Below are the essentials of the legislation:

• The alarm must use a photoelectric sensor (no ionisation type).
• It must be interconnected with every other required alarm in the home — if one goes off, all the others will sound too.
• It must meet Australian Standard AS 3786:2014 (look for an “AS 3786–2014” marking on the device).
• The power source must be either:
  • Hardwired 240 V (usually required for new builds or when replacing hardwired units), or
  • Sealed 10-year non-removable battery (acceptable in many existing homes).
• The alarm must be less than 10 years old, and it must work reliably when tested.

Note: If you replace a hardwired alarm, the replacement must also be hardwired (not battery-only).

Think about where people sleep and how they would exit from a building.

Every bedroom: install an alarm inside each bedroom.

Hallways: install in hallways that connect those bedrooms to the rest of the storey; if there’s no hallway, place an alarm between the bedroom(s) and the rest of the level.

Each storey: install at least one alarm on each storey; on levels without bedrooms, install at least one alarm on the most likely path to an exit.

Smoke Alarm Placement Tips

Ceilings are best. Keep ≥ 300 mm from corners/lights and ≥ 400 mm from air-conditioning vents and the edge of any ceiling-fan blades. Follow manufacturer/QFES guidance for sloped ceilings, stairwells and exposed beams so smoke reaches the sensor quickly.

This a general guide, however every home may have different requirements, speak to your electrician or smoke alarm technician for accurate requirements for your home.

Queensland phases compliance based on when your home is built, renovated, sold or rented.

Currently, new homes and major renovations must meet the full alarm standard. Properties sold or leased must also be compliant before the settlement or lease begins.

By 1 January 2027, all existing private homes must be brought into full compliance.

Roles & Responsibilities (Owner, Landlord, Tenant)

• Owner / Occupier: Make sure your home has compliant, interconnected photoelectric alarms in the right places by 1 January 2027.
• Landlord / Lessors: Have compliant alarms before a new lease or any renewal. Test and clean within 30 days before the tenancy starts or renews.’
• Tenant: Test and clean at least once a year, keep alarms in place, and report any problems immediately.

Renewals count as a “new occupancy” for landlord obligations.

Here’s a brief run-through of what your home or dwelling needs for it to stay compliant with the latest smoke alarm legislation:

• Are your alarms photoelectric and marked AS 3786:2014?
• Do they interconnect so that all will sound together if one is triggered?
• Is there an alarm in every bedroom, in connecting hallways, and on each storey (or the path to an exit without bedrooms)?
• Are they on the ceiling clear of corners, lights, vents and fan edges?
• If you’re renting the property out, did you test & clean the alarms within 30 days before the lease started or renewed?