Queensland smoke alarm laws: what changes on 1 January 2027

Queensland has had the toughest smoke alarm rules in the country since 2017, but until now most owner-occupiers have not had to do anything. That changes on 1 January 2027. From that date the standard that already applies to rentals and homes being sold applies to every house, townhouse and unit in the state, including the one you live in.

This guide explains what the law asks for, where each alarm has to go, how the rules differ for owners, landlords and sellers, and what a typical Gold Coast home costs to bring up to standard. It is written by a licensed electrician who installs these systems every week.

What changes on 1 January 2027

The rules sit in Queensland's fire safety legislation and were phased in over ten years. New homes and major renovations have been built to the standard since 1 January 2017. Rentals had to comply from 1 January 2022 at each new or renewed lease, and so did any home being sold. The final stage is owner-occupied homes, which have until 1 January 2027.

After that date there is no phase-in left. If your home still has old ionisation alarms, alarms that are not linked together, or no alarm in the bedrooms, it does not comply.

Four things every alarm must do

Where smoke alarms must be installed

Location is where most homes fall short. The rule is built around sleeping areas and the path you would take to get out, so a single alarm in the hallway is no longer enough.

Placement rules inside each room

Alarms go on the ceiling wherever possible. Keep them at least 300 mm from the corner where the ceiling meets a wall and from light fittings, and at least 400 mm from air conditioning vents and ceiling fan blades. Avoid kitchens and bathrooms, where steam and cooking set off false alarms. Sloping ceilings, stairwells and raked ceilings have their own rules, which is where a licensed electrician earns their keep.

How the rules compare for owners, landlords and sellers

The standard is the same for everyone. What differs is when it started to apply and who is responsible for it.

Information current at October 2026. Check the Queensland Fire Department smoke alarm guidance for your situation.

Hardwired or battery: which alarms can you use?

If your home has hardwired 240-volt alarms now, any alarm you replace must also be hardwired. You cannot swap a hardwired alarm for a battery one, even if the new one is photoelectric.

Where there is no existing hardwiring, you can use alarms with a 10-year sealed lithium battery. They link to each other wirelessly, so no new cabling has to be run through the ceiling. Most Gold Coast homes end up with a mix: hardwired alarms where the old ones were, and wireless interconnected alarms in the bedrooms.

Can I fit them myself?

Sealed battery alarms can legally be fitted by the owner. Hardwired alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician, and so must any change to the 240-volt circuit. If you are mixing hardwired and wireless alarms, an electrician will make sure every alarm actually triggers the others and leave you with a record of what was installed.

What it costs on the Gold Coast

We supply and install compliant photoelectric alarms from $149 per alarm, including interconnection and testing. A typical three-bedroom, single-level home needs four or five alarms, so most owners pay between $596 and $745. Two-storey homes and homes with more bedrooms need more alarms, and we price every job in writing before we start.

Prices include GST. We confirm the final price in writing once we know the number of bedrooms, hallways and levels.