Fire Safety Certification in Australia

Fire safety certification isn’t just paperwork, it’s proof that your building’s fire protection systems are working, compliant, and ready when it matters most. This guide breaks down everything property owners, facility managers, and strata managers need to know.

In Australia, certification frameworks such as the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) in NSW and equivalent systems nationwide form the backbone of regulatory compliance, but maintaining compliance with fire safety certification can at times seem confusing.

This guide provides a simplified summary of the requirements, covering certification types, legal obligations, the latest reforms, penalties, and how to simplify the compliance process.

Fire safety certification ensures that every essential fire safety measure, from alarms to sprinklers to fire doors, has been correctly installed, tested, and maintained.

Beyond safety, certification carries major legal, financial, and insurance implications. According to Fire & Rescue NSW’s 2023/24 Annual Report, firefighters attended 140,827 incidents, including 4,000+ building fires where inadequate fire systems were a contributing factor.

Without valid certification, property owners risk:

In other words: certification isn’t red tape, it’s risk protection.

Fire safety certification is the formal verification that a building’s fire protection systems comply with Australian standards and are functioning as designed.

Depending on the jurisdiction, this may involve one or more of the following documents:

Each of these documents is crucial to prove compliance under the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant state regulations.

Achieving and maintaining certification doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A structured approach makes the process efficient and stress-free.

Identify all installed fire safety measures, alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lights, hydrants, doors and confirm the applicable standards.

Ensure the Fire Safety Schedule matches the building’s current configuration and use. Outdated or missing measures can invalidate certification.

Partner with an FPAS-accredited company like Essential Asset & Fire for inspection, maintenance, and reporting.

Document every inspection and test per AS 1851-2012. These logs are vital during annual audits.

Once all measures are tested and compliant, your practitioner issues the AFSS, which must be submitted to your local council and FRNSW.

Keep a copy of your AFSS clearly visible and store all related records securely for at least five years.

Fire safety certification in Australia operates under a multi-layered legal framework, integrating:

While the NCC sets national performance requirements, each state enforces its own certification process and inspection intervals. For example, NSW uses the AFSS framework, whereas Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia operate under different but similar certification systems.

While the documents vary, the core intent is identical: verify that fire protection systems are maintained and ready to perform.

In NSW where many commercial, residential, and government properties are located,  the AFSS is the centrepiece of compliance.

An AFSS must be lodged annually with both the local council and Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW).

It confirms that:

Failure to submit an AFSS on time can result in daily penalties. Councils typically issue penalty notices of $1,000–$4,000 per week overdue, escalating to legal action for persistent offenders.

Only Accredited Practitioners (Fire Safety), recognised by the NSW Building Commission and Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA), are legally authorised to assess, inspect, and sign AFSS documents.

These professionals are trained and accredited under the FPAS (Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme) to perform:

Owners are responsible for engaging independent, accredited professionals. Using an unaccredited contractor can invalidate your certification and expose you to prosecution.

Every certification assessment refers to one or more Australian Standards, depending on the fire safety measure involved. Common standards include:

Understanding which standards apply to your building helps ensure maintenance is scheduled and performed correctly.

Many property owners and strata managers struggle with certification due to fragmented service providers and unclear accountability.
Common issues include:

The NSW Office of the Building Commissioner (ABC), found that 45% of fire safety statements failed initial inspection, often due to documentation or maintenance lapses, not equipment failure.

Non-compliance can be extremely costly.

Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW):

Furthermore, insurers can refuse to pay claims if a building’s fire safety systems are uncertified or overdue for testing.

Following the Lacrosse Building fire (Melbourne, 2014) and Neo200 Apartment fire (2019), insurance premiums and exclusions around compliance have tightened across the industry.

Smart fire technology is revolutionising compliance, moving it from reactive to proactive management.

Modern systems now integrate:

According to Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA), using digital audit tools can reduce administrative compliance workload by up to 40% while improving reliability and evidence tracking.

Essential Asset & Fire integrates these innovations to help clients maintain “always-on compliance”, reducing risk and simplifying audits.

Working with an accredited, multi-disciplinary provider offers significant benefits:

At Essential Asset & Fire, our accredited team handles the full compliance lifecycle, from system testing to certification lodgement, giving you confidence that your building is safe, legal, and fully documented.

Fire safety certification is more than an annual checkbox, it’s a legal obligation and a moral responsibility. In an era of stricter regulations, increased liability, and digital transformation, proactive fire safety management is essential.

Whether you’re managing a commercial office, apartment building, or industrial site, partnering with accredited professionals ensures you’re not just compliant, you’re protected.

Important Disclaimer: This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal or building compliance advice. Always consult a licensed fire safety practitioner and review relevant legislation for your property classification.