IP Ratings Explained: Outdoor & Bathroom Lighting in Australia (IP20 to IP68)
Last updated June 2026. A plain-English but complete guide to IP ratings for choosing outdoor, bathroom and wet-area fittings in Australia — including the full digit tables, a common-ratings cheat sheet and AS/NZS 3000 bathroom zones.
What does an IP rating mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection, defined by the international standard IEC 60529. The two digits after "IP" rate how well an enclosure keeps out solid objects (including dust) and water. The higher each digit, the better the protection.
How to read an IP rating
Take IP65 as an example:
- IP — Ingress Protection
- 6 — first digit: fully dust-tight
- 5 — second digit: protected against water jets
If a digit is shown as an X (for example IPX4), it means that property simply wasn't tested or rated — not that it has zero protection.
First digit: protection from solids and dust (0–6)
| Digit | Protected against |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Solid objects over 50 mm (e.g. a hand) |
| 2 | Objects over 12.5 mm (e.g. a finger) |
| 3 | Objects over 2.5 mm (tools, thick wires) |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm (most wires, screws) |
| 5 | Dust-protected — limited ingress, no harmful deposit |
| 6 | Dust-tight — no ingress at all |
Second digit: protection from water (0–9K)
| Digit | Protected against | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | — |
| 1 | Dripping water (vertical) | Indoor only |
| 2 | Dripping water tilted up to 15° | Indoor only |
| 3 | Spraying water up to 60° from vertical | Sheltered outdoor |
| 4 | Splashing from any direction | Eaves, bathroom Zone 2 |
| 5 | Low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle) | Exposed walls, gardens |
| 6 | Powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle) | Coastal, wash-down areas |
| 7 | Temporary immersion to 1 m (30 min) | In-ground, bathroom Zone 0 |
| 8 | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m (maker-specified) | Pond, pool, submersible |
| 9K | Close-range high-pressure, high-temperature steam jets | Industrial / heavy wash-down |
Common IP ratings at a glance
| Rating | What it means | Where you'd use it |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Finger-safe, no water protection | Standard indoor fittings |
| IP44 | Splash-resistant | Under eaves, bathroom Zone 2 |
| IP54 | Dust-protected + splash | General outdoor, semi-exposed |
| IP65 | Dust-tight + water jets | Exposed walls, floods, gardens |
| IP66 | Dust-tight + powerful jets | Coastal, wash-down |
| IP67 | Dust-tight + temporary immersion | In-ground, path and step lights |
| IP68 | Dust-tight + continuous immersion | Pond, pool and submersible lights |
What IP rating do outdoor lights need?
It depends on how exposed the fitting is:
- Under eaves / sheltered porches: IP44 is usually enough.
- Exposed walls (up/down lights, coach lights): IP54–IP65.
- Gardens, paths and in-ground: IP65–IP67 (anything that gets hosed or sits in wet soil).
- Coastal / beachfront: IP66 and corrosion-resistant materials for salt spray.
- Ponds, pools and water features: IP68, rated to the submersion depth.
Up/Down Curved Wall Light — IP65, 3000K
IP65 makes this suitable for exposed exterior walls, not just sheltered spots.
$51.00 View product →What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
Bathrooms are split into zones under AS/NZS 3000, based on distance from the bath or shower. The closer and wetter the zone, the higher the IP rating required:
| Zone | Where | Minimum IP |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the bath or shower | IPX7 |
| Zone 1 | Directly above the bath/shower | IPX4 (IPX5 if hosed) |
| Zone 2 | 0.6 m beyond Zone 1 | IPX4 |
Outside the zones a standard fitting is generally fine, but exhaust fans and heat lamps over a shower still need to suit the location. Always confirm zone boundaries and requirements against the current AS/NZS 3000 — see our plain-English AS/NZS 3000 overview.
Slim LED Flood Light — 30 W, IP65
IP65 flood for driveways, yards and security lighting.
$67.95 View product →What about IK ratings (impact resistance)?
IP only covers solids and water — it says nothing about knocks. That's the job of the IK rating (IEC 62262), which runs from IK00 (no protection) to IK10 (withstands a 20-joule impact). For vandal-prone spots — car parks, public walkways, sports courts, low bollards — look for an IK08 rating or higher alongside the IP rating.
Don't forget the accessories
The light fitting isn't the only thing that needs a rating. Outdoor power points, switches and junction boxes should match the location too — look for IP-rated weatherproof power points, weatherproof switches and sealed junction boxes on any exposed run.
Browse IP-rated ranges at ARCK
We carry weatherproof lighting and accessories at trade prices: exterior lights, flood lights, LED bunker lights, garden lights and exhaust fans. Not sure which rating you need? Call the trade counter and we'll point you to the right fitting.
Frequently asked questions
What does IP65 mean?
IP65 means the fitting is fully dust-tight (first digit 6) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction (second digit 5). It's a common rating for exposed outdoor wall lights and flood lights.
Is IP44 OK for outdoors in Australia?
IP44 is fine for sheltered spots like under eaves or a covered porch, where the fitting is splashed but not hosed or rained on directly. For exposed walls, gardens or anywhere it gets wet, step up to IP65.
What's the difference between IP65, IP66, IP67 and IP68?
All four are dust-tight. IP65 handles water jets, IP66 handles powerful jets (good for coastal), IP67 survives temporary immersion to 1 m, and IP68 is rated for continuous immersion — the choice for pond, pool and submersible lights.
What does the X mean in a rating like IPX4?
The X means that property wasn't tested or rated. IPX4 tells you the water protection (4 = splashing) but the solids/dust protection simply wasn't assessed — it doesn't mean zero.
What IP rating do I need above a shower?
Directly above a bath or shower (Zone 1) the minimum is IPX4, rising to IPX5 if the area is cleaned with a hose. Inside the bath or shower itself (Zone 0) requires IPX7. Confirm the zones against AS/NZS 3000.
Need a hand picking the parts? Call the trade counter on (02) 9890 9693 or drop in to 589 Church St, North Parramatta. Order online for free Click & Collect, with metro delivery from $19.90 calculated at checkout.