Outdoor lights fail more than any other fitting in the house, and it is rarely the bulb. It is rusted screws, yellowed plastic diffusers, and water inside the housing. Australian conditions are harder on fittings than almost anywhere: UV that destroys plastics, coastal salt air, and storms that drive rain sideways. Here is what separates an outdoor wall light that lasts fifteen years from one that lasts two. Browse the range in outdoor wall lights.
What makes a wall light outdoor rated?
Three things: an IP rating high enough for the location (IP65 for anything exposed to weather, and we have broken down what IP ratings mean separately), sealed cable entries, and materials that do not 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tempered glass | Excellent, never yellows | Cheap non-tempered glass cracks with heat cycles |
| Cast or powder-coated aluminium | Good | Coating quality varies wildly at the budget end |
| Natural stone | Durable as a material, but most stone fittings are sealed for indoor use only | Check the fitting is rated, not just the stone |
| Plastic or 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. If you are chasing the coastal look specifically, see our coastal and Hamptons wall lights guide.
Where should outdoor wall lights go?
Front door first, with one fitting beside the door (160 to 170 cm to centre) or a matched pair for a wider entry. Our entryway and front door guide covers that in detail. Then the alfresco or patio wall, where an up and 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 and up. The $200 to $400 middle buys tempered glass or properly sealed metal. Ours sits there: The Orb, at $260, is a ribbed tempered glass sphere on a cast aluminium base with a warm 3000K LED, built for exposed and covered outdoor walls. AS/NZS certified, shipped from Sydney with flat-rate shipping from $15. If you need the exact IP figure for your electrician, email email@battii.com.au and we will confirm it.
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 are not sealed against, and using them outdoors typically voids certification and insurance.
How high should outdoor wall lights be mounted?
160 to 170 cm from ground to fixture centre beside doors, and slightly higher, up to 180 cm, on large blank walls for spread.
Do outdoor lights attract insects?
Warm white LEDs (2700K to 3000K) attract noticeably fewer insects than cool white or older bulb types. Another reason to skip cool white outdoors.
