Plumbers jobs in Australia

Licensing

Licensing by state

A licence or registration is required in every Australian state and territory before you can carry out plumbing work — there is no unlicensed pathway anywhere in the country. Each jurisdiction has its own plumbing regulator, its own licence classes and its own split between doing the work, supervising it, certifying it and contracting directly to customers.

the Australian Capital Territory

The Construction Occupations Registrar, through Access Canberra, licenses plumbers, drainers and gasfitters under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004, with mandatory qualifications set out in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration 2024. Plumber classes include sanitary plumber, water supply plumber, journeyperson plumber and fire sprinkler fitter, with separate drainer classes from advanced sanitary drainer to operative drainer, and gasfitter classes including restricted LPG and automotive work.

New South Wales

Building Commission NSW (Fair Trading) issues plumbing, draining and gasfitting credentials. A tradesperson certificate (or provisional certificate for apprentices and trainees) lets you do the work under general supervision and requires Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420 or later). A qualified supervisor certificate or contractor licence requires Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920 or later) plus two years of combined industry experience, and a National Police Check no older than four months.

the Northern Territory

The Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board, established under the Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Act 1983, licenses plumbers and drainers in the Northern Territory. An advanced tradesman licence allows the holder to contract for and carry out plumbing and draining work and to supervise apprentices, journeymen and trades assistants. Certifying plumbing and drainage work is a separate registration granted by the Building Practitioners Board under the Building Act 1993.

Queensland

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) issues plumbing and drainage licences. An occupational plumber and/or drainer licence allows an individual to work in the trade, with restricted classes such as restricted water plumber and restricted drainer for on-site sewage facilities. Contractor, nominee supervisor and site supervisor licences cover running a business, supervising work and lodging notifiable work with the QBCC.

South Australia

Consumer and Business Services registers plumbing workers under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995 and the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Regulations 2025. All plumbing and gas fitting workers, including apprentices, must hold a photographic registration card, which runs for three years, and contracting to the public requires a plumbing contractor's licence with a National Police Certificate no more than 12 months old.

Tasmania

Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), within the Department of Justice, issues plumbing practitioner licences under the Occupational Licensing Act 2005 and the Occupational Licensing (Plumbing Work) Regulations 2021. Categories include the practitioner's licence, restricted plumbing licences and a provisional licence for applicants with overseas qualifications who need to complete gap training.

Victoria

The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which took over plumbing regulation from the Victorian Building Authority, registers and licenses plumbers individually — it does not register plumbing companies. Registration lets you lawfully carry out plumbing work in a class and lasts up to three years. A licence additionally allows you to do design work, supervise apprentices and other plumbers, and issue compliance certificates, and lasts up to 12 months with insurance maintained.

Western Australia

The Plumbers Licensing Board, supported by Building and Energy, licenses plumbers under the WA plumbers licensing regulations. A tradesperson's licence authorises a plumber to work under the direction of a plumbing contractor on water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing, while a plumbing contractor licence authorises the holder to carry out and supervise plumbing work at both contractor and trade level. A provisional tradesperson's licence covers overseas plumbers completing gap training, and restricted plumbing permits cover limited work by other trades. Licences are renewed every three years.