COMPLIANCE
Test and Tag Tag Colours Explained: What They Mean & When They Change
Test and tag colours are a widely-used industry convention for tracking when equipment was tested and when it's next due — they are not a legal requirement set by AS/NZS 3760. The colour itself doesn't certify anything; it's a quick visual shortcut that lets you spot overdue equipment across a workplace at a glance.
Published 5 July 2026
Reviewed by Fadi Raslan, licensed technician (TTT69067)
If you've ever looked at the tags on your workplace equipment and wondered why some are green, some are blue, and some are red, you're not alone. Tag colours are one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of test and tag in Australia.
Here's the short version: tag colours are a practical scheduling tool, not a legal requirement. What actually keeps you compliant is the information printed on the tag — not its colour.
What actually has to be on a tag
Under AS/NZS 3760, what matters is the information a tag carries, not its colour. A compliant tag shows:
- ✓The date the item was tested
- ✓The date the next test is due
- ✓The name or ID of the person who tested it
- ✓Confirmation that the item passed
As long as this information is present and accurate, the item is compliant — regardless of the tag's colour.
So why the different colours?
Many test and tag providers rotate through a set of colours (commonly red, green, blue, and yellow) so that each testing period has its own colour. If your last round was “green” and this quarter's tags are “blue”, any green tag still on the floor instantly stands out as potentially overdue.
It's a practical scheduling tool — nothing more, nothing less.
Common colour rotation schemes
While there's no single “official” colour order, a common rotation used by many Australian providers is:
| Colour | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Red | Testing period 1 (e.g. Jan–Mar) |
| Green | Testing period 2 (e.g. Apr–Jun) |
| Blue | Testing period 3 (e.g. Jul–Sep) |
| Yellow | Testing period 4 (e.g. Oct–Dec) |
Your provider may use a different order or different colours entirely. The key point is that the colour changes with each testing round, so outdated tags are easy to spot visually.
What about “out of service” tags?
If an appliance fails a test, it's typically tagged with a red “FAIL” or “OUT OF SERVICE” tag and must be taken out of use immediately. This is separate from the colour rotation — a fail tag means the item is unsafe and must be repaired or replaced before it can be used again.
The takeaway
Don't get caught up on which colour is “correct.” What keeps you compliant is that every appliance carries a legible tag with a valid retest date, and that you re-test on schedule for your environment. The colour just makes it easier to manage.
If your workplace has a mix of old and unclear tags, a fresh round of testing resets everything to one clear, current system — so you always know what's due and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the different test and tag colours mean?
Are test and tag colours required by AS/NZS 3760?
Why do different providers use different tag colours?
What should I do if my workplace has a mix of old and unclear tags?
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