Swap and Go Gas Bottles - Test Dates

I went to my local hardware store to do a Swap and Go (9/8.5kg) bottle exchange.

Having been given the bottle I checked the test date and it was 1997 so I checked everywhere on the bottle for a later test date but none was to be found. I said I was not happy with that and would like an in date bottle - the only other full bottle had a test date of 1991 and again checking the entire bottle there was no undated test date.

The attendant said that "Swap and Go" (Elgas) were exempt as they check all bottles on filling. I disputed that and indicated that it was illegal to refill out of date bottles (10 year life) and that I was sure Swap and Go checks the bottles but when doing so they should be restamped with the new test date. He said those rules no longer applied but I checked with a LPG tank/bottle tester and my understanding is correct.

Also I highlighted that while Swap and Go may accept one of their out of date bottles in exchange, if I was outback somewhere and needed to fill the bottle it would not happen with an out of date bottle. The attendent said that as it was a Swap and Go bottle no one else was allowed to fill it - I told him that was not correct and Swap and Go was a swap system with ownership of the bottle remaining with myself.

So be aware that for whatever reason bottles that you pick up as part of the Swap and Go may not display a valid test date on the bottles.

Garry