Does an old Queenslander need a rewire?

01The old wiring in Queenslanders and why it matters

Homes wired before 1960 are likely to contain one of two kinds of rubber-insulated cable, known as vulcanised Indian rubber and tough rubber sheathed. The Electrical Safety Office says the rubber can deteriorate to the point where live wires are exposed, and that homes wired before 1960 have a greater risk of failure as the equipment reaches the end of its life.

Old Bakelite fittings from that era, including light switches, light fittings, power points and junction boxes, can go brittle and expose live parts too. Many older switchboards still have ceramic fuses rather than circuit breakers, and no safety switch.

02Signs the wiring is due for a check

Some signs are visible. Cable with black rubber insulation that is cracked or crumbling, brittle or broken Bakelite fittings, ceramic fuses in the switchboard and no safety switch all point to an older system.

Others you notice in use. Fuses that keep blowing, circuit breakers that keep tripping, switches or power points that feel warm, or a burning smell all need checking. A shock or a tingle is an emergency. Call Ergon Energy on 13 16 70 and keep away from the switchboard.

03Why age alone does not mean a full rewire

The Electrical Safety Office says that when rubber cable or damaged Bakelite is found, replacement is likely, not certain. The deciding step is an insulation resistance test, which measures whether the insulation on each circuit is still doing its job. The Wiring Rules set a minimum reading the old cable has to meet.

That means two houses of the same age can need very different work. One may have cable that is breaking down on every circuit. Another may have been partly rewired years ago and only need the old sections replaced.

04Partial or full rewire

In a partial rewire, only the circuits being replaced or altered have to meet the current Wiring Rules, including a safety switch on each of them. Circuits left alone do not. In a full rewire, the whole installation is new work, so every circuit gets a safety switch.

A rewire is often done together with a switchboard upgrade, because an old board with ceramic fuses has no room for the safety switches the new circuits need.

05What a rewire involves in an older home

Since 1 January 2025, anyone working in a Queensland roof space must turn the power off at the switchboard before going in. Solar cables and the service line from the street can still be live, so the work is planned around them. Heat and old insulation over downlights are also hazards up there.

Asbestos was common in switchboards in homes built before 1990. A licensed electrician can remove a small asbestos-backed switchboard using Queensland's safe work procedure, which covers wetting it down, wearing a mask and bagging the waste.

Ergon Energy is replacing old electricity meters with smart meters across its network between December 2025 and 2030. If the installer finds a major defect at the switchboard, they will not fit the meter until it is fixed. If you trigger the meter change yourself, for example by adding solar, the repair is your cost.

06How we approach an older home

We start by inspecting and testing, not by quoting a full rewire. The result tells you which circuits are sound and which need replacing, and you get a price for the work the testing supports. Our electrical health check gives you a written and photographic report on the age, condition and safety of the system.