FAQs
What does Standards Australia do?
We do not enforce, regulate or certify compliance with standards.
We form technical committees made up of stakeholders from government, business, industry, community, academia and consumers. Through a process of consensus, these committees develop standards for Australia’s net benefit. We facilitate that process.
What is a standard?
Are standards mandatory?
We are not able to give advice in relation to the compliance or non-compliance with any requirements or specifications in a standard. Please contact the relevant regulator for information on compliance with mandatory standards. A list of key government contacts is available on the Contact List page.
How do I obtain a standard and how much do they cost?
The pricing of standards varies from document to document. For sales and pricing information please visit:
- Standards Store or call 1800 035 822 (from Australia), or +61 2 9237 6171 (from overseas)
- Accuris (formerly “Standards Australia Webstore powered by Techstreet”) or call +61 2 9161 7799
- Intertek Inform (formerly "SAI Global") or call 131 242 (from Australia) or +61 2 8206 6010 (from overseas)
Will I have to pay to view a standard?
Alternatively, some public and university libraries provide access to standards. Check with your local library.
For full, ongoing, or long-term access, including offline use and printing, refer to the purchasing options listed above.
I'd like to reproduce or copy all or parts of the Australian Standard I have purchased. How do I go about this?
Licensing requests can be made via the Contract licensing enquiry page on the Standards Australia Store website.
How are Australian Standards® developed?
Who develops standards?
How do I propose a new standard or revise an existing standard?
As a member of the public, how can I comment on a proposal to create or revise a standard?
As a member of the public, how can I comment on a draft standard?
Visit our Public Comment platform to browse a list of drafts currently open for public comment, you can register or log in to view draft Standards.
In addition, Connect also provides information around current standards development projects, committees and more.
See the Connect user guide for members of the public (PDF) for more.
I've got questions about the Standard and what it means - can I speak to someone?
What are ANZSIC Sectors?
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For more information, go to:
• https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/australian-and-new-zealand-standard-industrial-classification-anzsic/2006-revision-2-0/nature-and-objectives-classification
• https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/australian-and-new-zealand-standard-industrial-classification-anzsic/2006-revision-2-0/numbering-system-and-titles/division-codes-and-titles
What is an interim standard?
The aim of an interim document is to provide a guide for future standardisation in the specified field and to collect public feedback on the subject during the life of the publication.
Why is a standard marked as withdrawn?
- Is not up-to-date technically
- Does not reflect current practice or research
- Is not suitable for new and existing applications (such as products, systems, or processes)
- Is not compatible with current views and expectations regarding quality, safety, and the environment.
Withdrawn publications can still be purchased, please visit Buy Standards for current access options.
What is a superseded standard?
In some cases, the older document may be superseded by a new document with a different designation (AS number) and title.
In other cases, a publication will only be partly superseded. The earlier edition will remain current until there are replacements available that cover all the content of the original standard.
What does “available superseded” mean?
We do not enforce, regulate or certify compliance with standards.
Standards Australia takes no responsibility for the ongoing technical validity of such a document. It is up to government authorities to decide whether available superseded products should be referenced in legislation/regulation.
When an available superseded publication is being used as the basis for certification, the publication must be available until the relevant certification of all organisations has lapsed.
What does it mean when a standard has been made “obsolescent”?
An amendment has been issued for a standard I bought. What is an amendment?
An amendment is published as a stand-alone document, and the correct text is meant to replace the existing text in the standard.
Later versions of the full standard will be published with the amended text already incorporated. This will be reflected in the title, cover page and preface.
I have questions about using a Standard - can you help me?
We are unable to comment on the application, implementation or interpretation of our publications. These activities are handled by regulators, designers or consultants. We recommend that you contact a relevant industry consultant.
If there is no legislation or mandatory requirement to adhere to then the interpretation of the standard is ultimately up to the end user.
For the contact details of the relevant authorities, click here.
Can Standards Australia assist with locating a consultant?
We recommend that you contact relevant industry bodies that may be able to assist you in this area.
The preface of a standard lists the industry bodies or organisations that contributed to the development of the standard.
Who certifies that a product conforms to a standard and how do I get a product/service/organisation certified?
The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) website has a database of companies that can carry out certification.
Testing bodies can be found by contacting the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA).
Standards Australia does not determine whether products comply with Australian Standards® and does not certify products/services/organisations.
How do I get a product/service/organisation/person certified?
In order to find the certification body accredited to certify your specific product, you will need to identify the designation (AS number and year of publication) for that standard. You can browse our catalogue to identify standard designations.
Once you have the designation (AS number) of the standard, you can use the JAS-ANZ Accredited Bodies Register to get a list of accredited certification bodies that provide the service you are after.
Who do I contact to get my product tested?
Standards Australia does not test products. Product testing is usually carried out by test laboratories.
Once you have the designation (AS number) you can find a list of Australian test laboratories from the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA).
I am interested in importing a product into Australia. How do I find out if it needs to be certified to particular standards before being imported and offered for sale?
For general information on importing, visit business.gov.au or speak to the relevant government authority.
We are unable to advise if the product you are importing needs to meet any mandatory requirements.
How do I get my product certified for export?
Standards Australia does not have information on export requirements as these are generally set by the country you are exporting to.
I have a product that says it complies with an Australian Standard®. However, it doesn't comply or it doesn't function properly. Who do I contact?
Click here for a list of consumer regulatory bodies.
Mandatory Product Safety Standards - General Products
The ACCC is responsible for enforcing mandatory product information and safety standards. It also issues bans on unsafe goods declared under the Competition and Consumer Act.
