Understanding the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) in NSW
At Wormald, our mission is to protect lives, property, and infrastructure. One of the most critical ways we do this is by helping building owners comply with fire safety regulations, such as the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS).
In March 2025, New South Wales introduced significant reforms to AFSS to improve fire safety compliance, requiring that only fully qualified APFS professionals assess and certify fire systems. These changes address risks exposed by underqualified assessments and high-profile tragedies like London’s Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
The AFSS is a legally required document in NSW for most building owners, which certifies that all essential fire safety measures in a building’s Fire Safety Schedule have been inspected, assessed, and maintained by an APFS. The annual safety protocol checks every fire system, from sprinklers to smoke alarms and emergency lighting, to ensure they are operational and compliant with Australian Standards.
What are the changes?
Recent reforms have strengthened the AFSS process and introduced new compliance standards:
- AS 1851-2012 Compliance: All routine inspections and maintenance must meet the updated Australian Standard by February 2026.
- Accredited Practitioners: From February 2027, only fully qualified APFS professionals can assess and certify fire safety systems.
- Standardised documentation: Fire Safety Statement template version 4 must now be used for all submissions.
- Enhanced oversight: Fire and Rescue NSW has increased scrutiny of non-standard fire safety designs to ensure compliance and safety.
Who needs to submit an AFSS?
- Owners of buildings classified as Class 1b–9 under the Building Code of Australia.
- Buildings with construction or complying development certificates issued after 1 July 1988.
Key steps of an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)
Start by engaging one of Wormald’s Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety). They will review relevant documentation, including the previous year’s AFSS, the building’s Fire Safety Schedule, and maintenance records.
The APFS will carry out a comprehensive on-site inspection to verify all fire systems have been maintained and tested according to Australian Standard AS 1851, the Australian Standard for the maintenance of fire protection systems. The APFS then provides a detailed report, highlighting any defects that must be addressed before the AFSS can be signed.
Once all issues are resolved, the APFS endorses the AFSS. The building owner then signs the statement and lodges it with both the local council and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). A copy must also be displayed within the building.
Why It Matters
The 2025 AFSS reforms in NSW have strengthened fire safety, protecting building owners, occupants, and the wider community. Wormald’s team of qualified technicians and accredited fire safety practitioners helps owners navigate these regulations, maintain compliance, and ensure fire systems perform effectively.
These reforms reinforce legal compliance, helping building owners avoid fines or other penalties, while also protecting their investment by ensuring fire safety systems are properly maintained and certified, preserving building value, meeting insurance requirements, and reducing the risk of damage.
Wormald continues to lead in fire safety, combining expertise and qualified practitioners with a commitment to protecting lives, property, and communities across NSW.
To learn more about Wormald’s Accredited Practitioners (Fire Safety) or arrange an inspection, visit Wormald Annual Fire Safety Statement. For a full list of Fire Safety Assessment Practitioners, see the FPA register: Fire Safety Assessment Practitioners Register General
