Version No. 023
Plumbing Regulations 1998
S.R. No. 148/1998
Version incorporating amendments as at 1 February 2007
table of provisions
RegulationPage
1
RegulationPage
Part 1—Preliminary Matters
1.Objectives
2.Authorising provisions
3.Commencement
4.Revocation
5.Definitions
6.Extended meaning of "installation, alteration or repair"
Part 2—Plumbing Work
Division 1—Plumbing Work
7.Plumbing work
7A.Plumbing work by persons not licensed or registered
Division 2—Classes of Plumbing Work
8.Classes of plumbing work
9.Plumbing (Draining) work
10.Plumbing (Gasfitting) work
11.Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work
12.Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work
13.Plumbing (Sanitary) work
14.Plumbing (Water Supply) work
Division 3—Specialised Plumbing Work
15.Specialised plumbing work
16.Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work
17.Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work
18.Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work
18A.Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work
Part 3—Qualification and Experience Requirements for Licence or Registration
Division 1—Qualifications and Experience Required for Classes of Plumbing Work
19.Qualifications required for registration
20.Qualifications required for a licence
21.Experience required for a licence or registration
Division 2—Requirements for Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) Work
22.Qualification required
23.Experience required
Division 3—Requirements for Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) Work
24.Qualifications and experience required
Division 4—Requirements for Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) Work
25.Qualifications required
26.Experience required
Division 4ARequirements for Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) Work
26A.Qualifications required
Division 5—Other Matters
27.Experience can be obtained over separate periodsetc.
Part 4—Obligations on Registered and Licensed Plumbers
28.Licence and registration documents must be returned on
demand
29.Licence to be shown on demand
30.Certificate of registration to be shown on demand
Part 5—Standard of Work
Division 1Standard of Work
31.Standard of work
Division 2Cooling Towers
31A.Modification of cooling tower standards
Division 3Water Supply
31B.Definitions applying to this Division
31C.Performance requirements for the design and construction of coldwater services
31D.Modification of document referred to in AS3500.1.1
31E.Requirement for dual-flush cisterns
Division 4Sanitary Plumbing and Sanitary Drainage
31F.Definitions applying to this Division
31G.Performance requirements for the design and construction of sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage
31H.Modification of document referred to in AS3500.2.1
Division 5Hot Water Supply Systems
31I.Definitions applying to this Division
31J.Performance requirements for the design and construction of hotwater systems
31K.Modification of document referred to in AS3500.4.1
31KA.Modification of AS 4234—Evaluation of solar water heater performance
Division 6Evaporative Coolers
31L.Definitions applying to this Division
31M.Requirements for discharge system of evaporative coolers
31N.Requirements if discharge likely to cause injury or damage
31O.Other requirements
Division 7—Incorporation of Documents
31P.Incorporation of documents
Part 6—Fees and Other Amounts
32.Fees and other amounts
33.Exemption from fees
Part 7—Transitional Provisions
34.Definition
35.Conversion of former licences and registrations
36.Conversion of duct fixing licences and registrations
37.Saving of other licences and registrations
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SCHEDULE—Australian Standards
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ENDNOTES
1. General Information
2. Table of Amendments
3. Explanatory Details
1
Version No. 023
Plumbing Regulations 1998
S.R. No. 148/1998
Version incorporating amendments as at 1 February 2007
1
Plumbing Regulations 1998
S.R. No. 148/1998
Part 1—Preliminary Matters
1.Objectives
The main objectives of these Regulations are—
(a)to define the meaning of plumbing work, and to specify classes of plumbing work and specialised plumbing work, for the purposes of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993; and
(b)to specify the qualifications and experience that are necessary for a person to be eligible to be registered or licensed to carry out plumbing work; and
(c)to provide for the production and return of licence and registration documents; and
Reg. 1(ca) inserted by S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 5.
(ca)to prescribe standards in relation to plumbing work; and
(d)to specify fees for the purposes of Part12A of the Building Act 1993.
2.Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 221ZZZV and 262 of the Building Act 1993.
3.Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on 28November 1998.
4.Revocation
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The Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainers Registration Board Regulations 1988[1] are revoked.
