Outdoor and Security Lighting for Gold Coast Homes
4 min read · Electrical · Published 2026-07-07
Good outdoor lighting deters intruders, prevents trips and adds usable space to your yard. Here is how to plan it and what a licensed electrician actually installs.
Dark entry paths and unlit yards are an invitation. A well-lit exterior does three things: it deters opportunistic break-ins, it keeps your family safe on steps and paths at night, and it extends liveable outdoor space into the evening. Getting it right is partly design and partly compliance.
Book outdoor lighting through our general electrical service and we will quote the whole job in a single visit. We serve coastal properties in Mermaid Beach and Palm Beach.
Types of outdoor lighting
Different fittings serve different purposes. Most homes use a mix.
- Sensor (PIR) floodlights — triggered by movement, high deterrent value, low running cost
- Pathway and step lights — low-level, always-on or dusk-to-dawn, prevent falls
- Soffit and eave downlights — welcoming light over entries and entertaining areas
- Garden and feature lights — low-voltage landscape systems, often 12 V
- CCTV illuminators — infrared or white-light floods paired with cameras
Weatherproofing and IP ratings
All outdoor fittings must carry an IP (Ingress Protection) rating suitable for their location. A fitting that will receive direct rain needs at least IP44. One installed near a pool or sprinkler zone needs IP65 or higher. Using an unrated fitting outdoors is both a safety issue and a compliance issue.
What needs a licensed electrician
Any 240 V wiring, new circuit, or connection to the switchboard is licensed electrical work in Queensland. That includes sensor floodlights, hardwired pathway lights, eave downlights and any cable run. Low-voltage 12 V plug-and-play garden systems are a DIY grey area, but the transformer connecting them to 240 V still needs a licensed installation.
Tip: Plan sensor light positions before the electrician arrives. Aim sensors at the path of approach rather than straight down — you want a wide view, not just a circle directly below.
Key takeaways
- Match IP ratings to the exposure of each fitting location.
- Sensor floodlights offer the best deterrence-to-running-cost ratio.
- Any 240 V wiring outdoors is licensed electrical work in Queensland.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install my own sensor light?
- If the fitting plugs into an existing outdoor powerpoint, yes. If it hardwires into the wall or ceiling, no — that is licensed electrical work in Queensland.
- How many sensor lights do I need?
- Cover every access point to the home and any dark pathway. Overlapping coverage is better than gaps. We lay this out on site during the quote.
- How quickly can FitElec attend?
- We are open 24 hours for urgent electrical work and book standard jobs within days. Call Jayson on 0425 663 172 for a current schedule.
- Where does FitElec work?
- FitElec is based at Palm Beach and services the whole Gold Coast, from Coolangatta to Coomera and everywhere in between.
Related services
Questions? Call FitElec on 0425 663 172 — Gold Coast's licensed electricians.