What comes after TRA: plumbing licensing in Australia by state
A TRA skills assessment is not a licence to practise
Like electricians and other skilled trades, plumbers (Plumber, ANZSCO 334116) need to clear two separate steps after arriving in Australia:
ANZSCO version: the plumber code
334116is the ANZSCO 2022 version (used by the CSOL → visas 482/186); under ANZSCO 2013 (MLTSSL/STSOL → visas 189/190/491) the code is334111. An ANZSCO code is a classification, not by itself visa eligibility — see Plumber migration to Australia.
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TRA skills assessment (via the JRP) — confirms your skills are equivalent to the Australian plumbing standard. Used for the visa application. TRA does not licence you to practise.
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Plumbing licence — issued by each state’s regulator. Without this licence, you are not permitted to carry out paid plumbing work in Australia.
You should not start working as a plumber in Australia before you hold a plumbing licence from the state where you work.
See the migration pathway overview in the companion article on plumber migration to Australia.
Why is plumbing so tightly regulated?
Plumbing work in Australia is tightly regulated because it relates to public safety:
- Drinking-water and sanitation systems affect community health
- Gas plumbing (gas piping) carries a high risk of fire and explosion
- Mistakes can cause serious and irreversible harm
For this reason, every plumber in Australia must hold a licence — no matter how many years of experience they have.
Plumbing work classes in Australia
In Australia, plumbing is divided into several work classes that may carry separate licences:
- Plumbing (water): installing and maintaining water pipes and sanitary fixtures
- Draining: drainage and sewerage systems
- Gas fitting: installing and maintaining gas piping and gas appliances
- Roofing (plumbing): roofs and rainwater collection systems
- Mechanical services: HVAC related to pipework
A person may hold a licence for one or more classes. If you did both water and gas work overseas, you need separate licensing for each class in Australia.
Licensing authorities by state
Victoria — Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
Licensing authority: Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
The VBA issues “Plumber Registration” — requirements include:
- TRA skills assessment or equivalent
- Knowledge testing on the Plumbing Regulations Victoria and relevant AS/NZS standards
- Possible additional practical assessment
New South Wales — NSW Fair Trading
Licensing authority: NSW Fair Trading
NSW issues a “Plumbing Licence”. A person with a TRA assessment needs to lodge an application and may need knowledge testing.
Queensland — QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission)
Licensing authority: QBCC
Queensland licenses plumbing separately. Requirements may include knowledge of the Plumbing and Drainage Act Queensland.
Western Australia — Building and Energy (DEMIRS)
Licensing authority: Building and Energy, DEMIRS
WA has its own licensing system. A person with a TRA assessment lodges an application and usually needs WA knowledge testing.
South Australia — Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
Licensing authority: Consumer and Business Services SA
SA issues a “Plumbing Licence”. Contact CBS directly for the specific requirements for a person holding a TRA assessment.
ACT, NT, Tasmania
Each territory has its own licensing authority — contact them directly.
AS/NZS standards you need to know
Plumbers in Australia work to several important Australian/New Zealand standards:
- AS/NZS 3500: Plumbing and Drainage — the core standard for installation and drainage
- AS 5601: Gas Installations (for plumbers licensed for gas)
- The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) — implemented through state standards
Most states require people from overseas to be tested on these standards and on local plumbing law. This is material to revise before lodging a licence application.
Comparison with electrical licensing
The plumbing licensing process is fairly similar to electrical — the same “TRA assessment + separate state licence” principle:
| Electrician | Plumber | |
|---|---|---|
| Standards authority | Energy Safe Victoria / SafeWork NSW… | VBA / NSW Fair Trading / QBCC… |
| Core standard | AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules | AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage |
| Mutual recognition | Yes (between states) | Yes (between states) |
| Gas separate? | No (within electrical scope) | Yes — gas fitting needs a separate licence |
See the companion article for detail on electrical licensing after TRA.
Mutual Recognition — transferring a licence between states
Once you hold a plumbing licence in one state and want to work in another, you can apply to have your licence recognised under the Mutual Recognition Act. This process is considerably faster than applying for a new licence.
WA often has additional requirements regarding knowledge of local law — even if you hold a licence in another state.
A practical plan
- Complete the TRA JRP and receive the skills assessment certificate
- Choose the state where you intend to settle and work
- Contact the state licensing authority to ask about the specific requirements for a person with a TRA assessment
- Prepare to be tested on AS/NZS 3500 and state plumbing law
- Lodge the licence application and pass the assessment if required
- Receive the licence and start working
The time from TRA assessment to licensing usually takes several months — plan your finances for this period.
See also:
- The companion article on plumber migration to Australia
- The companion article on electrical licensing after TRA — a similar process for electricians
- The companion article on carpenters through the JRP — the JRP process in detail