Safety switches became mandatory in new houses for power point circuits in 1991 and for lighting circuits in December 2000.
Most states have similar Regs as far for the requirements of safety switches.
Although Queensland, my home state introduced a new Electrical Safety Act 2002.
This act introduced the requirment for domestic dwellings sold after Sept 2002 to be fitted with a safety switch on the power circuit within three motnths of purchase if they didn't already have one.
Eletricians may only do emergency repairs on these premises until a safety switch is fitted. A fine has been also introduced, for the owner if a safety switch is not fitted.