5.Definitions
In these Regulations—
"Act" means the Building Act 1993;
"apprenticeship" means a training agreement between a person and an employer entered into under Part 5 of the Vocational Education and Training Act 1990;
"AS" or "SAA" followed by a group of numbers or a group of one or more letters and one or more numbers, means the Australian Standard identified by that group of numbers or letters that is published by Standards Australia;
"Board" means the Plumbing Industry Board established under Part 12A of the Act[2];
"caravan" includes any form of movable dwelling other than a boat or houseboat;
Reg. 5 def. of "cooling tower" inserted by S.R. No. 15/2001 reg. 4.
"cooling tower" means a device for lowering—
(a)the temperature of recirculated water by bringing the water into contact with fan forced, or fan induced, atmospheric air; or
(b)the temperature of water, a refrigerant or other fluid in a pipe or other container by bringing recirculated water and fan forced, or fan induced, atmospheric air into contact with the pipe or container;
"drain" means a pipe or conduit laid above or below the ground surface, including all associated fittings and equipment, for the conveyance of sewage, trade waste, greywater or stormwater;
"gas" means any gaseous fuel (including petrochemical feed stock) other than a gaseous fuel that is declared under section 4 of the Gas Safety Act 1997 not to be gas for the purposes of that Act or any provision of that Act;
"gas company" has the same meaning as it has under the Gas Safety Act 1997;
"greywater" means treated or untreated domestic waste water (including any discharge from an appliance) that has not come into contact with sewage;
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"plumbing course 3212 C.D.A." means the plumbing course 3212 C.D.A. accredited under the Vocational Education and Training Act 1990;
Reg. 5 def. of "Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work" insertedby S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 6.
"Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 18A;
"Plumbing (Draining) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 9;
"Plumbing (Gasfitting) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 10;
"Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 11;
"Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 16;
"Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 12;
"Plumbing (Sanitary) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 13;
"Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 17;
"Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 18;
"Plumbing (Water Supply) work" has the meaning set out in regulation 14;
"potable water" means water that is used or intended to be used for human consumption or for personal hygiene;
"sewage" means any human excreta or domestic waterborne waste, whether untreated or partially treated;
"trade waste" means any waterborne waste other than sewage;
"vessel" means any boat or houseboat that has a gas appliance or a sanitary or ablutionary fixture.
6.Extended meaning of "installation, alteration or repair"
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In these Regulations, a reference to the installation, alteration or repair of a thing includes a reference to—
(a)the construction of the thing if the thing is constructed at the premises at which it will remain once it is constructed;
(b)the commissioning, recommissioning or decommissioning of the thing;
(c)the extending, renewal, replacement, relocation, connecting, disconnecting or removal of the thing;
(d)the maintenance of the thing;
(e)any work incidental to, or associated with—
(i)the installation, alteration or repair of the thing; or
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(ii)any activity described in paragraphs (a) to (d).
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Part 2—Plumbing Work
Division 1—Plumbing Work
7.Plumbing work
r. 7
(1)Part 12A of the Act applies to the following plumbing work—
Reg. 7(1)(aa) inserted by S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 7.
(aa)Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work;
(a)Plumbing (Draining) work;
(b)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work;
(c)Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work;
(d)Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work;
(e)Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work;
(f)Plumbing (Sanitary) work;
(g)Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work;
(h)Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work;
(i)Plumbing (Water Supply) work.
(2)However, Part 12A of the Act does not apply to—
(a)any work carried out on a supply or discharge reticulation system, a treatment plant, a laboratory or any other works, equipment or system (other than works, equipment or systems used mainly for administrative purposes) owned by, or exclusively vested in—
(i)a gas company;
(ii)a company that holds a water licence or a water and sewerage licence under the Water Industry Act 1994;
(iii)an Authority that has a water district or a sewerage district under the Water Act 1989;
(b)the connection for domestic water use of hoses from appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines to taps;
(c)the connection for domestic water use of hoses to taps for the purposes of activities such as cleaning or garden watering.
Reg. 7A inserted by S.R. No. 154/2006 reg.4.