Fair trading offices and Consumer Affairs bodies also have an important role in product safety within their own states or territories.
Click here for a list of consumer regulatory bodies.
Plumbing Products WaterMark Certification
The ‘WaterMark’ symbol on a product indicates that the supplier or manufacturer claims this product meets applicable regulatory requirements.
You can find information relating to WaterMark certification and details of Conformity Assessment Bodies on the ABCB's WaterMark website.
Electrical Products
Contact the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) for details of the relevant regulator or view this list.
For further information regarding any mandatory requirements for your product please contact the electrical safety regulator in your state or territory.
Electrical Installations
Electrical Installation/Wiring Rules
The sixth edition of the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2018) was released in June 2018.
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed by the committee responsible for the Wiring Rules (2018) to explain some of the issues which have been raised by users of the standard.
Building Products
For further information, please contact the relevant building authority in your state or territory.
Food/Drink Standards
Vehicle Safety Standards
What are contract standards?
What contract standards are available?
With the publication of AS 4000:2025, AS 4000–1997 and AS 2124 and related standards are now superseded.
Below is a listing of contract standards, the suite to which they belong and equivalencies.
AS 4000 series new editions
AS 4000 suite – 1st edition
AS 2124 suite
In what formats are Standards Australia's contract documents available?
- Microsoft Word
Allows licensed users to add, delete or modify the contractual terms in the body of the contract and complete details in the annexes with as many additions as required. Parties can password-protect tracked changes, a feature very useful during complex contract negotiations. Licences for these contract documents are available for terms of 3 and 12 months. - PDF with editable fields in annexes (Reusable PDFs)
Allows the user to add details relevant to their specifications within the Annexures via highlighted form fields. The contract terms however are locked and cannot be amended, only referred to within the appropriate Annexure for additions and deletions. Reusable PDFs are appropriate for small, low-negotiation projects where changes to the existing terms are minimal.
Reusable PDFs can be purchased from our distributors – Intertek Inform. These PDFs are time centric according to the date of purchase eg a 3 month licence will allow the designation number of amended copies to be distributed within 3 months from the invoice date of purchase, after which the reusable contract tool will expire denying access to the document.
Note – reusable PDFs should not be emailed to third parties as the tender document as these too will expire making the contract void. All amended versions from the tool should be printed, scanned and saved to a project file prior external distribution.
Licences for these contract documents are available for terms of 3 and 6 months.
What is the purpose of “reference use only” version?
Reference Use Only PDFs are not suitable for external legal purposes. A quote for a specially watermarked PDF in the name of the Matter must be sought from SA copyright services. Please Submit an Enquiry form.
Users may download the PDF to a device and make 2 print copies for backup purposes.
Note – when printing, ensure adequate paper is available to accommodate the standard pagination. Stopping the printer will automatically cancel the print function.
For what purpose can the AS 4000:2025 be used?
Where are the Instruments of Agreement in AS 4000 editions?
The AS 4000 -1997 suite of contracts do not include any Instrument of Agreement as part of the Standards and one must be must be purchased separately.
AS 4950-2006, Form of formal instrument of agreement, can be used for all AS 4000-1997 suite standards.
What resources are available to help administer AS 4000?
The Handbook includes guidance in the pre-contractual stages, guidance on each or the topics of the General Conditions of Contract. It also provides a comprehensive summary of the responsibilities and functions of the Superintendent and Principle under AS 4000-1997. Practical administration tools are included, such as Flowcharts and forms and precedents. These precedents include standard notices, directions, claim forms and letters commonly required during the administration of these contracts.
All the forms and precedents from HB 140 are also available in editable Word format under license from Standards Australia. For more information, visit our Contract Licensing page.
A new project has commenced to update HB 140 in line with the new edition of AS 4000 in 2025.
For what purpose can the AS 4122-2010 be used?
The standard should be considered along with AS 4120, Code of tendering and AS 4121, Code of ethics and procedures for the selection of consultants.
This standard is available in the form of an interactive PDF only and amended in a similar way to reusable PDFs.
For what purpose can the AS 4902-2002 be used?
- design and construct;
- design, development and construct; and
- design, novate and construct.
What contract standards are available for back-to-back “design and construct” purpose?
- AS 4902-2000, General conditions of contract for design and construct: Applicable for situations wherein the principal provides only a brief.
- AS 4903-2000, Subcontract conditions for design and construct, which is the subcontract compatible with AS 4902-2000.
- AS 4904-2009, Consultants agreement - Design and construct: Applicable where the head contract is AS 4902-2000 and the consultant is to be engaged by the principal.
Which contract standards are suitable for supply of equipment?
- AS 4915-2002, Project management - General conditions: Applicable for project management delivery systems.
- AS 4916-2002, Construction management - General conditions: Applicable when project delivery system is for construction management.
Which contract standards should be purchased together for the management of assets?
- AS 4910-2002, General conditions of contract for the supply of equipment with installation: Applicable for turnkey projects wherein a major item of equipment is to be supplied an installed.
- AS/NZS 4911:2003, General conditions of contract for the supply of equipment without installation: Applicable to the supply of equipment which is purpose-built or manufactured.
- AS 4912-2002, General conditions of contract for the periodic supply of goods: Used for projects with a supply of diverse set of goods over a defined period.
Do I need permission to reproduce extracts from standards?
Head over to our License content page for information on how to apply.
Standards Australia Acronyms and Abbreviations
Australia. Download Standards Australia Acronyms and Abbreviations document.
How do I access or log in to Standards Australia applications?
For instructions on how to log in to Standards Australia applications, refer to Logging into Standards Australia's Applications FAQs.
