Timeline of the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules, and What’s Coming next

AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules) is the core technical standard used to guide the design, construction and verification of electrical installations in Australia and New Zealand. Standards Australia The current edition (AS/NZS 3000:2018) was developed by the joint committee EL-001 and published on 26 June 2018.

AS/NZS 3000 is periodically updated via amendments and (less often) new editions. Since 2018, three formal amendments have been published.

A Brief History of AS/NZS 3000:2018 and Its Amendments

Amendment 1 — January 2020

Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 3000:2018 was published in January 2020 (date-stamped “AMDT No. 1 JAN 2020” and separately referenced as published 31 January 2020). 

This amendment applied across a wide spread of clauses and sections (as listed in the amendment’s summary). 

Key changes included (examples that are directly evidenced in the amendment text):

• Updates affecting service protective device wording/illustration (e.g., unprotected consumer mains “not protected by a service protective device as shown in Figure 2.1”).
• Addition of references to AS/NZS 5139 in the battery storage context (Clause 4.12.2 note list).
• Important compliance note: implementation/adoption dates are set by electrical safety regulators and can vary by jurisdiction. This article therefore treats publication dates as fixed, and avoids claiming one universal “effective from” date. 

Amendment 2 — April 2021

This amendment included significant changes affecting:

• RCD selection and application, including a transition away from Type AC RCDs for new installations.
• Switchboard accessibility (Clause 2.10.2.2 is included in the amendment scope).
• Testing/verification, including recording of test results (Section 8 changes are included in scope).

Amendment 2 contains a 24-month transitional arrangement from the publication date, after which Type AC RCDs “shall not be installed.” Multiple regulators and network/public safety guidance reflect this as from 30 April 2023 (sometimes stated as 1 May 2023). 

In WA, the WA Government published guidance that AS/NZS 3000:2018 Amendment 2 became mandatory from 30 October 2021 (notably in the context of switchboard verification requirements linked to Clause 2.10.3.2). 

However, the amendment itself explicitly advises users to consult regulators to confirm implementation dates for requirements with transitional arrangements. 

Amendment 3 — May 2023

Amendment 3 was published 19 May 2023.

This amendment applies mainly to switchboards/switchgear-related clauses (as listed in the amendment’s scope).

A widely-cited practical impact is the removal of references to AS/NZS 60884 and the AS/NZS 3439 series in relevant clauses, except for clause 2.10.3.2

Preparing for the Next Edition (currently targeted around 2027)

Standards Australia proposal material for a revision project (P-004717-01) states that throughout 2024, EL-001 conducted an in-depth scoping exercise, informed by 500+ items of feedback, and is proposing a revision to address known issues and modernise requirements.

Industry reporting (Electrical Connection, 30 June 2025) indicates EL-001 is aiming to:

• release a draft for public comment in Q3 2026, and
• deliver the next revision by mid-2027 (targets, not guaranteed dates).

Release Timeline

Q3 2026: Draft AS/NZS 3000 available for public comment
Mid-2027: Final edition scheduled for release

This staged approach gives the industry time to review, comment, and prepare for any new requirements.

What the 2027 Revision Is Expected to Include

Based on the published Standards Australia proposal scope, the revision work includes (examples):

• Updated and clarified definitions
• Review how “repair” vs “alteration” is defined and applied, including mandatory requirements under repair/alteration/replacement conditions.
• Clarify “switchboard” and define “control cabinet” to address misunderstanding.
• RCD clause structure and Type AC positioning
• Simplify clause structure for readability, and relocate how Type AC is treated (with an explicit note that state legislation may treat Type AC use differently).
• Emerging technology and energy systems
  Incorporation of requirements/guidance for new and emerging technology, plus stronger IEC alignment as a stated objective.
• Proposed updates to earthing to better support alternative earthing systems and emerging energy sources, including references to technologies like solar, wind, battery, and EV-related considerations in specific contexts.

Stay Prepared With ECA WA Business Membership

Staying compliant and informed has never been more important. As an ECA WA Business Member, you get access to the Technical Knowledge Base (TKB). The TKB is our continually updated, industry-trusted resource that reflects the latest amendments and compliance requirements as soon as they are released.

Because adoption and transitional requirements can differ by jurisdiction and because amendments may introduce transitional arrangements, WA contractors benefit from WA-specific interpretation and compliance support, including tracking local regulator updates and how they interact with the Wiring Rules and related standards. (For example, WA’s own announcement set the WA mandatory date for Amendment 2.)

Our technical team monitors every development from Standards Australia, EL-001, EnergySafety and WorkSafe so you always have accurate, up-to-date information at your fingertips. From Wiring Rules updates to safety alerts, templates, and installation guidance, members receive the practical support needed to stay compliant and operate with confidence.