Queensland's smoke alarm law, explained.

The deadline

Every home, townhouse, unit and manufactured home in Queensland must have compliant smoke alarms by 1 January 2027. Registered caravans and motorhomes need a photoelectric alarm on the ceiling by the same date.

Some homes already have to comply: homes sold or leased since 1 January 2022, and new builds and substantial renovations since 2017.

What a compliant alarm is

• Photoelectric, meeting Australian Standard AS 3786-2014 (it's printed on the alarm)
• Interconnected with every other alarm in the home, so when one sounds they all sound
• Powered by the main power supply (hardwired) or a non-removable 10-year battery
• No ionisation sensor
• Less than 10 years old

Where they must go

• In every bedroom
• In every hallway or room connecting bedrooms
• On every storey of the home

Hardwired alarms and certificates

Hardwired alarms are connected to mains power and must be installed by a qualified electrician. If your current alarms are hardwired, the replacements must also be hardwired.

Whichever alarms you have, you’ll want a smoke alarm compliance certificate as proof your home meets the rules. Agents, landlords and buyers ask for it, and a licensed install comes with one.

How to check yours today

• Find the AS 3786-2014 marking on each alarm
• Check it's photoelectric, not ionisation
• Press the test button on one alarm: every alarm should sound
• Check the manufacture date: replace anything 10 years or older
• Count them against the rooms above: bedrooms, connecting hallways, every storey

Keeping them working

Queensland Fire Department advice: test your alarms every month, clean away dust and insects with a vacuum or brush, don't block or cover them, and never paint over them.

Source: Queensland Fire Department, "Smoke alarm laws are changing in Queensland" fact sheet (QFE00206, May 2026), and qld.gov.au. Checked 7 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.