In Victoria, smoke alarms must be installed in all homes, units, flats, and townhouses, and be available on every level. Smoke alarms must also comply with Australian Standard AS 3786.

Below is a simple guide to what ‘compliant’ means, where to place alarms, who must follow the rules (including rentals), and how PSA’s Smoke Alarms can help.

Below are the essentials of smoke alarm regulations Victoria homeowners and rental providers should know (taken from Fire Rescue Victoria):

• Smoke alarms must be installed on every level of all Victorian residential properties.
• Smoke alarms must meet AS 3786 (Australian Standard).
• Smoke alarms should be maintained monthly, tested yearly, and replaced when they reach end-of-life (commonly 10 years).

Note: This is a general guide. Requirements can vary based on building design and works undertaken – speak to your electrician or smoke alarm technician for property-specific advice.

Victorian smoke alarm legislation applies to all residential properties (houses, units, flats and townhouses) and the minimum requirements depend on when the property was built (or when major renovation/extension work was done).

• Built before 1 August 1997: you can use standalone, battery-powered smoke alarms.
• Built/renovated/extended after 1 August 1997: you’ll need hardwired (240V mains) smoke alarms, each with a backup battery.
• Built/renovated/extended after 1 May 2014: if more than one alarm is required, they must be interconnected, hardwired (240V mains) and each have a backup battery.

For smoke detector requirements in Victoria, the goal is early warning on escape routes and near sleeping areas.

By law, smoke alarms must be installed between each sleeping area and the rest of the home, with at least one on every level (for example, in hallways outside bedrooms).

For best protection, Victorian fire services recommend placing smoke alarms in every bedroom and living area, as a hallway alarm may not activate quickly if a bedroom door is closed.

Owner / Occupier

Ensure your home has working smoke alarms installed on every level that are compliant with AS 3786.

Rental Provider (Landlord / Agent)

Rental providers must ensure that smoke alarms in the property:

• are correctly installed and in working condition
• are fitted with batteries or replacement batteries
• are tested at least once every 12 months in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Rental providers must also provide renters with written instructions on how each smoke alarm works, how to test it, and the renter’s responsibilities (including not tampering with the alarms and reporting faults promptly). This helps keep smoke alarms compliant and working throughout the tenancy.

From 25 November 2025, rental properties must also have annual smoke alarm safety checks.

Renter (Tenant)

Renters must:

• notify the rental provider if a smoke alarm is faulty or not working
• not deactivate, remove or interfere with smoke alarms.

Broken smoke alarms are treated as urgent repairs once reported.

• Do you have smoke alarms installed on every level?
• Do your smoke alarms comply with AS 3786?
• Was the home built/extended/renovated after 1 August 1997 (hardwired 240V + backup battery)?
• Was the home built/extended/renovated after 1 May 2014 and thus require multiple alarms (interconnection)?
• If it’s a rental, are alarms tested at least every 12 months, and are they ready for the annual safety check requirement imposed from 25 November 2025?