In modern construction, it’s very hard to find a project that doesn’t require some sort of licensed plumbing expertise. From residential bathroom renovations to billion-dollar civil infrastructure projects, licensed plumbers have Australia’s construction regulatory framework on their side. In most cases, a plumber’s expertise is essentially legally mandatory.
Proof of this lies in the size of the Australian plumbing industry, which, as of the time of writing, is a $22 billion sector. The demand for licensed plumbing professionals is high. Let’s take a look at where and why.
Why are licensed plumbers in high demand?
Licensed plumbers are in high demand because plumbing without a license can lead to a whole range of problems. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) maintains the National Construction Code (NCC), which features the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA). It’s a lot of acronyms to be across, but understanding them is important for those in the plumbing industry. The PCA is the main technical document that governs the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of plumbing and drainage systems across the country.
The PCA dictates state-specific legislations like Victoria’s Building Act and New South Wales’ Home Building Act, which operate on a performance-based framework. The NCC’s standards essentially make the need for licensed expertise non-negotiable. These standards cover things like energy efficiency requirements, liveable housing provisions, and strict mandates for lead-free plumbing products. Licensed plumbers must have an understanding of these requirements and ensure all materials carry WaterMark certification proving they are fit for purpose.
State regulators administer plumbing licenses through specialised classes to make sure that certain competencies match specific project types. If a plumber is non-compliant, they could be facing fines of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for companies (in Victoria, unlicensed plumbing work is considered a criminal offence).
Why are licensed plumbers required in residential construction?
Every new home requires a licensed plumber for the installation of water services, sanitary plumbing, and drainage systems, and all of these projects must meet PCA Performance Requirements. Residential construction is one of the busiest industries in Australia for plumbing professionals. There are approximately 150,000 to 170,000 new homes built every year, meaning a consistent demand for licensed plumbing expertise.
In New South Wales, for example, any residential building work valued at more than $5,000 requires a contractor’s license, but plumbing falls under the category of “specialist work.” This means it must be performed by a licensed professional regardless of project value if existing piping layouts are altered or new fixtures are installed. Failure to ensure professionals handle the work can void home warranty coverage.
What are the liveable housing mandates?
Liveable housing mandates are regulated inclusions in modern construction and an important consideration in residential plumbing. They require skilled, licensed plumbers as dictated by NCC 2022. These standards are all about future-proofing homes for an aging population and require all new residential builds to include at least one step-free, hobless shower and accessible ground-floor bathroom.
Step-free thresholds with effective drainage require specialised linear threshold drainage systems, beyond the capabilities of DIY work. This work must be completed by licensed plumbers, adding to the existing strong demand in the industry.
Why are licensed plumbers required in commercial construction
Commercial projects are far more complex than residential requirements, so licensed plumbers are even more vital. Multi-story commercial buildings, for example, require licensed plumbers who can manage systems supporting hundreds or thousands of simultaneous users. This can involve:
- Designing and installing complex sanitary stacks
- Large-scale hot water plants
- Sophisticated pressure-reduction valves
- Precise engineering and installation
- And more
The commercial sector also requires plumbers trained in mechanical services, a specialisation that includes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
For projects that include hospitals and medical research facilities, specialised plumbing requirements go even further to include specific licenses for medical gas and mechanical services. Medical gas lines that carry oxygen, nitrous oxide, and vacuum systems have no room for error. This is life-critical work, and regulators impose high levels of scrutiny on plumbers involved in the installations.
Commercial facilities also have strict trade waste regulations, with elements like grease traps and neutralisation tanks to make sure that harmful chemicals or fats (from commercial kitchens) stay out of public sewer systems.
How are plumbers utilised in industrial construction and civil infrastructure?
Just like in the residential sector, plumbers are required in almost every facet of industrial construction and civil infrastructure, and these roles are much more diverse. Industrial construction (manufacturing plants, power stations, oil refineries, and large-scale warehouses) and civil plumbing projects (large-scale infrastructure for cities and regional communities, including water supply networks, desalination plants, and waste management systems) are yet another source of consistent work for specialised plumbing contractors.
