Maintaining a regular air compressor servicing schedule is essential for keeping your operation safe, efficient, and compliant with Australian regulations. Whether you operate in mining, manufacturing, construction, or workshops, understanding how often to service your compressor—and the risks of neglecting it—is critical. This article outlines typical service intervals, what affects them, and how hiring from Rent Air removes the hassle of maintenance entirely.
General Air Compressor Servicing Intervals
Service intervals vary depending on the compressor’s type, usage, and environment. As a guide:
- Daily/weekly checks: Inspect oil levels, air filters, belts, leaks, and moisture traps
- Minor service: Every 500–1,000 hours – includes oil and filter changes, belt adjustments, and system checks
- Major service: Every 2,000–4,000 hours or annually – includes internal inspections, component replacement, and full diagnostics
- Pressure vessel inspections: As required under AS/NZS 3788, typically every 1–5 years based on risk assessment
Work conditions such as high dust, humidity, or 24/7 operation can significantly reduce service intervals.
Why Air Compressor Maintenance Matters
Neglecting compressor servicing increases your risk of:
- Inefficient operation: Dirt and wear reduce performance and increase power consumption
- Unplanned downtime: Minor issues left unresolved can lead to breakdowns
- Higher operating costs: Poor maintenance accelerates wear and shortens equipment life
- Safety and compliance risks: Failure to meet AS/NZS 3788 and AS 1210 obligations can result in penalties and unsafe working conditions
- Environmental impact: Poorly maintained compressors consume more energy and generate more waste
Regular servicing supports better productivity, reliability, and safety across your site.
Your Obligations Under Australian Standards
If you own a compressor or pressure vessel, you must comply with:
- AS/NZS 3788 – In-service inspection of pressure equipment
- AS 1210 – Pressure vessel manufacturing compliance
- State-based legislation – e.g. WorkSafe WA for inspections, records, and workplace safety obligations
Failure to comply can lead to serious legal and operational consequences. Servicing must be documented and performed by qualified personnel.
Why Hire Instead of Manage It Yourself?
Hiring from Rent Air eliminates the complexity of managing industrial compressor service intervals:
- Scheduled servicing, inspections, and breakdown response handled by our team
- No need to track hours or coordinate third-party maintenance
- All equipment is fully compliant with AS/NZS standards
- Access to newer, more efficient compressors with reduced energy use
- Fewer administrative tasks and less downtime for your team
Whether you’re running a short-term project or scaling operations, Rent Air compressor hire gives you peace of mind and total reliability—without the burden of ownership.
So, how often should you service your air compressor? It depends—but getting it wrong can lead to unnecessary costs, compliance breaches, or even equipment failure. By choosing Rent Air, you’ll never have to worry. Our hire fleet is fully maintained, pressure vessel compliant, and supported around the clock. Let us take care of your servicing—so you can focus on getting the job done.
Get a quote or contact our team to learn more about our compressed air solutions.
