G'day! You're in the shed, the garage, or on the patio, and you need to whack in a new power point. But you're staring at a solid brick wall, a concrete block, or maybe even the wavy metal of a Colorbond shed. You can't just cut a neat little rectangle into it like you do with Gyprock. Trying that is a recipe for a proper dog's breakfast.

So, how in the bloody hell do you fix a GPO (General Purpose Outlet, or as we all call it, a power point) to a solid wall?

That's where the humble, hard-working, and fair dinkum essential bit of kit comes in: the GPO mounting block.

So, What is a GPO Mounting Block, Exactly?

A GPO mounting block (or 'surface mount block') is a tough, insulated base, usually made of high-impact plastic, that you fix onto the surface of the wall first.

Your licensed electrician then runs their conduit (that grey pipe) neatly into one of the cut-outs on the block. The block itself has a flat face, providing a perfect, secure, and safe base for them to wire up and attach the GPO.

It's the absolute standard for any "surface-mount" electrical job where the wiring isn't hidden inside a wall cavity.

The Ripper Benefits: Why You'd Need One

This simple block is a proper lifesaver on a worksite.

• It's for Solid Walls (The Big One): This is its number one job. It's the go-to solution for installing fittings on solid surfaces like brick, concrete, and Besser blocks without having to chase a massive, destructive channel into the wall.
• Perfect for Sheds and Garages: A GPO mounting block is the standard for any shed or workshop fit-out, where the wiring is almost always run on the surface in conduit.
• Fixes Uneven Surfaces: Got a rough, textured, or uneven wall? A mounting block gives you a perfectly flat, clean surface for the power point to sit on, so there are no ugly gaps.
• Weatherproof Option: You can get special IP-rated (weatherproof) versions of these blocks, which are non-negotiable for safely installing an outdoor power point on the side of the house.
• Special Versions: There are even clever ones, like corrugated mounting blocks, that are moulded to fit perfectly onto the wavy profile of a metal shed wall.

The CRITICAL Safety Warning: This is 100% NOT a DIY Job!

Righto, let's get dead serious for a sec, because this is the most important part of the whole article.

You, as a DIYer, can walk into any hardware store or electrical wholesaler and buy a GPO mounting block. That's fine. You can even screw the empty block to your shed wall if you're feeling handy.

But the absolute second you need to run the 240V cable to it and wire up the GPO, you MUST STOP.

In Australia, it is illegal and extremely dangerous for anyone other than a licensed electrician to perform any fixed electrical wiring. A simple mistake can lead to a fatal electric shock or a house fire, and it will void your home insurance in a heartbeat. Don't be a galah – it's just not worth the risk.

A Professional Job Needs Professional Gear

A licensed electrician will always use high-quality, trade-grade fittings to make sure the job is safe, compliant, and built to last. They won't risk their reputation on a flimsy, brittle block or a dodgy power point that'll be knackered after one summer.

They get their gear from a trusted electrical wholesaler. As one of Australia's most comprehensive electrical wholesaler and supplier networks, Schnap Electric Products stocks the lot for the professional installer. They've got a massive range of high-quality GPO mounting block options (in all shapes, sizes, and colours like black and white) to suit any job, plus all the compliant, trade-quality GPOs (with USB!), switches, conduits, and wiring that a qualified professional needs to do the job right. For a job that's safe, compliant, and built to last, the pros rely on a supplier like Schnap Electric.