What can I complain about?

The Plumbing Industry Commission takes seriously all complaints about registered and licensed practitioners where they have breached professional standards or the requirements of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 and the Plumbing Regulations 2008. The licensed or registered practitioners' client or anybody who has an interest in the work of a practitioner can make a formal complaint to the Plumbing Industry Commission.

The types of complaints the Plumbing Industry Commission investigates can include situations where a registered or licensed plumber has:

• Failed to issue a compliance certificate for works when required.
• Carried out regulated plumbing work whilst unregistered or unlicensed in that class or work.
• Failed to conduct work in a workman like manner and to a professional standard.
• Carried out plumbing work without consent from the appropriate authority for example work on drains.

There may be circumstances in which the Plumbing Industry Commission will refer your complaint to another Government body. Victorian legislation distinguishes between different types of complaints and various Victorian departments are responsible for different issues.

• Complaints against Building Practitioners should be made to the Building Commission 1300 815 127.
• Complaints relating to monetary or contractual disputes should be made to Consumer Affairs Victoria 1300 558 181 or Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal 9628 9755. 
• Should you be involved in a contractual dispute related to domestic building and your contract is dated from 1 July 2002, you should contact Building Advice and Conciliation Victoria. This is a joint initiative between the building Commission and Consumer Affairs on 1300 557 559.
• If your concern is a new building project near your property, you should first raise your concerns with the local council where the project is located.