A PLB is a last line of defence in a genuine emergency. When you activate it, you need it to work. That reliability depends entirely on the battery inside, and batteries don’t last forever.
This guide covers what you need to know about PLB battery replacement in Australia: when to do it, why it must be done by an authorised centre, and where to get your specific device serviced.
Battery Shelf Life
PLB battery life varies by manufacturer and model, but is typically around five to ten years. The battery expiry or replacement date is marked on the beacon and should be checked before every trip. Once that date is reached, the battery can no longer be relied upon to sustain the beacon’s required distress transmission. A PLB that has been activated in an emergency should also be returned to the manufacturer or an authorised service centre for inspection and battery replacement before being relied upon again.
Don’t wait until the expiry date arrives. Arrange servicing at least a few months in advance, particularly before any major remote trip.
Why You Can’t Replace It Yourself
PLB batteries are not user-replaceable. This isn’t just a manufacturer recommendation, it’s a compliance requirement under Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4280.2 for PLBs (and 4280.1 for EPIRBs).
Opening the unit yourself risks:
- Compromising the waterproof seals that protect the electronics
- Incorrect installation that causes the device to fail silently
- Loss of compliance with carriage requirements under Commonwealth, State, or Territory law
The built-in self-test function on most PLBs does not verify full compliance. A beacon that passes its own test may still fail to transmit correctly in the field if it has been improperly serviced.
If your PLB is required by law to be carried, on a vessel or aircraft, for example, a non-compliant device doesn’t satisfy that requirement.
What Authorised Servicing Includes
When you send your PLB to the manufacturer or an approved service centre, the service typically covers:
- Full device inspection for damage or degradation
- New battery installation with a new manufacturer-specified expiry or replacement date
- Replacement of waterproof seals and resealing
- Hydrostatic pressure testing
- Full function test and signal verification
- Software update where applicable
The cost is modest relative to the purpose of the device.
Where to Get Your PLB Serviced in Australia
Servicing must be carried out by the manufacturer or their certified agent. Check the label on the side of your beacon for the brand, then use the contacts below.
- ACR, refer to acrartex.com for the current servicing contact list
- CETC, Great Circle Marine Pty Ltd, Queensland. Ph: 07 3343 8384
- GME, serviced by GME in Sydney only. gme.net.au or Ph: 1300 463 463
- Jotron, refer to jotron.com for the current servicing contact list
- Kannad, RFD Australia/Survitec Group has ceased operations in Australia. Servicing no longer available locally.
- Kinetic Technology International (KTI), KTI has ceased operations. Servicing no longer available. Instruction manuals at kti.com.au
- McMurdo, AMI Sales, O’Connor WA. amisales.com.au or Ph: 08 9331 0000
- Ocean Signal, All Sat Communications, Melbourne. allsat.com.au or Ph: 1300 747 587
- Other brands, refer to the manufacturer’s website for current Australian service contacts.
If you’re unsure whether your servicing agent is authorised, contact the manufacturer directly before sending the device.
Check Your Expiry Date Now
The replacement date is on the beacon. If it’s within the next 12 months, start the process now. Turnaround times vary by manufacturer and can take a few weeks.
A PLB is a genuine last-resort safety device. Keeping it compliant and current is part of managing your equipment reliability before you need it.
Main image: Mdarcangelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cheri Bruhn
Sharee Gaiser My PLB1 arrived!
Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10226145157165926&set=p.10226145157165926&type=3
Cheri Bruhn Make sure you register it first thing
Andrew Luecke Ok, I didn’t know I had to register it….thanks.
Cheri Bruhn nice one. here’s more info on why to register and the registration portal. https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/registration/
Out of curiosity, did they include a sheet in there about registration with AMSA? They did in my ACR, so just wondering if its normal
After having mine almost seven years, it’s just been sent off for replacement.
Trail Hiking Australia which brand, and back to manufacturer?
Gavan Mitchell the rescueme PLB 1. Didn’t go back to manufacturer, went to an authorised service centre in Victoria.
Trail Hiking Australia excellent to know there’s one here in Vic. I have the same PLB and wasn’t sure of the process. Roughly what’s the cost of a new battery?
Gavan Mitchell I was going to share the photo I took of mine with the request form. But realised my address is on it. Here’s the link to All Sat. Cost was $209. https://allsat.com.au/battery-replacement-info/
Trail Hiking Australia brilliant, thanks for that. 👍
Gavan Mitchell the process for a replacement is as follows:
1. Download the form (link below)
2. Post the completed form and PLB to them.
3. They will then replace the battery and service it
4. They will send you and invoice. Once paid, they will post it back to you.
https://allsat.com.au/allsatprod/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/QMS-500-11-Service-Request-2025.pdf?
Trail Hiking Australia May I ask where you sent yours? I got a quote for $270 for my battery replacement and am considering buying a new one instead or upgrading tbh.
😊😊
Sarah McDonald no problem at all. Here’s where I sent mine. Here’s the link to All Sat. Cost was $209. https://allsat.com.au/battery-replacement-info/
The process for a replacement is as follows:
1. Download the form (link below)
2. Post the completed form and PLB to them.
3. They will then replace the battery and service it
4. They will send you and invoice. Once paid, they will post it back to you.
https://allsat.com.au/allsatprod/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/QMS-500-11-Service-Request-2025.pdf?
Trail Hiking Australia thank you 🙏
Any idea if anyone can replace the battery in a kti plb? The kti website says that these services are no longer available due to the company ceasing operation.
More info here: https://kti.com.au/
Darren Bowman yeah I don’t know where to get them serviced sorry. There was a bit of a run on them because people thought they were an Aussie product. Turns out they were only assembled here. If I find out, I’ll let you know.
Darren Bowman a stab in the dark: try contacting RescueMe importer in Scoresby? to see if they can do it (also ACR). Consider that my RescueMe battery replacement cost me $180 a few years ago, so it’s a large % of the cost of a new PLB.
Richard Clarke I’ve included a list in the post of the only service centres in Australia authorised to replace batteries. Seems KTI is no longer supported for a battery replacement program. But agree either way your comment, it’s always worth a shot.
Hmm… I’m thinking it will be worth starting again. Thanks for your comments.
Darren Bowman it does sound like it unfortunately
Never leave home without it….even on day hikes 😎
Mick Ferris totally agree. Mines always in my pack.