Test and tag certification is the training process required to learn how to safely inspect and electrically test portable appliances within your workplace, ensuring they are safe to use. This follows the main standard, the AS/NZS 3760 and other additional relevant standards for certain industries, like the AS/NZS 3012 or the AS/NZS 3551.
All workplaces and business should be performing test and tag, and any business can perform their own testing if an employee has certification and deemed competent.
What it covers:
Certification involves learning theoretical and practical skills, as well as best practices and procedures to perform test and tag with a portable appliance tester (PAT for short). Certification normally covers:
Visual Inspection: learning to visual check the plug, cord and casing of an appliance.
Electrical safety: learning how to stay safe around electricity as well as electrical regulations.
Basic Electrical Theory: Learning fundamentals of electrical theory, such as ohms law and electrical symbols and their meaning.
AS/NZS 3760: They key Australian/New Zealand Standard that deals which provides guidelines for electrical safety and compliance. May also cover aspects of the AS/NZS 3012.
Electrical testing: Learning how to use a PAT tester safely and correctly to perform testing.
Tagging: Learning about tags and what should be on a tag including, test date, retest date, Standard AS/NZS 3760, etc.
Who can get certified
Any individual who demonstrates the necessary skills to prove competency to perform test and tagging.
You DO NOT need to be a qualified electrical worker to perform testing and tagging and become certified.
Certification normally takes place through a recognized training provider, but it isn’t the only way to prove competency and competency may be proven through multiple methods.
Your Typical Course Structure.
Broken into two types; Face-to-face in person course or online course.
Face-to-face:
3-4 hour theory in a classroom setting. Followed by testing practical with a range of PATs. Final practical assessment with trainer who will deem you competent to test and tag.
Online:
3-4 hour self-paced theory modules, followed by an online practical assessment, (depending on provider, may be a group or one-on-one). Assessed by the trainer and deemed competent to test and tag.
What you get:
Upon completion of your course and being deemed competent, you will be issued an industry leading certificate proving certification, as well as an ID card (depending on provider, may be photo or non-photo ID card).
Why its important:
It ensures that testing is being performed correctly and safely.
Ensures compliance for business needing to perform test and tag and electrical safety.
Ensures best practices and being perform when testing.
How to choose provider for certification:
Look for a provider that emphasizes safety not just compliance
Choose a provider who offers one-on-one assessments for online certification
Choose a provider who has experience testing and tagging
Choose a provider that doesn’t cut corners- do they provide a photo ID or non-photo ID?
Book Your Test & Tag Training
With the end of the year fast approaching and the busy season leading into Christmas, now is a great time to start planning your training for 2026.
Why not explore Metrotest’s full range of training courses? If you prefer not to wait for an in-person session, you can jump into one of our online Test & Tag courses, available all year round — anytime, anywhere.