Industrial projects are heavy users of Type B gas appliances, which include high-consumption equipment like large-scale steam boilers, industrial kilns, and power generation turbines. This differs greatly from standard domestic gasfitting and requires specialised licenses due to higher levels of risk. Licensed gasfitters capable of this kind of work manage complex piping, pressure testing, and strict compliance measures in accordance with AS/NZS 5601 standards.
Industrial facilities are also putting a greater focus on sustainable water management systems like large-scale rainwater harvesting and industrial-grade greywater treatment. Eco-friendly, energy-efficient plumbing components are growing more popular across all sectors, but can carry extra weight for industrial clients as they can reduce operational costs and environmental footprints. Solar power plants and hydroelectric facilities are becoming more prevalent, and these too require specialised plumbing skills (especially concerning the management of their cooling systems and fluid transport).
Civil infrastructure projects are typically publicly funded, which means there is a lot of money to be made for subcontractors; they require some of the most technically demanding work in the industry.
As an example, the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant in Western Australia is a $2.8 billion project that will supply 50 billion litres of drinking water per year. Two underground marine pipelines and a 33.5-kilometre steel water main are required, with a 12-meter pipe section weighing nearly nine tonnes. In South Australia, the government is expanding water and sewer networks in a $1.5 billion project, which will feature over 20 kilometres of new water and sewer pipes.
The size and cost of these projects are good examples of why civil plumbing work is so highly regulated, leaving no option for any unlicensed work. If you want to work in the industries that deal with large dollar amounts, a plumbing license is non-negotiable.
What kind of licences can a plumber hold?
The Australian plumbing industry is a collection of specialised trades, and as a result, various license classes can be held by plumbers. There are some classes required for most standard construction projects, such as:
- Water Supply Work for any water distribution installation
- Sanitary and Drainage Work for waste disposal and underground sewer management
- Gasfitting Work for gas piping and appliance installation
- Repair and Roofing (Stormwater) Work for roof drainage systems (including gutters and downpipes)
Beyond these core classes, specialised endorsements for high-risk or advanced tasks can also be obtained. For example, plumbers cannot work on backflow prevention devices or thermostatic mixing valves without a specialised licence (under the parent Water Supply licence). Work on the aforementioned Type B gas appliances requires additional qualifications under a standard gasfitting license.
Restricted licenses can be a double-edged sword. While they mean a narrower scope of work, those who hold them can also be in higher demand. Examples of these can include Mechanical Services restricted to single head split systems or Fire Protection restricted to routine servicing of fire hose reels.
What is wrong with unlicensed plumbing?
Non-compliant plumbing work presents a physical and financial risk that no builder wants to take. Builder insolvencies are already high compliance certificates are a prominent staple of consumer protection.
When using unlicensed plumbers, the biggest risk is a refusal of an Occupancy Permit. Building surveyors cannot legally issue this permit without compliance certificates from licensed tradespeople for all regulated work. If these certificates do not exist, the structure can be deemed illegal.
The financial risk of this is severe, as walls and floors need to be stripped back so licensed plumbers can inspect and certify work. Buildings without proper certificates can be uninsurable and much harder to sell. As licensed plumbers legally must hold mandatory insurance that protects homeowners for six years from work completion, there is a default safety net that simply doesn’t exist in the world of unlicensed work.
Where can licensed plumbers find new projects?
E1(EstimateOne) is Australia’s leading platform for open tenders that are suitable for specialised plumbing and gas fitting subcontractors. We offer verified access to thousands of tendering opportunities from Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 builders around the country.Our platform makes it easy to find and submit a competitive quote directly to some of the biggest builders in the country, making it easier to secure high-value projects and build your network. View our available plumbing tenders today.
Alexander
Green
General Manager - Subcontractors
