The hardest part of a home battery install often isn't the wiring — it's deciding where the battery is actually allowed to go. In Australia that's governed by AS/NZS 5139:2019, the safety standard for battery systems used with inverters (power conversion equipment). The clauses aren't always easy to apply on a real site, so this is WISE Energy's plain-English field guide to the location rules, built around the situations installers genuinely run into.
Important — licensed work only. Battery systems must be designed and installed by a licensed electrician holding current Clean Energy Council (CEC) battery/solar accreditation, working to the current edition of AS/NZS 5139 and the manufacturer's installation manual. This guide is general information only. WISE Energy cannot warrant its accuracy or completeness and accepts no liability for how it is applied — always confirm the exact clearances and requirements against the published standard for the specific site and product.
The three verdicts
Almost every spot on a property falls into one of three buckets:
OKPermitted
A compliant location with normal clearances and access.
CONDITIONSPermitted with a fire-rated barrier or extra clearance
Allowed, but only once you add a non-combustible barrier and/or meet the separation distances.
NONot permitted
A prohibited location under AS/NZS 5139 — the battery cannot go here regardless of barriers.
Locations that are simply not permitted
AS/NZS 5139 rules these out for a pre-assembled (integrated) home battery — no barrier will make them compliant:
NOHabitable rooms
Bedrooms, living rooms, lounges, kitchens and similar occupied spaces. Batteries belong in non-habitable areas such as a garage, plant room, external wall or shed.
NOCeiling spaces, roof spaces and wall cavities
Concealed spaces where a fault could develop unseen and venting is poor.
NOOn the roof
Unless the product is specifically designed and listed for roof mounting.
NOUnder a stairway, or in/blocking an exit or escape route
The battery must never sit under stairs or obstruct the path people use to evacuate the building.
NOWhere it blocks access to switchgear or the main switch
Isolation points and the meter/main switchboard must stay clear and reachable.
The clearance rule around openings
Even in an allowed area, a battery can't sit right next to a building opening. As a working rule under AS/NZS 5139, keep the unit clear of windows, doors, vents and other openings into the building, and clear of exits and nearby appliances (hot-water units, air-conditioners, gas fittings). The standard's restricted-location zone is commonly applied as roughly 600 mm to the side of, and below, an opening. If you can't achieve the separation, you install a fire-rated barrier instead (next section).
Confirm the exact separation distances and any working-space dimensions against the figures in AS/NZS 5139:2019 — they vary with the install type and product listing.
The fire-rated barrier (the “fibro” sheet)
When clearances can't be met — or the battery is mounted on a wall with a habitable room on the other side — a non-combustible fire-rated barrier is required between the battery and what it's protecting. In practice this is fibre-cement sheet (“fibro”) or masonry of adequate fire resistance. Key points:
- The barrier must be non-combustible and rated for the duration the standard/product requires.
- It must extend at least 600 mm beyond the battery on every exposed side and above it.
- It sits between the battery and the opening or habitable space being protected.
Real-world spots, decided
NOUnder the stairs
A specific prohibition, and almost always part of an escape path. Don't.
CONDITIONSRight beside the front/exit door
Keep the unit clear of the doorway and never block the exit. If it falls inside the opening's restricted zone, add a fire-rated barrier — and check the egress path stays clear.
CONDITIONSDirectly below a window
Inside the opening's restricted zone. Either offset the unit out of the zone or fit a fire-rated barrier extending beyond it.
CONDITIONSNext to a glass sliding door
Treated as a large opening and usually an exit. Apply the opening clearance, keep the doorway/egress clear, and barrier-up if needed.
OKBeside the meter box / switchboard
Generally fine and often convenient for cable runs — provided you keep the switchboard's working clearance and access to the main switch, and don't encroach on any opening.
CONDITIONSOn a wall shared with a bedroom or living room
The wall backs onto a habitable room, so a fire-rated barrier is required between the battery and that wall (or relocate the unit).
OKIn the garage
A classic compliant spot — non-habitable. Provide vehicle impact protection (bollards or position out of the vehicle path) and keep it off the pedestrian exit route.
OKShed, carport or external wall
Usually ideal. Confirm the unit's IP/weather rating and operating temperature range for the exposure, and keep openings clearances.
NOInside a bedroom, living room or kitchen
Habitable room — not permitted.
NOCeiling space, roof space or wall cavity
Concealed space — not permitted.
Don't forget
- Manufacturer's instructions also apply and are often stricter than the standard — meet whichever is more conservative.
- Signage is required: warning/shutdown signage at the battery system, the relevant switchboard and the main switchboard/point of supply.
- Vehicle impact protection wherever a car can reach the unit.
- Temperature & ventilation per the product — avoid hot, sealed or poorly ventilated spots.
- Access for isolation and maintenance must be maintained around the unit.
WISE quick checklist
✓ Non-habitable location (garage, shed, plant room, external wall)?
✓ Not under stairs, not blocking any exit or escape route?
✓ Clear of windows, doors, vents and exits — or fire-rated barrier fitted?
✓ Habitable room behind the wall? Barrier in place?
✓ Switchboard / main-switch access kept clear?
✓ Vehicle impact protection where needed?
✓ Within the product's temperature & IP rating?
✓ Required signage installed at battery, switchboard and main switchboard?
General information only. Design and installation of battery systems must be performed by a suitably licensed and CEC-accredited electrician to the current AS/NZS 5139 and the manufacturer's instructions. WISE Energy accepts no liability for reliance on this guide.