Gas Appliance Approval Markings: What Victorian Landlords Need to Know

Gas appliances are common in Victorian rental properties, from cooktops and ovens to heaters and hot water systems. But simply having a gas appliance installed does not automatically mean it is compliant or safe.

One important part of a gas safety inspection is checking whether gas appliances have appropriate evidence of certification.

For landlords and property managers, understanding gas appliance approval markings can make it easier to identify potential compliance issues and ensure a rental property is safe for tenants.

What Are Gas Appliance Approval Markings? #

Gas appliance approval markings are labels, plates, marks or certification details that provide evidence that a gas appliance has been assessed and certified through an authorised Australian certification scheme.

For Type A gas appliances, certification is an important part of demonstrating that the appliance meets the applicable Australian requirements.

Depending on the age and certification pathway of the appliance, you may see a Gas Compliance Mark (GCM), a certification body’s proprietary mark, and/or a certificate or approval number.

Energy Safe Victoria states that accepted Type A gas appliances are required to have a compliance or data plate attached.

Why Is Gas Appliance Certification Important? #

Gas appliances that are incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or not appropriately certified can create serious safety risks.

A gas safety check is designed to identify issues that could affect the safe operation of the gas installation. In Victoria, the required inspection includes checking gas appliances for evidence of certification, along with other important safety checks.

These include checking:

• Gas appliances and components for correct installation
• Gas leaks
• Appliance isolation valves where required
• Appliance accessibility for servicing and adjustment
• Electrical safety of the gas installation
• Required clearances from combustible surfaces
• Ventilation
• Appliance stability and anti-tip arrangements where applicable
• Flues and chimneys
• Evidence of gas appliance certification

Type A gas appliances must also be serviced in accordance with the applicable requirements, including AS 4575.

What Does a Gas Compliance Mark Look Like? #

Newer certified gas appliances may display the Gas Compliance Mark (GCM). The appliance may also display a certification body’s own mark and a unique certification or approval number.

Certification bodies associated with Australian gas appliance certification include organisations such as:

• Australian Gas Association (AGA)
• SAI Global
• IAPMO
• Global-Mark
• BSI

Some older appliances may not have the newer Gas Compliance Mark. Instead, their certification information may be shown through an older certification body’s marking and certificate number.

This is one reason why a visual inspection should not rely solely on looking for one particular logo or symbol.

Where Can You Find the Approval Information? #

The certification information is generally found on the appliance’s compliance or data plate.

Depending on the appliance, the plate may be located:

• Behind or beside the appliance
• Inside an appliance compartment
• On the rear of the appliance
• Near the burner or control area
• On another accessible section specified by the manufacturer

The exact location varies between brands and appliance types.

When inspecting a rental property, it is important that the information on the appliance can be identified clearly. A missing, damaged or unreadable plate may need further investigation by a qualified professional.

What Information Is Shown on a Gas Appliance Plate? #

A gas appliance compliance plate can contain important identification and certification information.

This can include details such as:

• Manufacturer or brand
• Model number
• Gas type
• Certificate or approval number
• Certification body information
• Appliance specifications

The certificate or approval number is particularly useful because it can help establish whether the appliance has been certified.

Energy Safe Victoria notes that certified Type A appliances are recorded in the Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) National Database of Certified Gas Appliances.

What If You Cannot Find a Certification Mark? #

Don’t assume an appliance is automatically unsafe simply because you cannot immediately see a familiar logo.

Older appliances may use different certification markings, while some plates may be difficult to locate or read.

However, if certification cannot be established, it should not simply be ignored.

Energy Safe Victoria advises that a licensed gasfitter may only install a Type A gas appliance where there is documented evidence of Australian certification and the appropriate certification marking or other accepted evidence.

If an appliance’s certification cannot be established, a qualified gas professional may need to investigate the appliance further and determine what action is required.

Gas Appliance Approval Is Only One Part of a Safety Check #

A certification mark does not mean that an appliance is automatically safe today.

An appliance can have valid certification but still have problems caused by:

• Poor installation
• Gas leaks
• Inadequate ventilation
• Incorrect clearances
• Damaged components
• Faulty flues
• Poor maintenance
• Other installation or operational issues

This is why certification is only one part of a comprehensive gas safety inspection.

In Victoria, gas safety checks for applicable rental properties must be conducted by a licensed or registered gasfitter with the appropriate Type A appliance servicing endorsement.

How Often Do Victorian Rental Properties Need a Gas Safety Check? #

For rental providers who entered into a new rental agreement on or after 29 March 2021, gas safety checks are required every two years.

The check must be carried out by a suitably licensed or registered gasfitter.

Importantly, Victorian rental laws are changing. From 13 October 2026, mandatory gas and electrical safety checks every two years will apply to all rental agreements, including agreements that commenced before the previous requirements took effect.

Landlords and property managers should therefore keep accurate records and ensure inspections are scheduled appropriately.

What Should Landlords Do If a Gas Appliance Appears Non-Compliant? #

If a gas appliance does not appear to have appropriate certification information, or if the compliance plate is missing or unreadable, don’t attempt to modify or repair the appliance yourself.

Instead:

1. Arrange an inspection by a suitably qualified gasfitter.
2. Have the appliance and installation assessed.
3. Check whether certification can be established.
4. Follow the gasfitter’s recommendations regarding repairs, servicing, replacement or further investigation.
5. Keep the relevant inspection and compliance documentation for your rental property records.

A professional assessment is particularly important where there are concerns about an older, imported or modified gas appliance.

Why Landlords Should Keep Gas Safety Records #

A gas safety check should produce a record showing key information about the inspection, including the gasfitter’s details, the inspection date and the results of the check.

Rental providers must retain gas safety check records until the next safety check record is created. A renter can also request a copy of the most recent gas safety check, which must generally be provided within seven days of a written request.

Keeping organised records can make rental compliance much easier to manage, particularly for property managers looking after multiple properties.

Need a Gas Safety Check for Your Melbourne Rental Property? #

Checking gas appliance approval markings is an important part of understanding the compliance and safety of a rental property’s gas installation—but it should be considered alongside the full gas safety inspection.

At Rental Safety Inspections, we provide professional gas safety checks for landlords and property managers across Melbourne. Our services are designed to help identify safety issues, document inspection results and support Victorian rental property compliance.

If you need a gas safety inspection for your rental property, contact Rental Safety Inspections to arrange a professional assessment.

Book your rental gas safety check today and help keep your property safe, compliant and ready for your tenants.