From 1 January 2027, every dwelling in Queensland must comply with the smoke alarm standard that has applied to homes sold or leased since 2022. If you own and live in your home and have not touched the alarms since you moved in, this is the deadline that affects you.
What the law requires
The Fire and Emergency Services (Domestic Smoke Alarms) Amendment Act 2016 sets a single standard for all Queensland homes. A compliant home has smoke alarms that are:
- Photoelectric. Ionisation alarms are no longer acceptable. Photoelectric alarms detect the smouldering, smoky fires that kill people in their sleep, and they are far less prone to nuisance alarms from cooking.
- Less than 10 years old. The manufacture date is printed on the back of every alarm.
- Interconnected. When one alarm detects smoke, every alarm in the house sounds. Interconnection can be wired or wireless (RF).
- Powered by 240V mains or a non-removable 10-year lithium battery. Alarms with a replaceable 9V battery do not comply.
- Compliant with Australian Standard AS 3786-2014.
Where the alarms must go
One in every bedroom. One in every hallway that connects bedrooms to the rest of the house. If there is no hallway, one between the bedrooms and the rest of the house. At least one on every storey, including storeys without bedrooms. Alarms go on the ceiling, away from corners, air conditioning vents and fans, following the Queensland Fire Department placement rules.
Hardwired or 10-year battery?
Both comply for an existing home. Two cases must be hardwired: new builds and substantial renovations, and the replacement of an existing hardwired alarm. For everyone else it is a choice. Hardwired alarms with battery backup (our Premium option) keep working through blackouts and never need a battery change in their 10-year life. Battery RF alarms (our Basic option) install faster with no ceiling wiring.
Who checks?
There is no inspector knocking on doors in 2027. Compliance is checked at the points where it matters: when you sell (the Form 24 declaration), when you lease (within 30 days before each tenancy), and when you claim on insurance after a fire. A non-compliant home at any of those points is an expensive problem.
What it costs
Vogue prices upgrades per bedroom, supply and install, including GST. Basic Lucci RF-interconnected photoelectric: $295 for a 1 bedroom home up to $1,099 for 6 bedrooms. Premium Emerald EVO hardwired 240V with wall controller and app: $395 to $1,479. See the full table on our smoke alarm page, or use the compliance checker to see where your home stands.
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