how to become a licensed plumber in Australia

How to become a licensed plumber in Australia – Australia Plumbing License

In Australia, profession of a plumber is one of the most demanding, as he/she is required to serve at various places, from homes, offices, shops to sewage plants and gas chambers. A plumber’s main job is to install pipes, drains, metal roots, enable proper sewage system etc.

Since the work requires high amount of proficiency and experience, the Australian Government has posed certain rules and regulations for one to become a licensed plumber.

To legally work in Australia as a plumber, one has to secure a registration or license. Each state of Australia has an authority or a body which looks into the complete operation of Plumber License and certifications.

What you need to have in order to become a plumber in Australia:

Physical fitness

Willingness to work in the most challenging and sometime unpleasant working conditions

High school education is a must

Background in mathematical and problem solving ability

Certifications and Apprenticeship:

First you have to attend a VET, i.e a Vocational Education and Training Institution to secure an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) certificate III, this certificate includes at least 2 years of practical training otherwise AQF IV. In case you already posses an equivalent qualification that you have obtained from some other country, you just have to get your skill accessed by certain authorities such as Vetassess or TRA, i.e Trade Recognition Australia.

Once you have managed to secure certificate III or IV, you have to get in touch with a plumbing authority of your state or territory to find out about various registrations and licenses requirement that are important to kick-start your career. Following are the authorities you need to contact to secure license

· Fair Trading in New South Wales

· Plumbing Industry Commission in Victoria

· Department of Infrastructure and Planning in Queensland

· Office of Consumer and Business Affairs in South Australia

· Plumbers Licensing Board or Office of Energy in Western Australia

· Workplace Standards in Tasmania

· Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board or WorkSafe in Northern Territory

· Planning and Land Authority in Australian Capital Territory.

When you apply for the certificate and license, you have to demonstrate your ability, if the need be. After obtaining the form from the local authority, fill the form and attach all the necessary documents such as educational qualification, job experience, training, apprenticeship detail etc along with photograph and mark sheets.

You might also need to pay fees to apply for the license, which differ from state to state. When you are through with all the documents, submit your application to the local authority for the approval.

Salary Range for Plumbers in Australia: Weekly earnings of a licensed plumber in Australia ranges between $1051 to $1300

Currently, there are 3,300 plumbers employed in South Australia, the nature of employment is generally full-time.

Job opportunities: Initially small firms give employment to freshers or you can start your own self-employment. You can also get associated with Federal, State or Local government departments which are concerned with public works. Plumbers are entrusted responsibility ranging from domestic maintenance to construction of buildings.

A few step high on the ladder of success and also becomes technical representative, building supervisors, head plumber etc.

Apprenticeship: To become a trained plumber in Australia, you need to have hands on experience, for the same, you need to have an apprenticeship done under a recognized Apprentice training provider.

All successful applicants receive:

They receive stipend for Apprenticeship done.

Will be given on-the-job training and work experience

They will receive ongoing seamless support and mentoring from qualified and reputed plumbers.

 

Plumbing License in Australia

To do plumbing work in Australia, you must have one of the following:

licensed by the State or local authorityregistered by the State or local authority (or have provisional registration) and working under the supervision of a licensed plumbing practitioner

OR

in training under the supervision of a licensed plumbing practitioner.

When it comes to plumbing, nothing beats a plumber who is more experienced and level headed, and of course, a licensed plumber is more experienced and posses higher standards of knowledge. Since they are certified, they can supply their certificate to even consumers that they are certified in it. They also hold insurance that protects both, the consumer and themselves too.

Australian Government pose serious penalties to all those who practice plumbing without any license or certificate, as sometimes, it involves life-threatening situations too.

Following are eight main classes of plumbing work:

1. Drainage

2. Fire Protection

3. Gasfitting

4. Irrigation (Non-agricultural)

5. Mechanical Service

6. Roofing (Stormwater)

7. Sanitary

8. Water Supply

Plus six specialised classes:

1. Type A Appliance Servicing work

2. Type A Appliance Conversion work

3. Type B Gasfitting work

4. Type B Gasfitting Advanced work

5. Refrigerated Airconditioning work

6. Backflow Prevention work

 

Why License:

License is necessary as it is defined by The Building Act 1993 (Vic) which regulates plumbing practitioners, plumbing work and plumbing standards. The main objective of the body is to protect health of residents along with giving them fresh and continuous water supply.

To ensure that the objective is met our, Australian Government has given clear indications to all local and State Authorities that plumbing work is carried out with utmost efficiency.

 

How to become eligible for the license:

In order to practice plumbing or to carry out other licensing class, you must possess all of the below-mentioned:

Eligible and certified with licensing work

To carry out certain classes, you must be registered for such classes too

Should possess the required license from local and state authority to carry out plumbing work

You must be insured too

How to renew your license:

To renew your license in any of the state of Australia, you need to apply for it and give a renewal notice. Alternatively you can also apply online with various state approved websites.

Following is the list of website which will give you more information on how to become a licensed plumber in Australia:

Here are some helpful websites for you to visit in your search on How to become a licensed plumber in Australia

Website: www.pmasa.com.au

Website: www.hia.com.au

Website: www.mbasa.com.au

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