Every week someone emails us the same question: can I put this on my wall without calling an electrician? Short answer: yes, if it's a plug-in. No, if it's hardwired. Here's how to pick between them and the one rule Australian renters keep getting wrong.
What's the difference between plug-in and hardwired wall lights?
A plug-in wall light mounts to the wall with screws and runs a cord down to a power point. You hang it yourself in twenty minutes with a drill and a spirit level.
A hardwired wall light connects directly to the wiring inside your wall. There's no cord, no plug, and no visible power source. It switches from the wall like your ceiling lights do. In Australia, only a licensed electrician can legally install one. That's not a recommendation, it's law under AS/NZS 3000, and DIY wiring can void your home insurance.
Which should you choose?
| Plug-in | Hardwired | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | DIY, about 20 minutes | Licensed electrician required |
| Install cost | Nothing beyond the light | Get an electrician's quote first |
| Cord visible | Yes | No |
| Wall switch control | No (inline switch or smart plug) | Yes |
| Renters | Yes, with landlord OK for screw holes | Almost never |
| Resale value | Leaves with you | Stays with the house |
Choose plug-in if you rent, you move often, or the wall you want to light has no wiring behind it and you'd rather not open it up.
Choose hardwired if you own, you're mid-renovation with walls already open, or you want the clean look with no cord. If an electrician is coming for other work anyway, adding a wall light to that job usually costs far less than a standalone callout, so ask for the combined quote.
One opinion we'll stand behind: in a hallway, go hardwired. A cord running down a high-traffic wall will annoy you every single day, and hallways rarely have a spare power point where you need it.
Can renters install wall lights at all?
Yes. Plug-in wall lights only need two or three screw holes, which most landlords approve the same way they'd approve hanging a mirror. Ask in writing first. Fill the holes when you leave. Done.
What renters cannot do is hardwire anything, remove an existing fitting, or touch a light switch's wiring. If a "renter-friendly" product listing tells you otherwise, close the tab.
What about battery and rechargeable wall lights?
They exist, and for one narrow use case they're good: lighting a spot with no power point nearby, like a stairwell or a picture wall. Expect to recharge every one to four weeks depending on use, and expect softer light output than mains power delivers.
For a light you'll use every evening, a bedside or living room wall, batteries get old fast. The recharging routine sounds fine in week one and gets abandoned by week six. Mains power is the right call for daily-use lights.
How high should a wall light be mounted?
- Bedside: 90–100 cm above the mattress top, centred to the pillow, about 15–30 cm out from the bed edge
- Hallway: 152–170 cm from the floor to the centre of the fitting
- Living room: 160–170 cm, or eye level for the seated position if it's beside a sofa
- Either side of a mirror: centred at 150–160 cm
These aren't rules, they're starting points. Tape a paper cutout to the wall at the proposed height and live with it for a day before you drill.
Where does Battii sit in all this?
Our range is hardwired. We made that call deliberately: at this level of design, alabaster stone, hand-finished ceramic, brushed brass, a cord hanging underneath undoes the whole effect. Every light is AS/NZS certified, priced between $200 and $500, and ships free from our NSW warehouse in 2–3 business days. Your electrician handles the connection; the wiring is standard.
Three to start with:
- The Petalo, carved alabaster that glows amber when lit. The bedside light people buy twice, one for each side.
- The Volta, a matte white ceramic cylinder that suits hallways and reading corners.
- The Solara, ceramic sunburst with an opal globe, made for the wall everyone sees first.
Not sure whether your wall can take a hardwired fitting? Email hello@battii.com.au with a photo of the spot and we'll tell you straight, including when the honest answer is "get an electrician to look first."
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an electrician to install a wall light in Australia?
For hardwired wall lights, yes, it's a legal requirement under AS/NZS 3000. Plug-in wall lights need no electrician; you mount them with screws and plug them into a power point.
How much does it cost to install a hardwired wall light?
Rates vary by state, access, and whether wiring already exists at the spot, so get a quote from a licensed electrician before you buy the light. Adding a wall light to a job the electrician is already doing is the cheapest path.
Can you convert a hardwired wall light to plug-in?
Some fittings can be converted with a cord-and-plug kit fitted by a licensed electrician, but not all. Check with the manufacturer before buying.
Are plug-in wall lights safe?
Yes, provided they carry Australian electrical certification (the RCM mark) and cords are kept clear of rugs and door frames. They're no different from a table lamp, just mounted.
