Smoke alarms in Western Australia (2026)

In short: In Western Australia the owner must ensure compliant, working smoke alarms when a dwelling is transferred, rented, used as short-term rental or hired. The lessor or owner must keep alarms working, connected to mains power and within their expiry or 10 years.

Notes

• Western Australia ties the duty to events: transfer of ownership (reg 56, new owner within 12 months under reg 57), a residential tenancy, short-term rental accommodation, or hire (regs 58-59). The duty applies "to the extent practicable". Alarms must be less than 10 years old (or within any expiry date), in working order and permanently connected to mains power unless a 10-year non-removable battery applies. Interconnection is not required for dwellings permitted before 1 May 2015 (reg 60(4)). Penalty on the regulations: a fine of $5,000.
• Regulation 60(2)(a) refers to the deemed-to-satisfy provisions of the Building Code applicable at installation; the number and locations were not read from the Code.
• Regulation 62 also requires the lessor or owner to keep alarms permanently connected to mains power (or with a 10-year non-removable battery) and to ensure no alarm has passed its expiry date or is more than 10 years old.
• No single start date applies: the duty arises on transfer, tenancy or hire. The amending instrument SL 2024/123 (short-term rental) was named in the regulations but its commencement date was not read.

Sources

1. Government of Western Australia (State Law Publisher): Building Regulations 2012 (As at 1 October 2026, version 04-af0-00; regs 55-62) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Western Australia

• E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
• CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
• Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
• Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
• Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
• Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
• E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
• FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
• Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
• Home educationNature of the parental duty: School or registration
• Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
• MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA licence
• Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
• Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
• Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or not touched
• Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
• Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
• Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18

Related pages

• Smoke alarms in Australia (2026)

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