7A.Plumbing work by persons not licensed or registered
(1)For the purposes of section 221D(2) of the Building Act 1993 the installation of a 3 star shower head is plumbing work that may be carried out by a person who is not licensed or registered by the Commission if that work is carried out by the person in a dwelling which that person owns and occupies.
(2)In this regulation "3 star shower head" means a shower head with a water efficiency rating of 3stars determined in accordance with AS/NZS6400–2005 Water efficient products—Rating and labelling.
Division 2—Classes of Plumbing Work
8.Classes of plumbing work
r. 7A
The following classes of plumbing work are specified for the purposes of the definition of "class of plumbing work" in section 221B(1) of the Act—
(a)Plumbing (Draining) work;
(b)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work;
(c)Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work;
(d)Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work;
(e)Plumbing (Sanitary) work;
(f)Plumbing (Water Supply) work.
9.Plumbing (Draining) work
Plumbing (Draining) work is the installation, alteration or repair of any drain, pipe, fitting, appliance or other item that is involved with the collection, conveyance, disposal or reuse of stormwater or sewage and that is underground.
10.Plumbing (Gasfitting) work
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(1)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work is the installation, alteration or repair of any pipe, appliance, flue, fitting, apparatus, control or other item that is involved with the supply or use of gas and that is downstream of the outlet of a gas meter or a consumer's gas storage container.
(2)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work includes the installation, alteration or repair of—
(a)roof sheeting and flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work involving any flue described in sub-regulation (1); and
(b)any fixture in, or on, a caravan or vessel that is involved with the supply or use of gas.
(3)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work does not include—
(a)Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work;
(b)Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work;
(c)any cleaning, painting or preparation work in relation to gas pipes or gas pipe joints that does not involve the connection, disconnection or alteration of those pipes or joints;
(d)the connection or disconnection of a consumer's gas storage container for the purpose of filling or refilling the container;
(e)any work in relation to any item that is involved with the supply or use of gas and that relates to the propulsion system, or any system that is powered by the propulsion system, of any motor vehicle or vessel.
(4)In this regulation—
"consumer's gas storage container" means a tank, cylinder or similar container owned, leased or hired by a consumer and from which gas is supplied to that consumer;
"gas meter" means a gas company's meter assembly.
11.Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work
r. 11
Reg. 11(1) substituted by S.R. No. 15/2001 reg.5(1).
(1)Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work is—
(a)the installation, alteration or repair of any valve, regulator, register, pipe, duct, flue, tank, heating or cooling line or surface, boiler, burner, solid fuel heater, coil or other item that is involved in the heating, cooling or ventilation of a building or vessel by mechanical means or by mechanical components;
(b)the installation, alteration or repair, in relation to a cooling tower, of any water pipe, valve, pump, automated dosing device or automated bleeding device or any other mechanical component that affects the cooling tower's water treatment, flow rate of water for cooling or waste water disposal.
(2)Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work includes the installation, alteration or repair of roof sheeting and flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work involving any item described in sub-regulation (1).
(3)Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work does not include—
(a)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work;
Reg. 11(3)(ab) inserted by S.R. No. 15/2001 reg.5(2).
(ab)any work on a cooling tower drift eliminator;
(b)tapping into a water supply.
12.Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work
r. 12
(1)Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work is the installation, alteration or repair of any roof gutter, flashing, piping, sheeting, roof covering or other above ground item that is involved in the collection, conveyance, disposal, treatment or reuse of storm water.
(2)Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work also includes the connection of any stormwater piping to a below ground drain.
(3)Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work does not include—
(a)the installation, alteration or repair of non-metallic tiles or slates or of flat non-metallic membrane sheeting; or
(b)any cleaning, painting or preparation work in relation to any item associated with stormwater that does not involve the connection, disconnection or alteration of that item.
13.Plumbing (Sanitary) work
(1)Plumbing (Sanitary) work is the installation, alteration or repair of any drain, fitting, pipe, fixture, appliance or other item that is involved in the collection, conveyance, disposal or treatment of sewage, trade waste or greywater.
