The short version: In Victoria, a gas safety check and an electrical safety check must each be carried out at least once every 2 years — the gas check by a licensed or registered gasfitter, the electrical check by a licensed electrician. The rental provider arranges and pays for them, keeps the records, and must disclose the last check dates before a tenancy begins.
Who these rules apply to
These obligations sit with the rental provider (the landlord) for residential rental properties in Victoria, under the Residential Tenancies Regulations. They apply to rental agreements entered into after 29 March 2021, and the responsibility can't be handed to the renter. If you use a managing agent, the agent typically arranges the checks on your behalf — but the underlying duty is still yours.
Gas safety checks
Every gas installation, fitting and appliance the rental provider supplies must have a gas safety check every 2 years, carried out by a licensed or registered gasfitter. The gasfitter must hold the appropriate Type A gas appliance servicing endorsement, and Type A appliances should be serviced in line with the relevant Australian Standard (AS 4575).
A gas safety check typically confirms things like:
- Gas appliances are correctly and safely installed and accessible for servicing
- Adequate ventilation and correct clearances from combustible materials
- Flue systems are sound and operating correctly
- Any required isolation valves and, for LPG, correct cylinder installation and restraints
- No dangerous conditions such as gas leaks or unsafe carbon monoxide spillage
Electrical safety checks
All electrical installations, fixtures and fittings must be checked by a licensed electrician (a Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria) at least once every 2 years. The check is carried out in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard for periodic inspection (AS/NZS 3019).
There's also a modern-wiring expectation: since 29 March 2023, power outlets and lighting circuits are expected to be connected to both appropriate circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs / safety switches). If your property doesn't have safety switches, an electrical safety check is likely to flag it.
| Gas safety check | Electrical safety check | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | At least every 2 years | At least every 2 years |
| Who can do it | Licensed / registered gasfitter (Type A endorsement) | Licensed electrician (Registered Electrical Contractor) |
| Standard | AS 4575 (Type A servicing) | AS/NZS 3019 (periodic inspection) |
| Who pays & keeps records | Rental provider | Rental provider |
Records and what you must give the renter
You need to keep the records and share them on request:
- Keep the record of the most recent gas and electrical safety checks (retain it until the record of the next check is created).
- Provide a copy to the renter within 7 days of receiving a written request for it.
- Disclose before the agreement starts: the date of the last gas and electrical safety checks, and any outstanding recommendations from those checks.
What if a check is overdue when a new renter moves in?
If a gas or electrical safety check hasn't been done in the previous 2 years at the time a renter occupies the property, the relevant check must be completed as soon as possible. In practice, that means the safest move is to have current checks in hand before a new tenancy begins — not to scramble afterwards.
Your 2-year compliance checklist
- Gas safety check completed within the last 2 years by a licensed/registered gasfitter
- Electrical safety check completed within the last 2 years by a licensed electrician
- Safety switches (RCDs) present on power and lighting circuits
- Written records of both checks kept on file
- Last check dates and any outstanding recommendations disclosed before the tenancy started
- A reminder set so the next round of checks isn't missed
Stay compliant without the paperwork
PropCommand lets Victorian rental providers post a gas or electrical safety check in seconds, receive competitive bids from vetted, licensed local tradespeople, and keep every certificate and photo in one VCAT-ready audit trail — so proof of compliance is always a click away.
Frequently asked questions
How often are gas and electrical safety checks required for Victorian rentals?
Both a gas safety check and an electrical safety check must be carried out at least once every 2 years. The gas check must be done by a licensed or registered gasfitter and the electrical check by a licensed electrician.
Who is responsible for arranging the safety checks?
The rental provider (landlord) is responsible for arranging and paying for the checks and for keeping the records. This obligation can't be passed to the renter, though a managing agent may organise the checks on the provider's behalf.
What records do I have to give the renter?
You must keep a record of the most recent gas and electrical safety checks and provide a copy to the renter within 7 days of receiving a written request. Before the rental agreement begins, you must also disclose the date of the last checks and any outstanding recommendations.
What happens if a check hasn't been done in the last 2 years when a new renter moves in?
If a gas or electrical safety check hasn't been conducted within the previous 2 years at the time a renter occupies the property, the relevant check must be completed as soon as possible.
This article is general information for Victorian rental providers and is not legal advice. Requirements can change and individual circumstances differ. Always confirm your current obligations with the official sources — Consumer Affairs Victoria (phone 1300 55 81 81) and Energy Safe Victoria — or seek professional advice before acting.