If you lodge your application to renew your licence or permit between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, you will not be required to pay the associated fee.

If you renewed your licence or permit on or after 1 April 2020 and paid the associated fee at that time, you will receive a refund by electronic funds transfer.

No.

Eligible payments received on or after 1 April 2020 will be automatically refunded to you by electronic funds transfer.

Yes.

If you apply for a licence or permit for the first time at any stage between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, you do not have to pay any associated fees.

If you have submitted an application for a licence or permit in the period since 1 April 2020 and paid the associated fees at that time, you will be eligible for a refund. The refund will be processed automatically and will be paid to you by electronic funds transfer. You do not need to make an application for the refund.

No.

The economic relief package for business and occupational licence fees applies to the 12 month period between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. This period is intended to provide financial relief totalling over $34 million during the time of the most significant impact of COVID-19 on WA businesses and the community.

The Plumbing Regulations allow renewal applications to be lodged up to 12 weeks before the expiry date. If the date that you are allowed to lodge a renewal application falls before 1 April 2021, you can lodge your renewal application before that date and the fee will be waived. Otherwise, you will not be able to obtain a fee waiver.

No.

Under Western Australia’s self-certification framework for plumbing work, it is essential that licensed plumbing contractors continue to submit notices of intention at least 24 hours prior to commencing major plumbing work and submit the associated certificate of compliance within five working days of completing that work.

The self-certification process is intended to protect consumers by providing certainty that plumbing work has been performed in accordance with the relevant standards.

Penalties apply if these requirements are not complied with. Plumbing inspectors will be actively enforcing these requirements during the fee waiver period.

Yes.

The Plumbing eNotice system has been updated so that plumbers can continue to lodge their compliance notices electronically without having to make the payment that would normally be required at the time of lodgement.

Yes.

The waiving of fees does not exempt licensed plumbing contractors and restricted plumbing permit holders from the requirement to submit a notice of intention or certificate of compliance within prescribed timeframes.

If an infringement notice is issued for failing to comply with these requirements (or for any other reason), the infringement notice remains enforceable throughout the fee waiver period.

No.

The fee waiver only applies to notices of intention and associated fixture fees lodged on and from 28 October 2020 until the end of the fee waiver period on 27 October 2021. Any fees paid prior to 28 October 2020 will not be refunded, irrespective of when the work is carried out.

This is a contractual matter between you and the plumber.

There are no rules governing how a plumber accounts for the fees he is required to pay in relation to carrying out plumbing work. However, it is common practice for licensed plumbers to pass on compliance fees and fixture fees to their customers. This may be shown as a line item on the invoice he or she issues, or it could be included in his or her overall charge for the job.

If you think you have been charged for fees that are not applicable under the fee waiver relief package, you should speak to your plumber.

Provided the reinspection occurs during the period 28 October 2020 to 27 October 2021, you will not be required to pay any reinspection fees.