The invention provides a lighting apparatus control switch which uses a detection circuit to monitor a parameter which is dependent on the output current flowing to a lighting load when the lighting apparatus control switch is turned off. The lighting apparatus control switch is configured as an on/off controller or a dimming controller in dependence on the monitored parameter. This lighting apparatus control switch can thus be configured as a dimmable switch, for example implementing leading or trailing edge dimming, or as an on/off switch. The lighting apparatus control switch provides a universal dimmer solution which may be future-proof to allow installation of newer generation lighting loads.