Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, drainage work is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, relining, testing or commissioning of any part of:
a. a below-ground sanitary drainage system from the above-ground sewage or waste pipes to and including:
the land application system
the connection to a holding tank
the connection with the discharge reticulation system exclusively vested in an authority that has a sewerage district under the Water Act 1989.
b. a below ground stormwater drainage system from the above-ground stormwater pipes to the point of discharge
c. any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in Regulation 15(1)(a).
This work does not include
the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, relining, testing or commissioning of:
a subsoil drain for the sole purpose of subsoil water collection
stormwater pits, channels that are grated or below-ground storage or retention tanks
any excavation of trenches, excavations using trenchless technology or directional boring.
Knowledge and experience requirements
Areas of Experience (AoEs)
Persons registered or licenced in this class typically carry out the following work:
Lay stormwater and sanitary drains
Install, connect, and test underground sewage treatment systems
Install onsite wastewater treatment systems.
Compliance requirements
Registered and licenced practitioners in this class must interpret and apply the compliance requirements for this class outlined in:
Building Act 1993 (Vic)
Victorian Plumbing Regulations 2018
WorkSafe Victoria requirements for plumbing work and building construction sites
Additional compliance requirements for licenced practitioners
Licenced practitioners hold a greater level of responsibility and must interpret and apply the following additional compliance requirements:
Issue compliance certificates
Knowledge of Performance Solutions
WorkSafe Victoria requirements for supervising staff (including supervision of apprentices)
Hold relevant insurance
What do you need to become registered or licenced in this class?
All persons who apply for registration or licence in this class (unless applying via Mutual Recognition) must successfully complete the relevant BPC exam. You are permitted to bring relevant reference materials to your exams.
Registration
There are different pathways to become registered:
Australian apprentice pathway
This is the most common pathway.
You are eligible to apply via this pathway if you have successfully completed the:
Certificate III in in Plumbing via an Australian apprenticeship or
Certificate II Drainage completed via an Australian traineeship
Plus
Prescribed units for this class and
BPC apprentice registration exam for this class (typically completed in the final year of your apprenticeship or traineeship).
You will need to apply via the non-apprentice pathway if you:
did not complete your Certificate III or II
completed the Certificate III, but not as an apprenticeship
completed the Certificate II, but not as a traineeship
completed plumbing training (including an apprenticeship) in another country.
Graduated but not yet successfully completed your BPC apprentice exam?
You may apply for Provisional Registration (PR). This will allow you to continue to work lawfully for up to 12 months while you are waiting to sit your exam.
Non-apprentice pathway
To apply via this pathway, you must meet the following conditions:
At least 2 years in the required Areas of Experience
Can interpret and apply the compliance requirements for this class
And
Have a current Construction Induction Card (white or red card)
And have successfully completed either the:
Prescribed units for this class or
Prescribed safety units for this class and can demonstrate the same knowledge and skill as a person who has completed the prescribed units
And
Can provide a Technical Referee Report from a suitably qualified licenced plumber in this class
Plus
Successfully complete the BPC non-apprentice registration exam for this class.
Are you eligible for Provisional Registration?
Some persons may be eligible for Provisional Registration (PR). PR allows you to work lawfully for up to 12 months whilst you are waiting to complete your BPC registration exams.
Mutual Recognition
If you hold a current registration or licence in another Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand that the BPC recognises as equivalent to this class, you may be eligible to apply for mutual recognition.
Licence
To become licenced in this class, you must meet all of the following conditions:
Hold (or be eligible) to hold registration in this class.
An additional 2 years of practical experience.
Hold the prescribed units for licence in this class.
And
Successfully complete the BPC licence exam for this class.
