How LED Downlights & Ceiling Lights Are Rewiring Aussie Home Lighting

Why Australians Are Moving Away from Traditional Globes

For decades many homes used screw‑in globes (incandescent, halogens, compact fluorescents, etc.). Those days are fading fast. LEDs offer:

• Far lower power consumption

• Much longer lifespan

• Less heat, less maintenance

• More design flexibility

Instead of replacing globes, more households now choose all‑in‑one LED products. These units combine the light source and driver which get installed together. If something goes wrong, you replace the whole thing. No more hunting for the right globe or trying to match parts.

The 90 mm Cut-out: Australia’s De Facto Standard for Downlights

One key reason LED downlights are so easy to retrofit is the 90 mm cut-out. It’s now the most common ceiling hole size for domestic installations.

• Most modern LED downlights are designed for this size

• No need to modify plaster or use filler rings

• Easy swap for older halogen setups

If you’re building new or renovating, sticking with 90 mm cut-outs keeps things simple and ensures wide product compatibility in future.

GPOs in the Roof: Why They Matter

Downlights today don’t get hardwired like old-style fittings. Instead, they plug into a general power outlet (GPO) in the ceiling cavity. It’s neater, safer and makes replacement far easier down the track.

• The LED driver plugs directly into the GPO

• Electricians can install or replace lights without disconnecting fixed wiring

• It’s now the preferred method for most ceiling lighting setups in new homes

If you're replacing older lights, a licensed electrician can fit roof sockets at the same time as your new downlights.

LED Drivers: The Hidden but Crucial Piece

Behind every LED light is a driver - the small device that regulates voltage and current to keep the light running safely and efficiently.

Most LED downlights include a separate driver that connects to the light via a short cable. In many cases, the driver is matched to the light itself, both in output and control features like dimming.

That’s why when something fails - whether it’s the light or the driver - you replace both. Technology moves fast, and drivers evolve along with the LEDs they power. Mixing and matching rarely works, and can lead to flicker, dimming issues or total failure. The industry standard is to treat the light and driver as a single unit: when one goes, swap the whole thing.

Lumens, Not Watts: What Homeowners Need to Know

With traditional lighting, we used watts as a rough guide to brightness. A 60-watt bulb for a bedroom, maybe a 100-watt for the kitchen. But with LEDs, wattage doesn’t tell you how much light you're getting.

Instead, look for lumens - the actual measure of brightness.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• A 60 W incandescent puts out about 800 lumens

• A 10 W LED downlight can produce the same brightness

• That means more light, less heat, and far less energy use

This shift in thinking helps you plan lighting more accurately - and avoid over- or under-lighting a room. Most LED downlights clearly label their lumen output, so you can choose what works for each space.

From Globes to Modules: The New Normal for Ceiling Lighting

You’re no longer just buying a “fitting” and a globe. You’re buying a complete lighting unit, designed to work as one piece. That applies not only to downlights but also to ceiling-mounted LED panels and oyster lights.

These all-in-one luminaires offer a cleaner look and more efficient performance - with no need to open a fitting or fumble for a compatible bulb. Just wire them in (or plug them in, depending on the style), and you’re done.

And if something stops working? Replace the whole unit. It’s faster, cheaper and safer than trying to fix one part of a sealed system and the individual parts are rarely kept by suppliers.

For help choosing the right downlights or ceiling fittings for your home, contact Ozlighting. Our Australian-based call centre is ready to assist with honest advice, product support, and some of the best customer service in the country. Whether you're updating a single room or lighting an entire home, we're here to make it easier.