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- Plumbing
- Enforcement
The top plumbing compliance problems in 2026
Each year, BPC plumbing compliance auditors and inspectors conduct thousands of checks on plumbing work across Victoria to ensure it meets the required standards.
Published 22 September 2026
Thirty per cent of plumbers fail these audits and inspections.
Where appropriate, BPC staff provide onsite guidance and education to help plumbers comply with rules and regulations. However, serious non-compliances may be referred for further investigation or enforcement action.
In FY 2025-26, the BPC:
- completed 5200+ compliance audits and drainage inspections
- issued 900+ rectification notices to fix non-compliant work
- issued 150 infringement notices.
Read on to see what our inspectors found.
Drainage inspections
- 2400+ drainage inspections carried out across Victoria
- 29% of drainage inspections failed
- 12% failed due to non-compliance
- 17% failed because they were not ready for inspection.
Top compliance problems
- Drain failed the air test
- Bends formed risers and below-ground traps did not have the required concrete support
- Drain did not have appropriate bedding/support
- Drain not laid straight with even grade
- 100mm junctions from branch drains to main drain were not inclined at least 15°.
Compliance audits
- 1800+ plumbing compliance audits completed
- 31% of plumbing compliance audits failed.
Top compliance problems
- Multilayer gas lines did not have appropriate fire emergency shut-off isolation
- Failure to meet minimum clearances between rangehoods and gas cooking surfaces
- Dissimilar metals between roof sheets and ductwork in direct contact
- Hot water not tempered to maximum 50° C where required
- Hot water pressure relief drains not discharging appropriately
- Above-ground drains not supported appropriately
- Water pressure at interior outlets exceeds 500kPa.
Heat pump installs
- 120,000+ air-conditioning compliance certificates issued
- 200+ targeted audits completed
- 22% of audited installations failed.
Top compliance problems
- Non-compliant termination of condensation drain
- Insufficient access to roof-mounted units
- Insufficient access and lighting to units installed in roof spaces
- Refrigerated air-conditioning pipework not supported/clipped appropriately
- Refrigerated air-conditioning pipework insulation unprotected from UV.
Gasfitting
Gasfitting work accounted for 11% of all non-compliances identified during compliance audits.
Top compliance problems
- Multilayer gas pipe missing fire emergency isolation
- Multilayer gas pipe installed above ground and external to building
- Gas appliances not commissioned correctly
- Gas cooking appliance combustible surfaces unprotected
- Proprietary gas systems missing gas labels
- Missing 1m metallic pipework into wall from appliance point
- Consumer piping ends unsealed during install
- Inappropriate use of PVC or PE gas pipe.
Learn more about our plumbing audit and inspection program.