Smart relays
Smart relays are small modules that wire in behind a switch or fitting you already have, adding app and voice control without changing how the wall looks. The retrofit pick when you want to keep your existing switches.
What a relay does
A smart relay sits in the wall behind your existing switch or inside a fitting, switching the load on and off while the original switch keeps working. You get app and voice control, and the wall plate stays as it is.
WiFi vs Zigbee
WiFi modules join your home network directly with no hub. Zigbee modules need a hub or coordinator but run on a local mesh, which suits larger setups and Home Assistant.
Dry contact
A dry-contact relay switches a separate circuit rather than mains power, handy for garage doors, gates and heating that expect a momentary signal.
Sizing
Check the relay's rated load in amps against what it controls, and confirm there is room in the wall box.
Coming soon
We're still kitting out Relays
We're lining up relays for Australian smart-home setups (chosen for protocol-clean installs and worth the wait). Check back soon, or keep exploring the rest of Switches.
Browse all Switches More about smart relays
Choosing a smart relay.
Check your switch box has a neutral
Most relays need a neutral wire to power themselves, and they need enough depth in the wall box to fit behind the existing switch. Newer Australian homes usually have a neutral at the switch; older ones often do not. A handful of no-neutral relays exist if yours is wired the old way.
Match the protocol to your setup
Pick a WiFi relay if you want the simplest path and have no hub. Pick a Zigbee relay if you run Home Assistant or already have a Zigbee coordinator, since the local mesh stays responsive as you add more. Both give you app and voice control once set up.
Decide what you are switching
A standard relay switches a light or powered circuit. A dry-contact relay sends a momentary signal instead, which is what garage doors, gates and some heaters expect. Check the rated amps against the load so the relay is comfortably within its limit.
Common questions
Quick answers before you buy. We test this gear ourselves. Can't find yours? Ask our Melbourne team
Yes. That is the point of a relay. It wires in behind the switch you already have, so the switch keeps working manually while the relay adds app and voice control. The wall plate does not change. If you want a new look or extra buttons, a smart light switch replaces the plate instead.
In Australia, wiring a relay into mains involves work behind the switch, so a licensed electrician should do the install. It is quick for them, often under fifteen minutes per relay. Battery and plug-in options need no wiring if you would rather avoid an electrician.
Most relays handle both. A standard relay pairs with a normal toggle switch, while many also support momentary or push-button switches through a setting in the app. Check the relay's listing if your switch is the press-and-release type, common on stairwells and some bedside controls.
Yes. Relays switch many circuits, not just lighting. With a dry-contact relay you can trigger a garage door, a gate or a heater that expects a momentary pulse, and a standard relay can run an exhaust fan or pump within its rated load. Check the amps before you wire it in.
A smart switch is a wall switch, relay or plug you can control from an app, a voice assistant or an automation, instead of only by hand. It replaces or sits behind your existing fitting and works over Matter, Zigbee or Wi-Fi, depending on the model.
Most do, and most Australian homes wired to AS/NZS 3000 have a neutral at the switch. If yours does not, choose a no-neutral model or a relay that sits at the light fitting. Check before you buy: pull the switch plate and look for a bundle of black or blue wires.
For anything wired into the mains, yes. In Australia, hardwired switch, dimmer and relay work must be done by a licensed electrician. Plug-in options are the exception: smart plugs and most wall remotes need no wiring, so you can set them up yourself in minutes.
Pick by the job. Want to set brightness? A dimmer. Replacing a wall switch outright? A light switch. Keeping your existing switch and adding control behind it? A relay. Controlling a plugged-in appliance? A smart plug. Want a battery button with no wiring? A wall remote.