Use a licensed plumber

In Victoria, all plumbing work with a value of $750 or more, most gasfitting work and any work on below ground sanitary drains requires a compliance certificate to be provided to the person for whom the work was done. The $750 value includes all labour, parts and appliances regardless of who they were purchased by.

Only a licenced plumber may issue a compliance certificate. A compliance certificate is the means by which a licenced plumber self-certifies that the plumbing work complies with all legislative requirements.

Licenced plumbers are highly skilled professionals accredited by the Victorian Government industry regulator, The Plumbing Industry Commission. To be licenced a plumber must have obtained the required qualifications, have extensive experience and hold a prescribed level of insurance.

Latest News: Class 10A Building Fact Sheet

A recent investigation conducted jointly by the Building Commission and the Plumbing Industry Commission has revealed some shed companies are trying to get around the rules by telling consumers to become owner-builders when applying for a building permit and are then using or arranging for unlicensed or unregistered tradespeople to do the work. Read the  Class 10A Building Fact Sheet (111KB) for more information

What work can a licensed plumber undertake?

Licensed plumbers may undertake work in any class of plumbing for which they are licensed, may supervise other plumbers (registered or licenced) or plumbing apprentices carrying that class of plumbing work. They may also issue compliance certificates for that class of work.

Plumbing work is defined by eight classes: Water Supply, Gasfitting, Sanitary, Roofing (Stormwater), Drainage, Mechanical Services, Fire Protection or Irrigation (Non-agricultural). A person must be registered or licensed with the PIC to legally undertake any work within these classes.

What work can a registered plumber undertake?

Registered plumbers may individually undertake work in any class of plumbing work for which they are registered. However, if the work requires a compliance certificate to be issued, they may only undertake that work under the supervision of a licensed plumber. They cannot issue a compliance certificate.

How can I check a plumber's registration?

You can verify whether a plumber is licensed or registered by searching in eToolbox.