When you buy a commercial gas appliance, whether it's a wok table, fryer, char grill or range, you're relying on it to be safe in a busy kitchen full of people. That's why Australia has a system for certifying gas appliances and controlling who can install them.
Here's a plain-English guide to how it works, what to look for and why it matters for your business. This is general information, not legal or technical advice. Requirements can vary between states and territories, so always check with your local gas regulator or a licensed gasfitter.
Why gas appliances need certification
Gas appliances are tested against Australian standards to check things like safe combustion, gas tightness, flame stability and the performance of safety devices. According to the Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC), which brings together Australian and New Zealand gas technical regulators, gas appliances sold in Australia and New Zealand are required to be tested and certified.
Type A and Type B appliances
Gas appliances generally fall into two broad groups:
- Type A appliances are mass-produced appliances, including most domestic appliances and commercial catering equipment. They are certified by an authorised certification body (known as a Conformity Assessment Body) before they can be sold.
- Type B appliances are typically larger, often one-off or industrial appliances with higher gas inputs. These go through a separate acceptance process. In Victoria, that process involves a licensed Type B gasfitter and Energy Safe Victoria.
Most of the cooking equipment in a typical restaurant or takeaway kitchen falls into the Type A category.
Which standards apply?
Type A appliances are certified to the relevant Australian gas standards. Energy Safe Victoria lists examples including the AS/NZS 5263 series for gas appliances and AS 4563 for commercial catering gas equipment. The exact standard depends on the type of appliance.
Installation is a separate matter. Gas installations are carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 5601.1 (Gas installations – General installations), along with state and territory regulations and the manufacturer's instructions. Your gasfitter will be familiar with these requirements.
Who certifies appliances?
Certification is carried out by certification bodies recognised by gas regulators. The GTRC's National Certification Database lists certifiers including the Australian Gas Association (AGA), BSI, Global-Mark, IAPMO and SAI Global.
What to look for: the data plate and certification marks
Every certified gas appliance should have a data plate. According to the GTRC, it shows essential details such as:
- A certification number
- A certification mark
- The gas type (for example natural gas or LPG)
- The model number
- The serial number or date of manufacture
- The gas consumption
The GTRC and Energy Safe Victoria explain that certified appliances display the common Gas Compliance Mark (GCM) used by Australian gas technical regulators, along with the certification body's own mark and a certification number.
How to check an appliance is certified
You can check certification status using the GTRC National Certification Database (equipment.gtrc.gov.au). Take the details from the appliance's data plate and compare them with the database listing. The certification bodies also keep their own listings.
Second-hand equipment
Buying used equipment? Be careful. Energy Safe Victoria states that certification requirements extend to the sale of second-hand appliances, and the GTRC advises that if certification details can't be provided, the appliance must not be offered for sale. Check the data plate before you buy. If it's missing or unreadable, think twice.
The role of Energy Safe Victoria
In Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria (which now also refers to itself as "Energy Safe") is the safety regulator for gas. Its role includes accepting the safety of gas appliances before they can be legally supplied, sold or installed in Victoria, overseeing complex gas installations and Type B appliances, and enforcing gas safety requirements.
Licensed gasfitters: who can install your equipment
Installing, relocating, replacing or converting a gas appliance is gasfitting work and must be done by an appropriately licensed gasfitter. In Victoria, plumbers and gasfitters are licensed through the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC).
For standard gas installations, the licensed gasfitter issues a Compliance Certificate. Energy Safe Victoria's guidance says that generally:
- Standard gas installations in domestic and light commercial premises are covered by a BPC Compliance Certificate, which must be provided to the customer and lodged within five days of completing the work.
- Complex gas installations, which can include gas work in many commercial and industrial premises, and Type B appliances require an application for acceptance to Energy Safe before gas is connected.
Whether your kitchen counts as a standard or complex installation depends on your premises and equipment, so ask your gasfitter early in your project. Keep copies of all compliance paperwork for your records.
Conversions and modifications
Converting an appliance from natural gas to LPG (or the reverse) must be done by a licensed gasfitter using approved conversion parts. Modifying an appliance or removing safety devices can affect its certification and safety.
Why it matters for your business
Using certified appliances installed by licensed professionals protects your staff and customers, and helps you meet your obligations as an operator. It can also matter for insurance and for landlords.
Talk to us about compliant equipment
At Suha Industries (Complete Commercial Catering Equipment), we manufacture Australian-made commercial gas cooking equipment in Sunshine North, including wok tables, stock pot units, boiling burners, char grills, deep fryers and griddles. If you have questions about the equipment you're considering, we're happy to help.
Call Suha Industries on (03) 9334 5999 for free additional discounts on equipment and a free consultation.
Sources
This article is based on publicly available information from the following sources, accessed October 2026:
- Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) – gtrc.gov.au and the GTRC National Certification Database (equipment.gtrc.gov.au)
- Energy Safe Victoria – "Gas appliances – online sales", "Appliance acceptance submissions" and "Gas acceptance scheme" guidance pages (energysafe.vic.gov.au)
- Victorian Building Authority / Building and Plumbing Commission – compliance certificate and gasfitting licensing guidance (vba.vic.gov.au)
- Australian Gas Association – Gas Scheme Rules (aga.asn.au)
- Standards Australia – AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas installations, Part 1: General installations
Requirements differ between states and territories. Always confirm with your local gas regulator or a licensed gasfitter.