If you’re a landlord or property manager in Melbourne, here’s the short version: Victorian law requires a gas safety check on every rental property with gas appliances, at least once every two years. It isn’t optional, and it isn’t limited to newer leases.
From 13 October 2026, that second part changes. The two-year rule starts applying to every rental agreement in the state, including long-running tenancies that have never had a check.
We’ll walk through exactly what that means further down, along with what the check covers, who’s allowed to do it, and what it costs to get done properly, so you can book with Melbourne Gas Plumber knowing exactly what you’re paying for.
A gas safety check is a legally required inspection of all the gas installations and appliances at a rental property.
It has to be carried out by a licensed or registered gasfitter who holds a Type A gas appliance servicing endorsement, the specific qualification for servicing appliances like heaters, cooktops and hot water units.
The requirement comes from the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, made under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. The reasoning behind it is simple: gas appliances that aren’t properly maintained can leak, spill carbon monoxide, or develop faults that put tenants at risk without anyone noticing until it’s too late.
Every two years. That’s the rule for any rental property with gas installations or appliances, and it isn’t negotiable.
Since 29 March 2021, this has applied to new rental agreements, and to any fixed-term lease of more than five years that rolled over into a periodic tenancy after that date. If that’s your situation, you should already have a check booked in every two years.
This is the detail most landlords haven’t heard yet. From 13 October 2026, Consumer Affairs Victoria confirms that mandatory gas and electrical safety checks every two years will apply to all rental agreements, regardless of when the tenancy started.
In practice, that closes a gap that’s existed since 2021. A long-running tenancy that predates March 2021 and has never had a gas safety check loses that exemption. You’ll need to arrange one.
For anyone managing more than one property, now’s a good time to check your records rather than wait for the deadline. Some tenancies may have slipped through simply because they were never required to have a check before.
Only a licensed or registered gasfitter with a Type A gas appliance servicing endorsement can carry out the check.
Registered practitioners can also do this work under appropriate supervision, so it’s worth asking whoever you book exactly what they’re qualified for.
Plumbing and gasfitting licensing in Victoria now sits with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which replaced the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) on 1 July 2025. If you want to confirm someone’s licence before booking, the BPC website lets you search and check a practitioner’s current registration and disciplinary history.
Melbourne Gas Plumber’s team holds the right endorsements for this work. Our licensed gas fitting services cover gas safety checks for rental properties across Melbourne.
Legal responsibility for the gas safety check always sits with the rental provider, the landlord, even when a property manager handles the booking.
Property managers commonly coordinate the check and keep records centrally across a portfolio, which is genuinely useful when you own more than one property.
But if a check gets missed, it’s the landlord who carries the liability, not the agency managing the property.
It’s worth confirming with your property manager exactly how and when checks are being booked, rather than assuming it’s covered. For more on where responsibilities sit day to day, see our guide on landlord and tenant gas responsibilities.
Once a licensed gasfitter arrives, here’s what the inspection actually involves. It’s a full check of the installation and every connected appliance, not just a quick look at the meter:
If anything smells off between scheduled checks, don’t wait for the next one. Our gas leak detection service handles urgent concerns any time, day or night.
The check covers every gas appliance connected to the property, typically:
When a gasfitter finds a safety-critical fault, such as a gas leak, spillage of combustion gases, or overheating, they’re required to notify the rental provider and make the installation safe immediately.
That might mean repairing the fault, isolating the appliance, or disconnecting it altogether.
If the rental provider won’t agree to the fix or the isolation, the gasfitter is required to notify Energy Safe Victoria directly. Most checks don’t turn up anything this serious, but it’s worth knowing the process exists so a refusal doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone involved.
A failed check results in a report listing what needs fixing. Those repairs generally need to be completed by a licensed gasfitter, who will then issue a Certificate of Compliance for the work, usually within a few business days, before the property is safe to re-let.
Skipping the check altogether carries its own risks. Consumer Affairs Victoria can take enforcement action, and disputes can be escalated through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria or, from there, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Rental providers found to have breached their duties can also end up listed on Consumer Affairs Victoria’s public Rental Non-Compliance Register.
On top of that, if something goes wrong at the property and there’s no valid check on record, you may run into trouble with an insurance claim down the line.
You need to keep a written record of every gas safety check: the gasfitter’s name and licence or registration number, the date it was carried out, and the results, including anything that needed repair. Hold onto that record until the next check replaces it.
Once a renter puts in a written request for that record, you have seven days to provide it. And if a check hasn’t been done in the past two years by the time a new renter moves in, you’re required to arrange one as soon as practicable rather than waiting for the next scheduled date.
Across Melbourne, standalone gas safety checks generally sit somewhere in the range of $220 to $400 plus GST, often at the lower end if it’s bundled with an electrical and smoke alarm check in the same visit.
The exact figure depends on the property size, how many appliances need servicing, and whether any repairs come up during the inspection.
Melbourne Gas Plumber quotes upfront with no hidden costs, plus a $0 callout fee. If you’re not sure when your last check was done, get in touch and we’ll help you find out and get booked in.
Every two years, carried out by a licensed or registered gasfitter with a Type A servicing endorsement, under the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021.
From 13 October 2026, yes, it applies to every rental agreement regardless of when it started. Before that date, it applied to agreements entered into or rolled over after 29 March 2021.
A gas safety check is the recurring two-yearly inspection required for rental properties. A Certificate of Compliance is issued after specific gas installation or repair work, certifying that particular job meets the required standard.
Yes. If they ask in writing, the rental provider has seven days to provide the most recent record.
The rental provider needs to arrange one as soon as practicable. From 13 October 2026, this becomes a firm requirement for every rental agreement, including long-running tenancies that have never been checked.
A gas safety check isn’t a box you tick once and forget. It’s a recurring legal obligation every two years, and from October 2026 that applies no matter when your tenancy started.
Whether your rental property is due for its two-yearly check or you’re not sure when the last one happened, Melbourne Gas Plumber’s licensed gasfitters can get you compliant fast.
Book a gas safety check with upfront pricing and no hidden costs, with same-day service available across Melbourne if you call before 10:30 AM.
Every week, we share practical insights based on the combined knowledge and real-world experience of our team. Our articles cover gas fitting, gas safety, appliance installation, hot water systems, maintenance and everyday plumbing issues, so you can make well-informed decisions about your gas plumbing needs.
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