A bathroom renovation is a chance to fix the things that have annoyed you for years: the dim light over the mirror, the fan that sounds like a jet engine and does nothing for the steam, the lack of anywhere to plug in a hair dryer. Because bathrooms combine water and electricity, they also come with stricter rules than most rooms.

Wet areas have zones

The Australian wiring rules, AS/NZS 3000, divide bathrooms into zones around the bath and shower. The closer a spot is to the water, the stricter the rules on what electrical equipment can go there and how it must be protected. Power points, light fittings and switches each have their own limits on where they can sit. Your electrician will plan positions to comply, but it is useful to know that some ideas, like a power point right beside the shower, may not be possible.

All bathroom circuits must be protected by safety switches. If your switchboard is old and lacks them, this is a good reason to upgrade. Our safety switches page explains how they protect against electric shock.

Lighting

Bathroom lighting works best in layers:

General lighting, often a couple of LED downlights rated for bathrooms.
Mirror or vanity lighting, which should light your face evenly from the front rather than casting shadows from above.
Optional feature lighting, like LED strips in a shower niche or under a floating vanity, as long as the fittings are rated for the zone.

Choose fittings with a suitable IP rating, which tells you how well they resist moisture. Our lighting page covers options in more detail.

Exhaust fans

A good exhaust fan is the best defence against mould and peeling paint. Points to consider:

Size the fan to the room. A small fan in a large bathroom will struggle.
Duct it to outside, not just into the roof space, so moisture actually leaves the house.
Consider a fan with a run-on timer so it keeps clearing steam after you switch the light off.
Place it near the shower and away from the door, so air is drawn across the room.

Heated towel rails and heating

Heated towel rails are popular in renovated bathrooms, especially in cooler homes up near the escarpment. They are usually hard wired or connected via a dedicated outlet with a switch or timer, positioned to suit the zones. Heat lamps and ceiling heater combination units are another option for chilly mornings.

Power points

Think about where you will use:

A hair dryer and straightener.
An electric toothbrush and shaver.
A mirror cabinet with built-in lighting or a shaver outlet.

Outlets inside a vanity or mirror cabinet keep the bench clear. Again, positions are limited by the zones.

Coastal homes

In beachside suburbs like Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Windang, salt air combined with bathroom humidity is hard on metal fittings. Choosing quality, moisture-rated fittings and good ventilation helps them last.

Timing with other trades

Bathroom electrical work slots in alongside plumbing and waterproofing. Rough-in happens after demolition and framing and before sheeting and waterproofing. Fit-off happens after tiling. Cables must be in place before the waterproofing membrane goes down, so coordinating with your plumber and tiler matters.

Ensuites and laundries

The same planning applies to ensuites and laundries, which also have wet area rules. If your renovation covers several rooms, planning them together is efficient, and it may be a good time to look at the rest of the house. Our renovation and new home electrical page covers bigger projects.

Talk to Kalani early

Kalani works on bathroom renovations across the Illawarra, often alongside builders and plumbers. Bringing him in at the planning stage means fewer changes later.

Call or text 0424 400 346 with your bathroom plans, or a few photos of the current room, and he will talk you through what is possible.

Planning electrical for a bathroom renovation