Owning or managing a commercial, industrial, or multi-residential building in New South Wales comes with a clear legal obligation: you must lodge an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) every 12 months. For many building owners and facilities managers, the process can feel unclear and getting it wrong carries real consequences.
This guide covers everything you need to know. What an AFSS involves, to how routine testing supports your lodgement, to what happens if you fall behind.
An Annual Fire Safety Statement is a formal document that certifies all essential fire safety measures in a building have been inspected, tested, and found to be performing to the required standard. In NSW, the AFSS must be lodged with your local council annually, with a copy also provided to Fire and Rescue NSW.
The statement must be prepared and signed by a suitably qualified practitioner, typically a licensed fire protection company, based on routine testing and inspections carried out across the year.
Don’t know where to start with your AFSS? Fire Safe ANZ handles everything from routine testing through to lodgement support. Get a quote today →
Essential services measures (ESMs) are the fire and life safety systems installed in your building. They vary depending on the building’s use, size, and construction date, but commonly include:
Each ESM must be maintained and tested in accordance with Australian Standards – primarily AS 1851 for active fire protection systems.
If your building has a fire safety schedule attached to its development consent or construction certificate, you are required to lodge an AFSS. This applies to most commercial, retail, industrial, aged care, educational, and multi-residential buildings across NSW.
If you are unsure whether your property has a fire safety schedule, check with your local council or contact Fire Safe ANZ directly. Our team can review your building’s obligations and confirm exactly what is required.
The AFSS must be lodged with council annually, on or before the anniversary date shown on your fire safety schedule. Missing this deadline can result in council penalty notices, formal orders, and escalating fines, and in serious cases, referral to the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Staying ahead of your lodgement date starts with scheduling routine testing well in advance.
Your AFSS cannot be issued without current evidence that all essential services measures have been properly inspected and tested. This is where routine testing is critical.
Routine testing which is carried out at six-monthly or annual intervals depending on the system, produces the inspection and maintenance records that support your AFSS. Without up-to-date compliant testing records, your practitioner cannot certify the statement.
Every AFSS issued by Fire Safe ANZ is paired with a full routine testing program. This ensures your records are always current and your lodgement is never at risk.
We also cover fire safety inspections in Sydney if you are looking for full-service inspection and AFSS support in the metro area.
Your fire systems need to be tested before your AFSS can be lodged. Book your routine testing program with Fire Safe ANZ and stay ahead of your compliance dates. Request a quote →
Your fire alarm system is one of the most critical ESMs in your building and one of the most closely scrutinised during an AFSS assessment. Regular fire alarm servicing ensures your detection systems are calibrated, functional, and fully documented ahead of lodgement.
Neglecting alarm servicing is one of the most common reasons buildings fail to meet AFSS requirements. A proactive servicing schedule removes this risk entirely.
For buildings with fire sprinkler systems, routine inspection and testing is a non-negotiable part of AFSS compliance. Fire sprinkler systems in Australia must be tested and maintained in line with AS 1851, and all records must be current and available at the time of your AFSS assessment.
Failure to maintain fire safety systems or lodge an AFSS on time can have serious consequences:
Beyond the legal and financial risk, unmaintained fire systems are a genuine threat to the lives of occupants.
For a broader overview of what fire safety compliance means for your business, read our guide: Why fire-ready facilities are a competitive advantage.
Fire Safe ANZ provides end-to-end support for Annual Fire Safety Statement compliance across NSW. Our service includes:
We work with building owners, facilities managers, strata managers, and property groups across the Illawarra, Sydney, and regional NSW.
Let Fire Safe ANZ take AFSS compliance off your plate. We handle the testing, the records, and the lodgement support so you don’t have to. Call 1300 553 566 or request a quote online →
Fire Safe ANZ provides AFSS and routine testing services across NSW, including:
Note: AFSS services are available for properties north of approximately Mollymook, NSW, subject to Occupation Certifier coverage. Properties further south should contact us to discuss options.
AFSS compliance is one part of a complete fire safety picture. If your building also requires evacuation diagrams or fire warden training, Fire Safe ANZ can assist. Our evacuation and training services ensure your occupants are prepared, not just your systems.
