Do plumbers need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Every state and territory needs a licence or registration for plumbing, drainage and gasfitting work, whatever the job costs.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Yes | Contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate (plumbing, draining, gasfitting) Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) Any plumbing, draining or gasfitting job needs a licence, whatever the cost. Roof plumbing needs a licence over $5,000 incl GST. |
Check a builder or tradesperson licence (Service NSW) |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Plumbing registration or licence (by class) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Registration lets a plumber do the work. Only a licensed plumber can issue a compliance certificate. |
Find and check a practitioner (BPC) |
| QLDQueensland | Yes | Occupational plumber/drainer licence + QBCC plumbing and drainage contractor licence Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Plumbing and drainage needs a QBCC licence at any value. Most other building work needs one only over $3,300. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Yes | Plumbing contractor's licence or tradesperson's licence Plumbers Licensing Board (Building and Energy) Homeowners may now do minor jobs like changing a showerhead or clearing a blocked pipe. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Plumbing contractor licence + plumbing worker registration Consumer and Business Services (CBS) The business needs a contractor licence. The person doing the work needs a worker registration. |
CBS licensing register (Find a licence holder) |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Plumbing practitioner licence (WSDR) + plumbing contractor licence Building Standards Tasmania (formerly CBOS) The standard licence covers water, sanitary, drainage and roof (stormwater). A contractor licence is needed to sell plumbing services. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Yes | Plumber, drainer or gasfitter construction occupation licence Access Canberra (ACT Government) No plumbing licence class covers backflow testing on its own. It needs an endorsement. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Yes | Advanced tradesman licence (journeyman registration for workers) Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board Only an advanced tradesman can contract with a customer. Certifying work needs registration with the Building Practitioners Board. |
Currently licensed plumbers and drainers (Board website) |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Gas hot water, heaters, cooktopsGasfitting licence or permit
every state
Roof plumbing, gutters, downpipes, flashingsRoof plumbing licence (NSW, over $5,000 incl GST); roofing stormwater class (VIC); part of the standard WSDR licence (TAS)
NSW, VIC, TAS (other states vary)
Testing backflow prevention devicesBackflow prevention class or endorsement
VIC (specialised class), ACT (endorsement); other states vary
Signing off (certifying) plumbing workLicensed plumber (VIC) or certifying plumber registration (NT)
VIC, NT
Electric hot water disconnect / reconnectRestricted electrical licence or registration
every state
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence number and the exact name on the licence.
- Search that number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Check the licence is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
- Check the licence class covers your job.
- Make sure the name on the quote or invoice matches the licence holder or business.
- For gas work, check the plumber also holds a gas licence or permit.
- Ask for the compliance certificate or safety certificate when the job is done.
Find local businesses: PlumberHot Water System ServicesRainwater Tank Installers
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish a plumbing apprenticeship and a Certificate III in Plumbing (or a listed equivalent).
- Experience: most states also want proof of work experience. NSW asks for at least 2 years for a contractor licence.
- Documents: ID, a photo, your qualification and results, and in most states a police check (NSW: no older than 4 months).
- Apply to your state regulator (links below). You need to be licensed for each type of work, such as water, sanitary, drainage, roofing or gas.
- Running a business? Many states also need a contractor licence for the business, not just the worker.
- Licensed in another state? Automatic mutual recognition (AMR) may let you work under your home-state licence. Notify the regulator before you start. Not every licence class is covered, so check the state page first.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW (apply through Service NSW) | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Plumbers Licensing Board (Building and Energy) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Building Standards Tasmania (formerly CBOS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra (ACT Government) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board | How to apply | Requirements |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (26)
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/check-a-builder-or-tradesperson-licence
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/registration-and-licensing/which-registration-or-licence-do-...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/plumber-classes-and-categories/roofing-stormwater-work
- bpc.vic.gov.au /plumbers/registration-and-licensing/plumber-requirements/apply-for-a-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/plumbing-drainage-licences/...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /home-owner-hub/build-renovate/finding-contractor-getting-quotes/find-...
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/plumbers-licensing
- wa.gov.au /organisation/building-and-energy/building-and-energy-licence-and-regi...
- wa.gov.au /service/business-support/professional-accreditation/find-licensed-ele...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/licensing
- cbs.sa.gov.au /find-a-licence-holder
- cbs.sa.gov.au /documents/licence_categories_guide_plumbers.pdf
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/plumbing
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/plumbing/pract...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- accesscanberra.act.gov.au /consumer-rights/choosing-a-tradesperson
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- plumberslicensing.nt.gov.au /
Other licence guides: Gas fittersElectriciansAir conditioningSecurity, CCTV and locksmithsPest control (incl. possums, snakes, bees)Termite inspection and treatmentAsbestos removal and demolitionBuilders and extensionsBathroom and kitchen renovationPaintersTilersRoofers and guttersPools and spasHandyman: what needs a licence