Updated Australian standard for socket outlets

In 2018, after review and analysis of hospital admissions data, and identifying an electrical risk to children, the ESO wrote to the Standards Australia Committee for socket outlets, requesting the standard be amended to include shutters or other safety devices over the outlets.

The request was to ensure socket outlets had reduced risk to prevent curious children sticking conductive materials in the sockets and receiving electric shocks.

After extensive work with stakeholders, Standards Australia has now published the updated 'AS/NZS 3112:2025 Approval and test specification - Plugs and socket-outlets'.

This update includes multiple methods for protecting the consumer including “covers” and “shutters”.

While there is a transition period, this can be applied now to portable socket outlets (like power boards and double adaptors) as well as to fixed wired socket outlets.