uying a home is exciting, but it also comes with responsibilities, including making sure your electrical system is safe, compliant, and ready for modern life. Whether your new home is decades old or freshly built, this checklist will help you identify common electrical issues and take proactive steps to protect your household.

Start with a Professional Electrical Inspection

Before moving in, or shortly after, book a full inspection with a licensed Level 2 electrician. They’ll check the entire system, from the street connection to your switchboard, outlets, and appliances. This helps uncover hidden risks like outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, or missing safety features.

Inspections are especially important if:

• The home is over 20 years old
• Renovations have been done without clear documentation
• You plan to add high-demand appliances or solar

Check the Switchboard and Safety Switches

Open your switchboard and look for visible signs of age or damage. If you see ceramic fuses instead of modern breakers, it’s time for an upgrade. Confirm that safety switches (RCDs) are present and test them regularly using the built-in button.

A modern switchboard with functioning RCDs is your home’s frontline defence against electric shock and fire.

Confirm Smoke Alarm Compliance

Every NSW home must have working smoke alarms installed on each level. These should be hardwired with a backup battery, and ideally interconnected to alert you throughout the home in an emergency. Check the installation date and test the alarms monthly.

If in doubt, have a licensed electrician confirm compliance with NSW regulations.

Test All Outlets and Light Fittings

Walk through the home and test every power outlet and light switch. Loose sockets, flickering lights, or buzzing sounds may indicate poor connections or underlying faults.

Make sure outdoor outlets have waterproof covers and that bathroom or kitchen power points are safely located away from water sources.

Inspect Overhead and Underground Power Lines

If your home connects via a private power pole or overhead cables, have a Level 2 ASP inspect the lines for sagging, UV damage, or proximity to trees. Underground connections should be checked for access points, condition, and water ingress.

These connections form part of your home’s compliance responsibility and can lead to defect notices if neglected.

Plan for Future Upgrades

Think ahead about how you’ll use the home, are you considering:

• An EV charger?
• Rooftop solar?
• A granny flat or pool?

If so, it’s smart to ensure your switchboard and service capacity can handle the load now, rather than during an urgent upgrade.

Know Your Emergency Shut-Offs

Locate your main switchboard and meter box. Make sure all adults in the home know how to shut off power in an emergency. Label circuits clearly, especially for appliances, air conditioning, and kitchen areas.

If anything is unclear or unlabelled, a Level 2 electrician can inspect and clarify your setup.

Reference : Switchboard Upgrade