As an Australian Homestay Network (AHN) host, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your family and your guests is a priority. Smoke alarms save lives by providing early warning in the event of a fire, allowing crucial time for occupants to safely escape. Working smoke alarms significantly reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities.

In homestay accommodation, hosts must ensure that all smoke alarms are installed and operating properly, compliant with local state or territory standards, and are regularly tested and maintained.

State and Territory Requirements & Resources

Smoke alarm legislation varies across Australia. Hosts must comply with the specific fire safety regulations in their state or territory.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• ACT Emergency Service Agency

New South Wales (NSW)

• Fire and Rescue NSW

Northern Territory (NT)

• Northern Territory Police, Fire & Emergency Services

Queensland (QLD)

• Queensland Fire Department

South Australia (SA)

• South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS)

Tasmania (TAS)

• Tasmania Fire Service

Victoria (VIC)

• Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)

Western Australia (WA)

• Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Host Best Practices & Maintenance Checklist

• Educate Your Family & Your Guests: Have a fire safety plan in place for your family outlining the best way to exit the home and where to meet outside if there is a fire. Explain how the smoke alarms work to your guests when they arrive and relay the fire safety plan to them.
• Test Monthly: Press the test button on all the smoke alarms in your house at least once a month. Hold until the alarm beeps.
• Clean Regularly: Check the smoke alarm vents / inlets and clean out any dust build-up, insects and other debris. Clean the covers with a cloth to remove dust and cobwebs.
• Battery Maintenance: You must replace the battery every year if your smoke alarms are powered by 9-volt alkaline batteries (put a reminder in your calendar on the same date every year - some suggest 1 April).
  Smoke alarms with an inbuilt lithium battery do not require battery replacement as they cannot be removed. The entire unit needs to be replaced every 10 years.
• Replace Promptly: Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years from the date of manufacture (or earlier if specified). The manufacture or expiry date is usually printed on the base or side of the unit.