier is presumed to have passed manufacturing quality controls and is unlikely to have developed a fault before leaving the factory. Testing it immediately adds cost without meaningfully reducing risk.
However, the equipment cannot simply be introduced to the workplace unlabelled. AS/NZS 3760:2022 requires that a New to Service tag be applied to indicate clearly that the item is newly purchased — not an item that was missed in a previous round of testing.
What Must a New to Service Tag Include?
The tag is not just a sticker — it must contain specific information to be compliant:
| What the Tag Must State | Wording |
| Wording that the appliance is New to Service | ‘New to Service’ |
| Statement that it has NOT been tested to AS/NZS 3760:2022 | ‘This appliance has not been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760’ |
| Date of Entry to service | Insert tag application date |
| The date by which it must be tested by a competent person | ‘To be tested by: [date]’ |
ATS supplies New to Service tags to our clients. Contact us on 1300 287 669 or email us and we’ll arrange to have tags sent out to you.
When Does New Equipment Need Its First Proper Test?
The New to Service tag is a temporary status — not a permanent exemption from testing. The appliance must be tested by a competent person at the next scheduled testing service under AS/NZS 3760:2022.
In practice this means:
- A power drill introduced to a construction site needs to be tested at the next scheduled service which will be within 3 months
- A microwave oven in an office kitchen (hostile environment) needs to be tested at the next scheduled service which will be within 12 months
- A computer monitor in a low-risk office environment needs to be tested at the next scheduled service which will be within within 12 months.
The ‘to be tested by’ date on the New to Service tag should reflect the next service round. If you’re unsure, your ATS technician can advise during their next visit — or contact the ATS support team.
New Zealand: Test and Tag Required Before First Use
In New Zealand, there is no equivalent exemption for new equipment. Under AS/NZS 3760:2022 as it applies in New Zealand, all portable electrical equipment must be inspected, tested, and tagged by a competent person before it is first introduced into service — regardless of whether it is brand new.
This reflects a stricter approach to electrical safety in the NZ regulatory environment, and means that NZ businesses need to factor testing of new equipment into their procurement process rather than introducing it to the workplace immediately upon arrival.
If you’re purchasing new electrical equipment for use in a New Zealand workplace, arrange for ATS to test and tag it before it enters service. Contact us to discuss scheduling new equipment testing as part of your existing compliance program.
What About Other ‘New to Your Workplace’ Scenarios?
The rules for newly purchased equipment are just one part of the picture. AS/NZS 3760:2022 also addresses several other common scenarios where equipment is new to a workplace — and most of these require full testing, in both Australia and New Zealand:
| Scenario | Australia | New Zealand |
| Newly purchased equipment | Tag only (New to Service tag) — no test required | Test AND tag required before first use |
| Second-hand / previously used equipment | Test and tag required before placing in service | Test and tag required before placing in service |
| Equipment transferred from another site | Test and tag required before placing in service | Test and tag required before placing in service |
| Equipment returned from repair | Test and tag required before returning to service | Test and tag required before returning to service |
| Hired or leased equipment | Test and tag required before each hire period | Test and tag required before each hire period |
| Equipment returned from storage | Visual inspection required; test if in doubt or if stored in hostile conditions | Test and tag required before returning to service |
| Equipment that has failed a test | Must not be used until repaired and retested | Must not be used until repaired and retested |
Key Takeaway – The ‘no test required’ exemption applies only to brand-new equipment in Australia. Second-hand, transferred, repaired, hired, or previously stored equipment must be tested before being placed in service — in both Australia and New Zealand.
Second-Hand and Transferred Equipment — A Common Mistake
One of the most common compliance gaps we see at ATS is businesses introducing second-hand or transferred equipment without testing it first. This includes:
- Equipment purchased from another business or at auction
- Equipment transferred from a closed site or office to an active one
- Equipment brought in by a new employee from a previous workplace
- Equipment donated to the organisation
None of these items carry the same manufacturing quality presumption as new equipment. They may have sustained damage, been stored in adverse conditions, or developed faults during their previous service life. AS/NZS 3760:2022 is clear — they must be tested before being placed in service, and a New to Service tag is not sufficient.
Equipment Returned from Repair
Any equipment that has been repaired — whether by an electrician, a manufacturer’s service centre, or an ATS technician — must be tested before it is returned to service. This applies even if the repair was minor. The test confirms that the repair has been carried out correctly and that the appliance is safe to use.
ATS technicians carry out minor repairs (plug and cord replacement) on-site and retest the item immediately after repair, so it re-enters service with a current PASS tag and updated compliance record.
Need Help With New Equipment Compliance?
Whether you need New to Service tags, want to schedule testing for newly purchased equipment, or need a full compliance program across multiple sites, ATS can help.
- New to Service tags for Australian clients — contact us to arrange delivery
- New equipment testing in New Zealand — schedule with your local ATS technician
- Second-hand and transferred equipment testing — can be booked as a standalone visit or added to your next scheduled service
- Full test and tag programs — covering all equipment from new to service through to regular retesting
Contact ATS on 1300 287 669, email us, or get a free quote online. Our team can answer any questions about new equipment compliance and arrange the right solution for your workplace
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