– Workplace Lighting Audits

Commercial & Industrial Lighting Audits

A commercial lighting audit is an independent lux survey of offices, warehouses, factories, retail and healthcare spaces against AS/NZS 1680 – for fit-out sign-off, safety reviews and client performance criteria, across Victoria and interstate.

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– what we do

What a commercial lighting audit measures

Workplace lighting is assessed against AS/NZS 1680, which recommends illuminance for the task being done – from corridors and storage to offices and fine inspection work. We measure what each area actually receives and compare it with the standard and any client or design criteria, so you know which areas pass, which fall short and why. Employers also have a general duty to provide lighting that lets people work safely, covered in Safe Work Australia’s model code of practice on the work environment and facilities.

What a commercial lighting audit report includes

Every report sets out what was measured, how it was measured, and whether the installation meets the standard. It covers:

  • The standard and lighting category the area is assessed against
  • A measurement grid plan with every recorded reading
  • Average, minimum and uniformity results against the required values
  • The calibrated instruments used
  • Site photos and conditions at the time of testing
  • A clear compliance summary, with practical recommendations where results fall short, such as re-aiming, output adjustment or upgrades

Reports are written for facility managers, safety officers, builders and certifiers, and are suitable for compliance records and handover. See recent lighting compliance projects.

– Testing Services

Commercial lighting audits by space

AS/NZS 1680.2.2

Offices

Desk and screen-based task lighting, meeting rooms and circulation, for post-fit-out sign-off and complaints.

Offices, fit-outs, meeting rooms, reception

AS/NZS 1680.2.4

Industrial & warehouses

Task areas, racking aisles, loading docks and production lines, including stairs and walkways.

Warehouses, factories, workshops, plants

AS/NZS 1680.1

Retail & hospitality

Sales floors, back-of-house and food preparation areas, checked against the tasks carried out in each.

Supermarkets, shops, restaurants, fast food

AS/NZS 1680.2.3

Schools & training

Classrooms, workshops and libraries, where visual comfort affects learning.

Classrooms, labs, workshops, libraries

AS/NZS 1680.2.5

Healthcare

Clinical, examination and patient areas where task visibility is critical.

Hospitals, clinics, aged care

AS/NZS 1680.5

Outdoor work areas

Yards, loading areas and external walkways used for work at night.

Depots, yards, docks, car parks

Offices
Commercial lighting audit of office workstations with a calibrated lux meter
Warehouses
Industrial lighting audit: lux survey along a warehouse aisle
Industrial
Workplace lighting audit: measuring light levels on an industrial stair platform
Workshops
Commercial lighting audit of task lighting on a workshop bench

– Why It Matters

Why a commercial lighting audit matters

Safety

Confirms people can see hazards and tasks clearly

Compliance

Demonstrates AS/NZS 1680 compliance and supports WHS obligations

Accuracy

Finds under- and over-lit areas before they cause complaints or waste energy

Benchmarking

Gives a clear record for handover, upgrades and future audits

-FAQ

Frequently asked questions

AS/NZS 1680 recommends around 320 lux for general office work, with lower levels for corridors and higher levels for detailed tasks. The right target depends on the task in each area, which is why an audit measures room by room. See typical lux levels by space.

After a fit-out or lighting upgrade, when staff raise complaints about glare or dim areas, as part of a WHS review, or when a client or tenant sets lighting performance criteria.

Readings are taken on a grid across each area at task height using calibrated lux meters, in line with AS/NZS 1680. The results are compared with the recommended values for the task carried out in each area.

AS/NZS 1680.1 sets the general principles and recommended illuminance, with further parts for offices (1680.2.2), education (1680.2.3), industrial tasks (1680.2.4), healthcare (1680.2.5) and outdoor workplaces (1680.5).

An independent lighting consultant using calibrated equipment. Independence matters: an assessor who doesn’t sell or install lighting has no reason to find a problem that needs new fittings.

Most sites take between one and six hours on site, depending on their size and the number of areas. Large multi-building sites can be audited in stages. The report follows within five to seven business days.

It depends on the size of the area, the number of zones and the standard involved. A fixed quote is given once the site details are known.

– Coverage

Where we work

If you require lighting compliance testing, lux level verification or planning approval documentation anywhere in Victoria, our team can assist. Testing is also carried out interstate, on request.

Melbourne

Geelong

Gippsland

Ballarat

Mornington

Bendigo

Lighting Compliance Starts With Accurate Testing

Our independent assessments provide clear results

Speak to consultant
  • Commercial Lighting Audit
  • Lighting Expert Witness
  • Lux meter on a marker cone on a playing field
  • Lux meter on a velodrome track surface
Lighting audit with a calibrated lux meter on a sports field
  • lighting consultant
  • Lux measurement on a boardroom table
  • Car park lux survey at night with a measuring wheel
  • Recording lux readings at an industrial site at night

Related Lighting Compliance Services

Related Reading:
For how a compliance audit differs from an energy audit or a design review, read our guide to lighting audits.