The short answer
Every Queensland home - including existing private homes, townhouses and units - must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. They must be:
- In every bedroom, in the hallways and on every level of the home.
- Interconnected, so that when one alarm goes off they all go off.
- Photoelectric, complying with AS 3786-2014.
Homes that are sold or leased have had to meet the rules since 1 January 2022, and new and substantially renovated homes since 1 January 2017.
How many smoke alarms does your home need?
Queensland homes need an interconnected photoelectric alarm in every bedroom, in the hallways and on every level, and a storey with no bedroom needs one in the most likely path of travel to the exit. Count yours below; your electrician confirms the exact positions.
4 interconnected alarms
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Hallways joining bedrooms to the rest of the home
- 1
- Storeys with no bedroom or hallway alarm
- 0
- Price row
- $100 to $250 per alarm
Supplied and installed by a licensed electrician: $400 to $1,000.
The three stages
| From | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2017 | New homes and substantially renovated homes. |
| 1 January 2022 | Homes that are sold or leased, including a new lease or a lease renewal. |
| 1 January 2027 | Every home, including existing private homes, townhouses and units. |
Where the alarms go
An alarm in every bedroom, in the hallways, and on every level. On a storey with no bedrooms, at least one alarm goes in the most likely path of travel to exit the home.
Replacing old alarms
- An alarm made more than 10 years ago, or one that does not work when tested, must be replaced with a photoelectric alarm complying with Australian Standard 3786–2014.
- A 240-volt alarm must be replaced with a 240-volt alarm, and an existing hardwired alarm with a hardwired photoelectric alarm.
- An alarm not powered by 240 volts may be replaced with a tamper-proof, 10-year battery alarm.
- Installing or replacing hardwired alarms needs a licensed electrician. Some compliant alarms, such as wireless alarms, need no electrical work to install.
Selling a home
A seller must lodge a Form 24 stating that the smoke alarm requirements have been met.
Landlords and tenants
Since 1 January 2022, landlords must have interconnected photoelectric alarms installed from the start of any new lease or lease renewal. The landlord or property manager must test the alarms within 30 days before a tenancy starts, including a renewed tenancy, and tenants must test and clean them at least once every 12 months during the tenancy.
What smoke alarms cost
From our electrician cost guide:
- Smoke alarm (supply + install): $100 to $250 per alarm
- Call-out / service fee: $50 to $150 flat
- Electrician (hourly rate): $80 to $150 per hr
Frequently asked questions
When do the new smoke alarm laws start in QLD?
Every Queensland home must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. Homes that are sold or leased have had to comply since 1 January 2022.
Where do smoke alarms need to be installed in QLD?
In every bedroom, in the hallways and on every level. A storey with no bedrooms needs at least one alarm in the most likely path of travel to the exit.
Do I need a smoke alarm compliance certificate to sell in QLD?
A seller must lodge a Form 24 stating that the smoke alarm requirements have been met.
What are a QLD landlord's smoke alarm duties?
Interconnected photoelectric alarms from the start of every new lease or renewal since 1 January 2022, and testing within 30 days before each tenancy starts. Tenants test and clean them at least once every 12 months.
Do I need an electrician to install smoke alarms in QLD?
For hardwired alarms, yes - installing or replacing them needs a licensed electrician. Some compliant alarms, such as wireless alarms, need no electrical work.
Can I use battery smoke alarms in QLD?
An alarm that is not powered by 240 volts may be replaced with a tamper-proof, 10-year battery alarm, but a 240-volt or hardwired alarm must be replaced with the same kind.
Compare quotes from local licensed electricians to supply and install compliant smoke alarms.
Get smoke alarm quotes →Sources
This guide summarises the law; it is not legal advice. The rules for your property can turn on its date, its council and any approval it carries - check with your council or the state regulator below. Checked against these pages in October 2026:
- Reminder to install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (qbcc.qld.gov.au) · www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/news/reminder-install-interconnected-photoelectric-smoke-ala
- Buying and installing smoke alarms (qld.gov.au) · www.qld.gov.au/community/fair-trading/consumer-rights-complaints-and-scams/buyin
- Renovating and improving (qld.gov.au) · www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/selling-a-home/before-you-put-your-hom
- Smoke alarms (qld.gov.au) · www.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/fire/smoke-alarms
- Smoke alarms | Residential Tenancies Authority (rta.qld.gov.au) · www.rta.qld.gov.au/during-a-tenancy/maintenance/smoke-alarms