Plumbers licensing – overview

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Western Australia’s system for regulating plumbing work protects consumers and the community by ensuring that only suitably qualified people who hold plumbers licences granted by the Plumbers Licensing Board are legally entitled to carry out plumbing work. Corporate entities such as companies and trusts cannot hold plumbers licences. People issued a licence are also issued a Plumbers Licensing Board photo ID card.

Five different plumbers licences

The Board issues five different plumbers licences. All plumbing licence holders are authorised to undertake plumbing work but the scope of the authorised work varies with each licence. 

A plumbing contractor is required to complete higher qualifications than a plumbing tradesperson. A restricted permit is granted to an electrician or gas fitter to enable that skilled person to also perform particular plumbing work.

Plumbing contractor’s licence

Plumbing contractor’s licence is for applicants who already hold a tradesperson’s licence and who intend to direct and control plumbing tradespersons, and issue notices and certificates of compliance for plumbing work. A plumbing contractor’s licence authorises a plumber to work on water supply plumbing, sanitary plumbing and drainage plumbing, unless the licence has limiting conditions placed by the Board.

Tradesperson’s licence

Tradesperson’s licence is for applicants who have completed training and obtained qualifications in plumbing. A tradesperson’s licence authorises a plumber to work under the general direction of a plumbing contractor on water supply plumbing, sanitary plumbing and drainage plumbing, unless the licence has limiting conditions placed by the Board.

Tradesperson’s licence (drainage plumbing)

Tradesperson’s licence (drainage plumbing) is for applicants who have completed training and have qualifications in drainage plumbing and intend to work as a drainage plumber under the general direction of a plumbing contractor. 

Provisional tradesperson’s licence

Provisional tradesperson’s licence is for applicants who have obtained qualifications or competencies in plumbing outside of Australia and intend to obtain a Western Australian plumbing qualification and apply for a tradesperson’s licence. Applicants from other Australian administrations or from New Zealand should apply for a licence by mutual recognition.

Restricted plumbing permit

Restricted plumbing permit is for applicants who are licensed electricians or gasfitters and intend to carry out water heater replacements while performing electrical or gasfitting work.

Mutual recognition – interstate and New Zealand

If you are registered or licensed as a plumber or plumbing contractor elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to be licensed as a plumbing tradesperson or contractor in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your qualifications recognised in WA.

Licence duration and cost

Licences and permits are valid for three years except for the provisional tradesperson’s licence, which is valid for one year. Licence and permit fees, and application fees are detailed in the licence application forms and in the fee schedule.

If your application for a licence is refused or conditioned

If the Board refuses to issue your licence, the licence fee is refunded. The application fee is not refunded.

If you are aggrieved because the Board has refused your application or has placed conditions on your licence, you may apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for a review of the Board’s decision. You must submit your application to the SAT within 28 days of receiving notification of the Board’s decision.

If your mutual recognition application was refused or conditioned you may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review.

Licence renewal

The Board issues a notice to licence and permit holders about six weeks before a licence must be renewed if it is not to expire. Please notify the Board of any changes in your address or contact information to ensure that you receive the Board’s renewal advice.

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