Homeowners
Upgrading your own home to the new requirements before the 2027 deadline.
Residential · Cairns & Far North Queensland
Smoke Alarm Compliance in Cairns
While most of our work is electrical testing, smoke alarm compliance is a residential service we provide for homes, rentals and units across Cairns and Far North Queensland.
The legislation
What Queensland's Smoke Alarm Laws Require
Queensland has some of the strictest residential smoke alarm requirements in Australia. Under the legislation, homes need smoke alarms that are:
- Photoelectric and compliant with AS 3786-2014
- Interconnected, so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound
- Installed in every bedroom
- Installed in hallways connecting bedrooms with the rest of the home
- Installed on each level of the home
- Hardwired, or powered by a 10-year non-removable battery
Ionisation alarms do not meet the requirements and need to be replaced with photoelectric alarms.
Key date
The 1 January 2027 Deadline
Homes that are sold, leased or have a lease renewed already need to meet the new requirements. By 1 January 2027, all existing homes, townhouses and units in Queensland must comply — including owner-occupied homes.
With the deadline approaching, it pays to plan your upgrade early. Homeowners, landlords and property managers looking after several properties can schedule the work in an orderly way rather than leaving it to the last minute.
Who we help
Smoke Alarm Compliance for Homes & Rentals
We work with the people responsible for keeping residential properties safe and compliant.
Landlords
Bringing rental homes into line before a new lease or renewal.
Property managers & real estate agencies
Testing and upgrades across rental portfolios, with records for each property.
Body corporates
Coordinated work across residential units and townhouse complexes.
Testing
Testing & Checks Between Tenancies
Smoke alarms only protect people if they work. For rental properties, alarms need to be tested and cleaned before each new tenancy or lease renewal. Our checks cover:
- Checking each alarm sounds and is interconnected
- Confirming alarm type, location and expiry date
- Cleaning alarms and identifying faulty or expired units
- Recording the result for each alarm
Property managers can book checks between tenancies across their rental portfolio.
Upgrades
Upgrade & Installation by a Licensed Electrician
Hardwired smoke alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician. Northern Electrical & Testing is a licensed electrical contractor (QLD Electrical Contractor Licence 1515493) and can:
- Assess your existing alarms against the legislation
- Replace ionisation and expired alarms with photoelectric alarms
- Install additional alarms in bedrooms, hallways and on each level
- Interconnect alarms throughout the home
Records
Records & Compliance Certificates
Property managers need clear paperwork for every property. After testing or an upgrade, you receive:
- A record of each alarm tested or installed
- Alarm locations and types
- Any faults found and the action taken
- A smoke alarm compliance certificate on completion
Keep it on file, or pass it on to your property manager, tenants or body corporate committee.
Coverage
Mareeba, the Tablelands, Cairns & Remote FNQ
We are based in Mareeba and provide smoke alarm compliance across the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns and remote Far North Queensland communities.
See our full service area for coverage details, or contact us to discuss your home or rental.
Available 24/7 | Servicing all Far North Queensland
Why Northern Electrical & Testing
Local, licensed and reliable
- 100% First Nations owned and operated
- 15+ years' trade and industry experience
- Licensed electrical contractor
- Locally based in Mareeba
- Clear records for property managers
- Servicing all Far North Queensland
Learn more about Northern Electrical & Testing.
FAQ
Smoke Alarm Compliance Questions
Do I need to upgrade my smoke alarms before 2027?
Yes. All existing Queensland homes, townhouses and units must meet the new smoke alarm requirements by 1 January 2027. Homes that are sold, leased or have a lease renewed already need to comply.
Does my rental property need interconnected smoke alarms?
Yes. Rental properties must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with AS 3786-2014, installed in the required locations. Interconnection means that when one alarm activates, they all sound.
Should my smoke alarms be hardwired or battery powered?
Either is allowed. Alarms must be hardwired to the home's power supply or powered by a 10-year non-removable battery. Where hardwired alarms already exist, they must be replaced with hardwired alarms, and hardwired installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician.
Where must smoke alarms be installed?
Smoke alarms are required in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the home, and on each level of the home. Where there is no hallway, an alarm is needed between the bedroom area and the rest of the level.
Can you provide a compliance certificate for my property manager?
Yes. After testing or an upgrade we provide a record of the work and a smoke alarm compliance certificate that you can pass on to your property manager or real estate agency.
Do you service Mareeba and the Tablelands?
Yes. We are based in Mareeba and service the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns and remote Far North Queensland communities.
Available 24/7 · All Far North Queensland