Queensland’s 2027 Smoke Alarm Compliance

Ensure your property meets new safety standards

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Protect your family—or risk legal penalties

Fires can spread in less than three minutes. To protect your family, Queensland law now requires every home to have a working, interconnected smoke alarm system—because giving you and your loved ones the best chance of escape isn’t optional, it’s the law.

At Foxtone Andy’s CCTV, we make compliance with the Queensland Government’s new smoke alarm laws simple. We supply and install the right alarms in the right places, giving you peace of mind that your home is safe and legally protected.

We’re here for homes across Brisbane, Logan, the Gold Coast, and Ipswich, helping families stay safe and meet the latest smoke alarm requirements.

Smoke Alarm Compliance 2027

From 1 January 2022, all properties being sold, leased, or renewed for rent must comply with Queensland’s smoke alarm legislation. By 1 January 2027, every home in the state—regardless of whether it’s rented, sold, or owner-occupied—must also comply.

This icon shows an outdated and less effective ionisation alarm.

* Old ionisation alarms must be replaced with compliant photoelectric models.

Here’s what’s required:

Photoelectric alarms only (AS 3786-2014 compliant).
No ionisation alarms—these are outdated and less reliable.
Powered correctly:

Hardwired to the mains power with a backup battery, OR
10-year, non-removable lithium battery (must be replaced after 10 years).

Interconnected: if one alarm sounds, all alarms must sound.
Placement rules:

In every bedroom
In hallways that connect bedrooms to the rest of the home
On every storey of the dwelling (even if there are no bedrooms)
If there’s no hallway, the alarm must be placed near the part of the home where people sleep

The requirements may sound technical, but that’s our specialty. We know where each alarm should go and which models meet the law, so your home ends up fully protected without the guesswork.

Who needs to comply?

Tenants – You are responsible for testing alarms and reporting any issues to your landlord or property manager.
Landlords – You must upgrade before you can rent or renew a lease.
Homeowners – All homes must be compliant by 2027.
Sellers – A property cannot legally be sold without compliant alarms.

Learn more about the full regulations and installation requirements here.

Why compliance matters

Safety first: Photoelectric alarms detect smouldering fires earlier, giving you more time to escape.
Insurance protection: Non-compliance can affect your ability to claim in the event of a fire.
Avoid penalties: Landlords face fines and legal issues if properties don’t meet standards.
Peace of mind: When alarms are interconnected, you’re alerted no matter where the fire starts.

Let us help you secure your property

Our licensed technicians can handle everything for you—from supply to installation to compliance checks.

✔ Supply and installation of compliant photoelectric alarms

✔ 10-year lithium-powered alarms

✔ Interconnected alarms—when one sounds, they all sound

✔ Full compliance upgrades for homes, rentals, and properties for sale

✔ Professional placement for maximum safety

✔ Testing and guidance so you know how your alarms work

✔ Replacement service when your alarms reach the end of their 10-year life

Why you should act now

Protect your family today—don’t wait until your deadline. Every moment you delay leaves your home at risk and your compliance in question. Waiting could also mean:

Higher installation costs as demand increases
Long waiting times for installers
Risk of being uninsured in the meantime

Upgrading now ensures your family is protected when it matters.

Take the next step

Safety isn’t optional. Compliance isn’t either. Keep your family covered—book with Foxtone Andy’s CCTV now.

Get a Quote | Book Now

Frequently asked questions

Who needs to comply with Queensland’s smoke alarm laws right now?

New and substantially renovated homes, rental properties, and homes being sold already come under the strict new laws. These properties must already have compliant photoelectric smoke alarms that are correctly positioned and interconnected.

If your home falls into one of these categories, 2027 is not your deadline—the requirements already apply to you.

Who can wait until 2027 to upgrade their smoke alarms?

Nobody. New Year’s Day 2027 is the deadline for all homes, not the starting date. By then, every home in Queensland—including owner-occupied homes, regardless of when they were built—must already have compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed. Your upgrade needs to be completed before the deadline, not started when it arrives.

Homes that do not meet these requirements will be in breach of Queensland law.

Where do smoke alarms need to be installed?

Smoke alarms must be installed:

In every bedroom
In hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home
On every level of the property
If there is no hallway, between the sleeping area and the rest of the home
On storeys without bedrooms, in the most likely path to exit the home

Correct placement is essential to meet Queensland legislation.

Do I need hardwired smoke alarms?

Not always. In existing homes, you can use either:

Hardwired photoelectric smoke alarms with a backup battery, or
Photoelectric smoke alarms powered by a sealed, non-removable 10-year lithium battery.

New homes and major renovations generally need hardwired smoke alarms installed by a licensed electrician.

What does "interconnected" mean?

Interconnected smoke alarms communicate with each other, so when one alarm detects smoke, every alarm in the home sounds. This provides earlier warning throughout the property, even if the fire starts in another room.

Can I keep my existing ionisation smoke alarms?

In short, no. They won’t count towards compliance. Your home still needs the full number of required photoelectric smoke alarms, correctly positioned and interconnected. Keeping old ionisation alarms alongside your new system simply adds unnecessary complexity without providing any compliance benefit.

Rather than leaving old ionisation alarms on the ceiling or forgotten in a drawer, it makes sense to dispose of them appropriately. Ionisation alarms contain a small amount of radioactive material, and a professional installer can take care of their removal and disposal as part of your upgrade.

Who can install smoke alarms?

Hardwired (240V) smoke alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician. Battery-powered 10-year smoke alarms may not require electrical installation, but professional installation helps ensure your alarms are correctly positioned and fully compliant with Queensland legislation.

How often should smoke alarms be tested or replaced?

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly using the test button and cleaned regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Any smoke alarm older than 10 years, damaged, or not functioning correctly should be replaced immediately.

Who is responsible for smoke alarm compliance in a rental property?

Landlords are responsible for ensuring rental properties have compliant smoke alarms installed before a tenancy begins or is renewed. During the tenancy, tenants are responsible for testing the alarms regularly and reporting any faults to the landlord or property manager.

Why should I upgrade before the 2027 deadline?

Waiting until you get closer to the New Year’s Day 2027 deadline could mean you face increased installation costs and longer booking times as demand grows across the security industry. Upgrading early helps ensure your home is protected sooner while giving you peace of mind that your property is better protected and complies with Queensland’s smoke alarm requirements.

Can Foxtone Andy's CCTV help make my home compliant?

Yes. We supply, install, and test compliant photoelectric smoke alarms, ensuring they’re correctly placed and interconnected where required. Our experienced team can help homeowners, landlords, and property sellers meet Queensland’s 2027 smoke alarm requirements with confidence.

Can I replace my existing hardwired smoke alarm with a wireless alarm?

No. If your home already has hardwired (240V mains-powered) smoke alarms, they must be replaced with new hardwired photoelectric smoke alarms when they reach the end of their service life or no longer comply with Queensland’s smoke alarm legislation. A hardwired smoke alarm cannot simply be removed without installing a replacement.

The only exception is if the entire hardwired circuit is permanently decommissioned, including removing the cable from the roof space back to the electrical switchboard. This work must be carried out by a licensed electrician. Otherwise, the replacement smoke alarm must remain hardwired; it cannot be replaced with a wireless battery-powered alarm.

How do I know if my home is ready for the 2027 smoke alarm laws?

If you’re not completely sure, don’t wait until the deadline—or until after a fire—to find out. Foxtone Andy’s CCTV can assess your existing alarms, identify what needs to be replaced or added, and install a compliant interconnected system in the correct locations. One visit can take your home from “I think we’re compliant” to ready for 2027.