Outdoor lights fail more than any other fitting in the house, and it's rarely the bulb. It's rusted screws, yellowed plastic diffusers, and water inside the housing. Australian conditions — UV that destroys plastics, coastal salt air, storms that drive rain sideways — are harder on fittings than almost anywhere. Here's what separates an outdoor wall light that lasts fifteen years from one that lasts two.
What makes a wall light "outdoor rated"?
Three things: an IP rating high enough for the location (IP65 for anything exposed to weather — we've broken down what IP ratings mean separately), sealed cable entries, and materials that don't corrode or degrade in sunlight. A light without a published IP rating is an indoor light, whatever the product photo shows.
Which materials survive Australian weather?
| Material | Outdoors | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Natural stone (travertine) | Excellent — it's already spent millennia outside | Weight; needs solid fixing |
| Tempered glass | Excellent, never yellows | Cheap non-tempered glass cracks with heat cycles |
| Powder-coated aluminium | Good | Coating quality varies wildly at the budget end |
| Plastic / acrylic | Poor in Australian UV | Yellows and goes brittle within a few summers |
| Untreated steel | Avoid | Rust streaks down your render |
Coastal homes within a kilometre or two of salt water should be pickiest: marine-grade stainless fixings matter as much as the fitting itself.
Where should outdoor wall lights go?
Front door first — one fitting beside the door (160–170 cm to centre) or a matched pair for a wider entry. Then the alfresco or patio wall, where an up/down fitting gives usable evening light without floodlight glare. Garage and side passage last, and honestly a motion-sensor floodlight does those jobs better than a designer fitting; save the good pieces for where people linger.
Do outdoor wall lights need an electrician?
Hardwired ones, yes — AS/NZS 3000 applies outdoors exactly as it does inside, and outdoor circuits have extra earthing and RCD requirements. Solar and plug-in options exist for garden ambience, but for a permanent fixture on the house, hardwired is the durable answer.
What should a good outdoor wall light cost?
Sub-$80 fittings are where the yellowing plastic and rusting screws live. Designer outdoor ranges run $600+. The $200–$400 middle buys tempered glass or natural stone with proper seals. Ours sit there: The Luma, carved travertine and IP65, and The Orb, tempered glass, also IP65. Both AS/NZS certified, free shipping from NSW. The full set is in outdoor wall lights.
Frequently asked questions
What IP rating do outdoor wall lights need in Australia?
IP65 for walls exposed to rain. Under a deep verandah or eave, IP44 can be acceptable, but IP65 removes the judgement call.
Can indoor wall lights be used outside under cover?
No. Even covered outdoor areas see humidity, dust, and temperature swings indoor fittings aren't sealed against, and using them outdoors typically voids certification and insurance.
How high should outdoor wall lights be mounted?
160–170 cm from ground to fixture centre beside doors; slightly higher (up to 180 cm) on large blank walls for spread.
Do outdoor lights attract insects?
Warm white LEDs (2700–3000K) attract noticeably fewer insects than cool white or older bulb types. Another reason to skip cool white outdoors.
