G'day! Have a squiz at the walls in your home. They're everywhere. That humble little socket on the wall that you plug the toaster, the telly, and your phone charger into. We're talking about power points, of course.

For donkey's years, they were just a daggy, cream-coloured plastic plate on the wall. But in a modern Aussie reno, they've become a proper design feature. And if your old ones are cracked, yellowing, or the plugs fall out of them, it's not just ugly – it's a fair dinkum safety hazard.

In the trade, you'll hear them called GPOs (General Purpose Outlets), but we all just know them as power points. Let's get the lowdown on the modern options and, most importantly, how to get them upgraded safely.

Why Bother Upgrading Your Old Power Points?

Your old, knackered power points aren't just letting down the look of your schmick new paint job. They can be a real problem:

• They're a Safety Risk: Old, brittle plastic can crack, exposing live terminals. Worn-out internal contacts can cause a poor connection, which can overheat and become a serious fire risk.
• They're Inconvenient: How many of us have a 'bird's nest' of double adapters and power boards behind the TV? It's a proper mess.
• They Just Look Daggy: Nothing ruins a modern reno like an old, yellowing power point.

The Modern Power Point: A Ripper Upgrade

The new generation of powerpoints is brilliant, adding a heap of convenience and style.

The USB Power Point (The Game-Changer)

This is the number one upgrade, mate. It's a standard double power point that also has one or two USB ports built right into the plate.

• Why it's a ripper: It means you can ditch those clunky, ugly charging bricks for your phone and tablet! It frees up your main sockets for the lamp and the alarm clock.
• Hot Tip: Make sure you get a new one with a USB-C port, not just the old USB-A. USB-C is the new standard, and it delivers a much faster, gruntier charge to your new phone.

The Quad Power Point (The Tidy-Upper)

This is the ultimate solution for your home office or behind the TV cabinet. It's a single wall plate with four sockets. It's a much safer, neater, and more reliable solution than a daggy old power board.

The Style Upgrade (Matte Black, Anyone?)

You're not just stuck with white anymore. Modern power points come in a heap of schmick finishes. Matte black (or Anthracite) is the go-to for a modern, architectural look, especially when you match it with your light switches. You can also get silver, grey, and other finishes to match your room.

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 might be handy with the tools. You might have watched a YouTube video. But in Australia, it is illegal and extremely dangerous for anyone other than a licensed professional to install or replace a power point.

You are dealing with 240V mains power. A simple mistake – mixing up the wires, a loose connection – can lead to a fatal electric shock or a house fire. It will also void your home insurance in a heartbeat.

Don't be a galah. This work must only ever be carried out by a licensed electrician.

A Professional Job Needs Professional Gear

A licensed electrician will do the job safely and, just as importantly, they'll use high-quality, compliant gear that's built to last. They won't risk their reputation (or your safety) on cheap, flimsy power points from a discount bin. They'll get their gear from a proper 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, compliant power points – from the latest Clipsal Iconic GPOs with USB-C, to robust weatherproof outlets for the patio. Plus, they provide all the trade-quality wiring, conduits, and safety switches a qualified professional needs to do the job right. For a safe, reliable, and schmick-looking reno, the pros rely on a supplier like Schnap Electric.