QLD smoke alarm laws 2027: the simple version (and what it'll cost)

The QLD smoke alarm legislation has been confusing homeowners since 2017. Here's the simple version, including exactly what you need, where, and what it'll cost.

The TL;DR

From 1 January 2027, every domestic dwelling in Queensland, owner-occupied, leased, or sold, must have:

• Photoelectric smoke alarms
• That are interconnected (one goes off, all go off)
• That are hard-wired to mains power, with a 10-year sealed lithium back-up battery
• In every bedroom
• In every hallway that connects bedrooms to the rest of the house
• And at least one on every other storey

That's the whole rule.

What QLD requires (in plain English)

There are three components of the law that matter:

1. Photoelectric only. Old ionisation alarms (the cheap white round ones) are not compliant. Photoelectric alarms detect smouldering fires faster, which is the kind that kills people in their sleep.
2. Interconnected. All alarms must be wirelessly or wired interconnected. If the one in the back bedroom goes off, the one in the master bedroom goes off too. This is what saves people who can't hear the fire across the house.
3. Hard-wired with battery back-up. Mains-powered, with a 10-year sealed lithium battery for blackouts. Cheap 9V battery alarms are out.

Which deadlines apply to you

QLD did this in stages:

• From 1 Jan 2017, new builds and major renos must already comply.
• From 1 Jan 2022, homes being sold or leased must comply.
• From 1 Jan 2027. every QLD home must comply. No exceptions.

If you live in your home and aren't selling or renting, you have until 1 January 2027. We recommend doing it now, you'll wait three months to get a sparky in December 2026.

Where alarms have to go

A typical 3-bedroom Brisbane home needs:

• 1 alarm in each of the 3 bedrooms = 3
• 1 alarm in the hallway connecting them to the living area = 1
• 1 alarm in the living/kitchen area = 1
• Total: 5 interconnected photoelectric alarms

A 4-bed double-storey home is typically 6 to 7 alarms. A studio might be 2.

What it'll cost

Voltech's pricing on QLD-compliant smoke alarms (photoelectric, interconnected, hard-wired, 10-year warranty):

• $220 per alarm including supply, install, programming, testing, certification.
• Typical 3-bed home: $1,100 all in.
• Typical 4-bed double-storey: $1,540 all in.
• Same-day install in our core suburbs.
• Compliance certificate emailed before we leave the driveway.

We use Brooks 600MRF or Emerald Planet alarms, both Australian-approved, both with 10-year sealed batteries.

If you want to know exactly how many your home needs, send us a floorplan or just a list of bedrooms + hallways and we'll quote it the same day. Or book a smoke alarm install and we'll come and quote on-site.

, John