The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 requires the testing and tagging of portable electrical equipment or a portable RCD on any construction or demolition site to be carried out by a competent person or  a licensed electrician.

A competent person, who does not have an electrical qualification, using a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) to test and tag electrical equipment must be able to demonstrate to the employer, main contractor or owner of the electrical equipment that he or she

• has successfully completed a nationally accredited training course, run by an registered training organisation, on the use of a PAT for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment;
• has been issued with a statement of attainment or certificate from the registered training organisation that indicates the registration number of the registered training organisation;
• has the appropriate PAT and is competent in its safe and effective use;
• uses a PAT that has been regularly checked and verified as per the manufacturer’s instructions;
• has carried out both visual inspections and electrical tests on electrical equipment in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012:2003; and
• has kept, in a logbook, proof of competency and records of testing activity carried out.

For detailed information please see Guide to testing and tagging portable electrical equipment and residual current devices at workplaces.