QLD Smoke Alarm Legislation: Effective 2027 - Learn more

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Selling Your Home

Smoke Alarm Compliance Made Simple

Sell with confidence. Avoid delays, penalties and last-minute buyer objections. When you’re selling your home, smoke alarm compliance is one of those details that can quietly cause delays — or suddenly become a negotiation point late in the process. Buyers, conveyancers and building inspectors often want reassurance that the property meets current smoke alarm requirements. Getting this sorted early helps your sale move forward smoothly, without surprises. Property Compliance Australia (PCA) makes smoke alarm compliance simple, fast, and stress-free.

WHY Smoke Alarm Compliance

Matters When Selling

Smoke alarm requirements differ by state, but the outcome is the same everywhere: non-compliant alarms can slow settlement, trigger buyer concerns, or lead to last-minute fixes. Even where a formal “certificate” isn’t strictly mandated by law, many sale contracts and conveyancers request evidence of compliance.

Getting compliant before listing helps you:

Avoid settlement delays

Reduce buyer objections or renegotiation

Present your home as safe, prepared, and well maintained

Remove one more thing from your sale checklist

PCA Property Managers 09
PCA Property Managers 09

State-by-State

Smoke Alarm Requirements

Smoke alarm rules vary across Australia. Choose your state below to see what applies when selling your home — including compliance expectations and common risks if alarms aren’t up to standard.

Most detailed sale-related requirements

Queensland has some of the most comprehensive smoke alarm legislation in Australia, and it regularly forms part of the contract and settlement process.

What’s required:

  • Photoelectric smoke alarms compliant with Australian Standard AS 3786
  • Alarms must be interconnected
  • installed:
    • Every bedroom
    • In hallways connecting bedrooms
    • On every level of the home
  • Alarms must be less than 10 years old

How it affects your sale:

  • Sellers are required to disclose compliance status
  • Buyers may seek a price adjustment at settlement if alarms are not compliant
  • Incorrect declarations can create legal risk

Why timing matters:

Leaving this until settlement can lead to delays, negotiation pressure, or unexpected costs.

PCA can inspect, upgrade and provide compliance documentation before you list.

Working, compliant alarms are expected

In NSW, sellers must ensure smoke alarms are installed and functioning in line with fire safety requirements.

What’s required:

  • Smoke alarms installed on each level of the home
  • Correct placement near sleeping areas
  • Alarms must comply with Australian Standards
  • Alarms must be properly maintained and working

How it affects your sale:

  • Building and pest inspections often flag outdated or poorly located alarms
  • Buyers may request rectification or proof of compliance before settlement

How it affects your sale:

Building and pest inspections often flag outdated or poorly located alarms

Why timing matters:

Last-minute upgrades can delay buyer sign-off or trigger negotiation.

PCA checks what you have and upgrades only what’s needed.

General safety compliance expectations

In the ACT, smoke alarms fall under broader residential safety and building compliance expectations.

What’s required:

  • Working smoke alarms installed and maintained correctly
  • Compliance with relevant Australian Standards

How it affects your sale:

  • Building and pest inspections often flag outdated or poorly located alarms
  • Buyers may request rectification or proof of compliance before settlement

How it affects your sale:

While a sale-specific certificate isn’t always mandatory, buyers and conveyancers often expect evidence that alarms are compliant and functional

Why timing matters:

Issues identified late in the process can create avoidable settlement friction.

PCA provides inspections, upgrades and clear documentation for peace of mind.

Working alarms are mandatory — fines can apply

South Australian law requires smoke alarms to be installed and working in residential properties.

What’s required:

  • Smoke alarms installed and functioning
  • Compliance with Australian Standards
  • Ongoing maintenance by the property owner

How it affects your sale:

  • Building inspections may flag non-compliance
  • Buyers may request repairs or confirmation before settlement

How it affects your sale:

While a sale-specific certificate isn’t always mandatory, buyers and conveyancers often expect evidence that alarms are compliant and functional

Penalties & risks:

  • Fines may apply for non-compliance
  • More commonly, delays or buyer negotiation pressure

PCA helps ensure your alarms are compliant before inspections occur.

Talk to An Expert

Four-step process

How PCA Makes Smoke Alarm Compliance Easy

Step

01

Book a Compliance Check

Tell us your property details and your sale timeframe.

Step

02

Professional Inspection

Our qualified technicians assess your existing alarms and identify what’s needed to meet current requirements.

Step

03

Upgrade if Required

We install compliant smoke alarms where needed — no unnecessary upselling.

Step

04

Compliance Documentation

You receive clear documentation you can share with your agent, conveyancer or buyer.

Designed for Home Owners

Selling Their Property

PCA works with thousands of property owners, agents and conveyancers across Australia. We understand the pressure of sale timelines and make compliance straightforward.

Fixed pricing

Fast turnaround

Licensed technicians

Clear reporting

No guesswork

FAQ’s

We want to help you by giving frequently asked questions

Not always by law — but buyers, contracts and conveyancers often request evidence of compliance.

Yes. Smoke alarms are commonly flagged during inspections or contract review.

Before listing is best. It avoids last-minute stress and buyer negotiation.

Talk to An Expert