What Qualifications Are Required To Be A Plumber In Sydney?

by admin, April 1, 2022

Did you encounter plumbing issues at home and feel that they were easily solvable?

We hate to admit it, but we have all taken plumbing issues casually at some point in time, thinking it would be a waste of money to hire a professional. But the truth is that the professionals are in the plumbing business for a reason.

Had it not been for our enthusiasm to fix the pipeline with DIY tools, the cost and time taken to resolve the issue would’ve been less. Having learned our lesson the hard way, we decided to research what it takes for people to become a professional plumber in Sydney.

Qualifications Required To Be A Plumber In Sydney?

A.Educational Qualifications

When companies talk about having a team of licensed plumbers, they refer to people who have the necessary practical and educational qualifications. For that, you’ll have to get a plumbing certificate to be eligible for handling plumbing issues across Australia.

1. Age And Background

Any individual looking to become a professional plumber must be at least 18 years of age with a background in Mathematics while completing high school.

2. Vocational Education

A high school graduate with a Mathematics education needs to attend a Vocational Education and Training institute to secure their plumbing certificate. This Certificate III is only given to individuals with 2 years of practical experience in the field.

3. Certificate IV

Once the apprenticeship is over, you can opt for Certificate IV – specifically given to people who complete a construction and building course as part of their plumbing studies. In short, this certificate declares that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to be a licensed plumber.

B. Becoming A Plumber

1. Apprenticeship Program

We’ll look at each step mentioned above in greater detail, starting with the apprenticeship program, the launching pad for budding plumbers. As part of the Administration of Registered Plumbing Professionals, it takes 4 years to complete the apprenticeship program. And it trains you to handle real-life plumbing issues.

2. Certification

The apprenticeship program will open the doors for you to obtain a Certificate III in plumbing. Therefore, you’ll attain the required theoretical knowledge on the subject, combined with practical experience in the field to deal with various aspects of plumbing.

We came across several institutes in Sydney and Australia offering part-time and full-time plumbing courses.

3. Registration

After you’ve completed the apprenticeship and Certificate III program, it’s possible to register yourself as a plumber. A registered plumber can take care of most plumbing issues, but they won’t be able to provide compliance certificates.

4. License

To enjoy all the benefits of a plumber, you need to be licensed, which is slightly different from acquiring the registration. The first step is completing an additional Plumbing and Services course to receive Certificate IV.

This is an advanced certificate, equipping you with the knowledge and skills of professional plumbing as per industry standards. Then, you can choose a specific avenue of plumbing that interests you to apply for a license.

Provided that you can demonstrate the necessary theoretical and practical skills, you’ll pass the exam to qualify as a licensed plumber.

C. Organisations Offering Plumbing Licences

To help you, we’ve narrowed down the official bodies offering plumbing licenses in Australia:

Workplace Standards, Tasmania
Fair Trading, New South Wales
Planning And Land Authority, Australia Capital Territory
Plumbing Industry Commission, Victoria
Plumbers And Drainers Licensing Board Or Worksafe, Northern Territory
Department Of Infrastructure And Planning, Queensland
Plumbers Licensing Board Or Office Of Energy, Western Australia
Office Of Consumer And Business Affairs, South Australia

D. Skills Necessary For A Plumber

Instead of rushing to enroll in a training program, ask yourself whether you possess the skills to become a plumber. We’ve mentioned some of the most important ones below:

Mobility
Ability to handle and deal with various situations
Ability to think and analyze different scenarios
Innovative ideas to solve problems
Hand-eye coordination
Responsible and dedicated
Physical strength to use equipment and machinery
People management skills
Ability to accept criticism and handle clients’ demands
Interested in practical work
Good communication skills
Can take fast and effective decisions
Bearing uncomfortable working conditions
Time management
Optimistic mindset when dealing with pressure situations

Why Do People Want To Become A Plumber?

It’s natural to wonder why people choose plumbing as a profession, given its hands-on applications and the pressures to find a quick solution. So, take a look at what our research revealed:

1. Money

Plumbing is a well-paid profession, with even apprentice plumbers earning between $23,000 and $55,000 on average. Additionally, the hourly rates of most plumbers are around $41, which can vary based on qualifications, expertise, class of work, and the client’s requirements.

Qualified plumbers can earn as high as $85,000, while licensed plumbers with years of experience earn $180,000 a year. It’s safe to say that plumbing is one of the best-paying professions in Australia.

2. Different Job Profiles

There’s job satisfaction since you need to have various skill sets to deal with fire safety, water supply, sanitation, roofing, digging and more. This will allow you to work as a plumbing inspector, project manager, foreman and business manager, among other things.

3. Job Security

A big point in favor of plumbing as a profession is job security, as there’s always a demand for plumbers in Sydney. Thanks to citizens’ consistent and daily requirements, you’ll have a stable source of income.

Conclusion

As you can see, becoming a plumber in Sydney is easier said than done, taking years of practice to acquire the much-needed skills.

Hopefully, now you understand why people prefer calling a plumber rather than solving the issue themselves. Equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge, professional plumbers spot problems that elude the untrained eye.

They also undergo regular training and keep themselves updated about the latest gadgets on the market. With the right plumber, your plumbing issues won’t resurface anytime soon, while the installation and maintenance of various appliances will become hassle-free.