Selling or leasing in WA and been asked for a gas certificate? Here is what the paperwork actually is, when you need it, and what happens if gas work was never certified.
Gas Compliance Certificates When Selling or Leasing in WA
A gas compliance certificate is an official document issued by a licensed gas fitter, confirming that gas fitting work meets the standards set by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Here is the part that catches people out. In Western Australia there is no standalone document by that name.
The legal document issued after gas work is the Notice of Completion, and when a buyer, conveyancer or gas supplier asks for a gas certificate, that is what they actually want.
Selling a Property in WA with Gas Compliance Certificates
There is no legal requirement for a separate gas compliance certificate as a condition of property sales in WA. That surprises a lot of homeowners, and it is worth knowing before anyone pressures you into an inspection you may not need.
Conveyancers, buyers and gas suppliers often request proof of compliance for recent gas installations during the sale process, to verify the gas work was legally completed and safely installed. The Notice of Completion is that proof, and it is the official document issued for exactly this purpose.
Where it gets expensive is uncertified work. Any DIY or unlicensed gas work found during a pre-sale compliance check can delay settlement until a licensed gas fitter inspects and certifies the system. Having the record on file protects your property value and reduces your liability.
Any installed gas appliances must also comply with the state’s Gas Appliance Approval framework.
If a previous owner fitted a gas cooktop themselves, that is the kind of connected appliance that raises questions at inspection.
Selling or Leasing a Property With Gas?
We inspect and certify gas installations, lodge the Notice of Completion, and can track down paperwork from earlier licensed work, so gas does not hold up your settlement.
Leasing a Property in WA
For landlords, the trigger is the work, not the tenancy. Whenever a new gas appliance is installed, altered or repaired at your rental property, the licensed gas fitter must issue a notice of compliance. That covers everything from a gas oven through to a full gas hot water system.
Here is where WA differs from what you may have read. WA law does not impose mandatory periodic gas inspections on residential rental properties the way some other states do.
Consumer Protection’s rental safety requirements cover smoke alarms, RCDs, pool barriers, furniture stability and blind cords. Recurring gas safety checks are not on that list.
That does not mean gas safety is optional. WA landlords have a legal duty of care to provide safe premises, and regular testing of gas appliances is encouraged even if regulatory requirements do not mandate it. Keeping a gas system maintained reduces safety risks to tenants, and public safety is an essential part of that duty.
The practical advice is simple: retain documentation for all gas work at your properties. Landlord and home insurance policies commonly require valid gas compliance records before paying a gas-related damage claim, and a rejected claim costs far more than the inspection would have.
What a Gas Compliance Inspection Covers
Gas installations in WA must meet Australian Standards, specifically AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, and must be gas-tight.
There is no allowable leakage rate, stricter than most people expect, because the pipework has to deliver gas with zero loss.
A compliance inspection generally includes:
- Pressure testing the system for leaks
- Checking ventilation and clearances around appliances
- Testing that every connected appliance operates correctly
- Confirming the installation meets the highest safety standards
- Lodging the notice and attaching the compliance badge
Your gas fitter should give you a detailed report confirming the work was completed safely to Australian safety standards.
If a leak is found, gas leak detection and repair comes first, because nothing gets certified until the system is sound.
What Happens If Gas Work Was Never Certified
Unlicensed gas work is illegal in Western Australia and cannot be certified as it stands. If a previous owner or an unlicensed handyman did the work, there is no notice attached to it and no official record it was ever done safely.
The path forward is straightforward, if not always quick. A licensed gas fitter inspects the installation, carries out any necessary repairs or upgrade services, then certifies and lodges the notice. No licensed professional can sign off work they have not assessed.
If you are selling, start before settlement rather than during it. Gas work discovered late is a common reason settlement dates move.
If your gas work was done properly by a licensed gas fitter, the notice already exists. Your fitter or gas supplier can usually track down a copy, so check before you pay for anything.
Speak to Proud Plumbing for More Information about Gas Compliance Certificates Today!
There’s no standalone gas compliance certificate in WA, the Notice of Completion is what everyone actually means, and no law forces you to get one before a sale.
What does cause problems is gas work with no paperwork behind it. It surfaces mid-settlement, and the fix takes time you don’t have.
We inspect and certify existing installations, lodge Notices of Completion, handle leak detection first where it’s needed, and can chase down copies of paperwork from earlier licensed work.
Contact us and we’ll tell you whether anything needs certifying!
