All appliances sold in Australia have a compliance plate. It is a legal requirement. A compliance plate is a small metal tag which states the model of the machine, and usually the power ratings and any design standards etc to which it complies.
The problem is that, to stop the plate from being removed, damaged, in the way or burnt or whatever, some manufacturers do a pretty good job of hiding the compliance plates. But we have to find them, so here's a few places to start looking.
The golden rule to remember is that the shortened model on the front of the appliance is rarely enough. E.G. a Westinghouse 600 stove could be one of hundreds of models. (Hoover washers are an exception)
Fridges
These are often the most confusing. The compliance plate is nearly always on the front, and not the back. Some very early Frigidaire by General Motors fridges had the model stamped on the back, but generally forget looking there. The one you want is on the front. To make matters more confusing there is a model number on the back, but it is the model of the compressor (the motor) and not that of the fridge.
First look inside around the opening of the door or inside the crispers on the side wall of the fridge. If it isn't there, pull the kickplate off. sometimes it is behind there.
Remember they have made Westinghouse Silhouette fridges for 25 years. We are going to ask you for a model number. It is there somewhere. Seek and you shall find.
Ovens
Usually the model will be around the opening of the oven door or inside the griller compartment in the bottom left or right hand corners.
Cooktops
Lift the cooktop up or open the cupboards underneath and look up and check where the power comes in. There is usually a tag attatched to the body of the stove near the terminal box, or on it.
Washing machines and dryers
Usually it's on the back. Some dryers have it near the opening of the door. Some even have it on the door hinge. The door hinge is a replaceable item, so if you ever had to replace the hinge, your model would be gone forever. If you do have one where the number is on the hinge, write the model number on the back of your machine in permanent ink!
Microwaves
On the back, or around the opening of the door.
Dishwashers
Nearly all dishwashers have the model number around the opening of the door. You shouldn't have to pull it out from under the bench.
Rangehood
Remove the rangehood filters. The model number is located on the underside of the canopy behind the filters.
