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i can smell gas in the house what do i do

The question, put plainly: What should I do if I smell gas?

The short answer

Do not operate any electrical switch or appliance. Turn off the supply if you can reach it safely, open the space up, get everyone outside, and call the gas emergency line from outside the building.

TradieAnswers editorial · written in-house and sourced to the authorities listed below

Checked against 5 published sources, listed in full at the end of this page. How we source this

Natural gas and LPG have an odourant added specifically so that a leak is detectable, because the gas itself has no smell. If you can smell it, treat it as real rather than as something to investigate.

What to do, in order

Do not operate any electrical switch, light, appliance, garage door or phone inside the building. A switch contact produces a spark.
Extinguish any naked flame, and do not smoke.
If it is safe and quick, turn off the gas at the meter or at the cylinder valve.
Open doors and windows on the way out.
Get everyone out, including pets, and go well clear of the building.
From outside, call the gas emergency number for your network, which is a different number from your retailer.

What not to do

Do not use a lighter or a match to look for the leak.
Do not use a mains-powered fan to clear the smell.
Do not re-enter until you have been told it is safe.
Do not assume a faint smell that comes and goes is nothing, particularly near an appliance.

LPG behaves differently

LPG is heavier than air and pools at low points rather than rising and dispersing. That makes leaks in a subfloor, a basement, a pit or a boat particularly dangerous, and it is why LPG cylinders must be stored and used in ventilated positions rather than in enclosed spaces.

Who does this work

You need a licensed gasfitter

Because gas work is licensed in every state and territory under a separate licence class from general plumbing, with no householder exemption at all.

This is licensed work in every Australian state and territory. Check a licence in your state

Where are you?

Who regulates plumbing and gas in your state

Trade regulation in Australia is state law, so the body that answers this depends on where the work is. Pick yours.

New South Wales — NSW Fair Trading: Plumbing, draining and gasfitting are separate licence classes. Work must be notified and is subject to inspection. How to check a licence in NSW
Victoria — Building and Plumbing Commission: Licenses and registers plumbers across separate classes of work. Licensed plumbing work generates a compliance certificate you should be given. How to check a licence in VIC
Queensland — Queensland Building and Construction Commission: Licenses plumbers and drainers. Notifiable work must be submitted to the QBCC after completion. How to check a licence in QLD
Western Australia — Building and Energy: Plumbing contractor and tradesperson licensing, and gasfitting authorisation, sit with the same body. How to check a licence in WA
South Australia — Consumer and Business Services: Plumbing and gas fitting are treated as building work but need specific plumbing, gas fitting and electrical licence classes, known as PGE. How to check a licence in SA
Tasmania — Consumer, Building and Occupational Services: Plumbers, gasfitters and auto gasfitters are licensed occupations, all searchable in one place. How to check a licence in TAS
Australian Capital Territory — Access Canberra: Plumbers, drainers and gasfitters are licensed construction occupations in the ACT. How to check a licence in ACT
Northern Territory — Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board: Holds the list of currently licensed plumbers and drainers. The board can also confirm a licence by phone if a name is not appearing. How to check a licence in NT

What to do now

Do not operate switches, appliances or anything that could spark, including a phone, while you are inside.
Turn the gas off at the meter or cylinder if you can reach it safely.
Open doors and windows on your way out, and get everyone outside.
Call your gas distributor's emergency line from outside. That number is on your gas bill and the service is around the clock.

Sources

Every source below was fetched and its response recorded on the date shown. Where a government site blocks automated clients, that is noted rather than reported as a successful check.

Energy Safe Victoria · Energy Safe VictoriaChecked 2026-08-10 · responded 200 OK
Buying safe appliances · Energy Safe VictoriaChecked 2026-08-10 · responded 200 OK
Office of the Technical Regulator · Government of South AustraliaChecked 2026-08-10 · live, but blocks automated clients so the specific page could not be confirmed
Product Safety Australia · Australian Competition and Consumer CommissionChecked 2026-08-10 · responded 200 OK
Building and Energy · Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (WA)Checked 2026-08-10 · responded 200 OK