(2)Plumbing (Sanitary) work includes the installation, alteration or repair of—
(a)an item that is involved in the supply of non-potable water that is not connected directly or indirectly to a potable water supply;
(b)roof sheeting and flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work involving any item described in sub-regulation (1);
(c)any fixture in, or on, a caravan or vessel that is involved in the collection, conveyance, disposal or treatment of sewage, trade waste or greywater.
(3)Plumbing (Sanitary) work does not include—
(a)Plumbing (Water Supply) work;
(b)Plumbing (Draining) work.
14.Plumbing (Water Supply) work
r. 13
(1)Plumbing (Water Supply) work is the installation, alteration or repair of any pipe, fitting, fixture, appliance or other item that is directly or indirectly involved in the supply of potable water.
(2)Plumbing (Water Supply) work includes the installation, alteration or repair of—
(a)a hot or cold water service;
(b)a fire-hydrant service and any component of a fire-sprinkler service up to the main stop valve located immediately upstream of the alarm valve, as defined in AS 2118.1;
(c)an automatic fire sprinkler system.
(3)Plumbing (Water Supply) work does not include Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work.
(4)In this regulation—
"automatic fire sprinkler system" means a water supply system for a residential or domestic building designed to automatically operate to extinguish a fire in the building;
"fire hydrant service" means a system of components designed to convey water for the purposes of extinguishing a fire in a commercial or industrial building, but does not include an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Division 3—Specialised Plumbing Work
15.Specialised plumbing work
r. 15
(1)The following plumbing work is specialised plumbing work—
Reg. 15(1)(aa) inserted by S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 7.
(aa)Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work;
(a)Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work;
(b)Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work;
(c)Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work.
(2)The following classes of plumbing work are specified for the purposes of the definition of "class of specialised plumbing work" in section 221B(1) of the Act—
Reg. 15(2)(aa) inserted by S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 7.
(aa)Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work;
(a)Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work;
(b)Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work;
(c)Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work.
16.Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work
r. 16
Plumbing (Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems) work is the installation, alteration or repair of automatic life safety fire sprinkler systems—
(a)in residential buildings of not more than 4storeys; or
Reg. 16(b) amendedby S.R. No. 2/2007 reg.6.
(b)for buildings defined as Class 1 in accordance with the Building Regulations 2006[3].
17.Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work
(1)Plumbing (Type A Gas Appliance Conversion) work is the adjusting, altering or modifying of a Type A gas appliance to operate on a different kind of gas from the gas the appliance was originally manufactured to use.
(2)In this regulation "Type A gas appliance" has the same meaning as a "Type A appliance" defined in section 3 of the Gas Safety Act 1997.
18.Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work
Plumbing (Type B Gasfitting) work is gasfitting work carried out on a Type B appliance within the meaning of the Gas Safety Act 1997.
Reg. 18A inserted by S.R. No. 66/2001 reg. 8.
18A.Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work
r. 18
Plumbing (Backflow Prevention) work is the inspection, maintenance, commissioning, testing, alteration or repair of a registered or testable backflow prevention device listed in column 1 of Table 4.1(a) of AS/NZS 3500.1.2–1998.
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Part 3—Qualification and Experience Requirements for Licence or Registration
Division 1—Qualifications and Experience Required for Classes of Plumbing Work
19.Qualifications required for registration
r. 19
The qualifications required for a person to be able to be registered under section 221O of the Act to carry out—
(a)Plumbing (Gasfitting) work, Plumbing (Mechanical Services) work, Plumbing (Roofing (Stormwater)) work, Plumbing (Sanitary) work and Plumbing (Water Supply) work are—
(i)the completion of, and a pass in, Stages1 and 2; and
(ii)a pass in the Stage 2 Practical Examination—
of the plumbing course 3212 C.D.A.;
(b)Plumbing (Draining) work is the completion of, and a pass in—
(i)Stages 1 and 2 and in the Stage 2 Practical Examination (Draining) of the plumbing course 3212 C.D.A.; or
(ii)the draining units and in the Stage 2 Practical Examination (Draining) of the plumbing course 3212 C.D.A..
20.Qualifications required for a licence
The qualifications required for a person to be able to be licensed under section 221M of the Act to carry out—