Queensland's smoke alarm legislation is evolving and the deadlines are firm. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, property manager, or selling your home, here's everything you need to know to stay compliant and avoid penalties.
By 1 January 2027, every Queensland home must have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms — one in every bedroom, in the hallways that link bedrooms to the rest of the home, and at least one on each storey. Rentals and homes being sold have needed them since 2022. Coastal Smoke Alarms installs compliant alarms across the Gold Coast from $99 + GST each.
| Location in the home | What’s required |
|---|---|
| Inside every bedroom | One in each bedroom |
| Hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home | One in each connecting hallway |
| Where bedrooms aren’t served by a hallway | Between the bedrooms and the rest of the dwelling |
| Every storey of the home | At least one, even with no bedrooms |
Your exact number depends on layout, not just bedroom count. Bedrooms at opposite ends of a single-storey home may each need their own hallway alarm — so a 3-bedroom home can need 5 alarms, not 4. Our online quote works out your precise count.
Queensland legislation requires specific types of smoke alarms, installed in specific locations, meeting specific standards. Here's the full breakdown.
All smoke alarms must be photoelectric. Ionisation alarms and dual ionisation/photoelectric alarms are not permitted under QLD legislation.
Every alarm must comply with Australian Standard 3786-2014. This marking should be visible on the body of the alarm.
All smoke alarms in the dwelling must be interconnected so that when one alarm activates, all alarms sound simultaneously. This can be achieved via hardwiring or wireless connection.
Alarms must be either hardwired to mains power (installed by a licensed electrician) or powered by a non-removable 10-year lithium battery. A combination of both types is permitted.
Smoke alarms must be replaced before their expiry date. All smoke alarms have a maximum lifespan of 10 years from date of manufacture.
A smoke alarm must be installed in each bedroom of the dwelling, on every storey.
Smoke alarms must be installed in hallways that connect bedrooms to the rest of the dwelling.
Where there is no hallway, a smoke alarm must be installed between the bedrooms and other parts of the storey.
If there are no bedrooms on a storey, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in the most likely path of travel to exit the dwelling.
Alarms must not be installed within prescribed exclusion zones — minimum distances from ceiling corners, light fittings, air-conditioning vents, and ceiling fans must be maintained.
Since January 2022, all rental properties must have fully compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms. Landlords must also ensure alarms are tested and cleaned within 30 days before each new tenancy or renewal.
Failing to install or test compliant alarms is an offence under the Fire Services Act 1990 — each duty carries a maximum penalty of 5 penalty units (about $863) — so the property needs to be brought up to standard before it's leased.
Get Compliant NowIf you're selling, the property must meet the smoke alarm standard, and you declare this on a Form 24 as part of the transfer.
Under the standard sale contract, if the alarms aren't compliant at settlement the buyer can claim an adjustment of 0.15% of the purchase price — $1,125 on a $750,000 sale. It's a contractual adjustment, not a government fine, but it's real money off your sale.
Pre-Sale ComplianceBy January 1, 2027, all owner-occupied homes must meet the same stringent standards as rental properties. This means interconnected photoelectric alarms in every bedroom, hallways, and on every storey.
If you're substantially renovating your property, you must comply immediately — regardless of the 2027 deadline.
Book AssessmentLandlords are responsible for installing compliant smoke alarms. As a tenant, you are responsible for testing and cleaning each smoke alarm at least once every 12 months and replacing flat batteries.
You must not remove a smoke alarm or its battery, or do anything to reduce its effectiveness. Report any alarm issues to your property manager or landlord promptly.
Tenant FAQsProperty owners must ensure compliance with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014 and the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Applicable to all states.
Fire Services Act 1990, Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, Building Regulation 2021, and Electrical Safety Act 2002 (for hardwired installations).
Queensland Fire Department (fire.qld.gov.au) and the Residential Tenancies Authority (rta.qld.gov.au) for tenancy-specific obligations.
It depends on your layout, not just the number of bedrooms. The law requires one alarm in every bedroom, one in each hallway connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home, and at least one on every storey. Bedrooms at opposite ends of a single-storey home can each need their own hallway alarm — so a 3-bedroom home may need 5 alarms rather than 4. Our online quote works out your exact number in a couple of minutes.
The law requires your alarms to be compliant, not that you buy paperwork. But when selling you declare compliance on the Form 24, and for a new or renewed lease the alarms must be tested within 30 days beforehand. A documented report ($119 + GST) gives you that evidence.
Usually a mix, and the legislation decides. If an existing alarm is 240V hardwired, its replacement must also be 240V (an electrician’s job by law). Additional alarms needed to meet the placement rules can be 10-year wireless lithium models, interconnected with the rest. We install both at the same price.
The requirement sits in Queensland’s Fire Services Act 1990, with a maximum penalty of 5 penalty units (about $863 as at July 2026). More practically, interconnected photoelectric alarms are the difference between a whole household waking up and one end of the house sleeping through it.
New and renovated homes have had to comply since 2017, and all sold or leased properties since 1 January 2022. From 1 January 2027 every Queensland home — including owner-occupied — must have interconnected photoelectric alarms.