Insulated pins. Are they required on plug?

Australian 10A plug top with insulated pins.

In all Australian states and territories electrical appliances and equipment available for sale or hire must adhere to the requirement of having insulated pins (sleeved pins). However, there are exceptions for plugs rated at 20A and above.

The reason behind this requirement is to address incidents and fatalities where slender metallic objects, such as metal blind slats, have come into contact with the active pins of partially inserted plugs.

To mitigate this risk and meet Australian Standards, it is necessary for the live pins (active and neutral) on 240 volt plug tops to be insulated along a specified length of the pin. This ensures that only the tips of the pins make contact with the live parts of socket outlets.

There is no requirement to retrofit any uninsulated appliances manufactured before 2005. If equipment is repaired, a plug with insulated active and neutral pins should be fitted. As such equipment without insulated pins will pass testing in accordance with AS/NZS 3760, if manufactured before 2005.

References list
Department of Commerce EnergySafety
Australian Standards AS/NZS3112:2000 and AS/NZS3112:2004 define the requirements for insulating the Active and Neutral pins of plug tops. Exceptions apply for plugs rated at 20A and above.