- the commissioning of a fire system pumpset.
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Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, fire protection work is:
- The construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, routine servicing, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any part of a water service used for fire fighting, from the point of connection of the service to the water supply up to and including any fire protection equipment forming part of that service.
- Any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in the paragraph above.
This work does not include
Knowledge and experience requirements
Areas of experience (AoEs)
People registered or licensed in this class typically carry out the following work:
- Fabricate, install, maintain, repair, commission and test:
- hose reels and hydrants
- residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems
- commercial and industrial fire sprinkler control systems.
- Fabricate, install, maintain, repair and test fire system pumpsets.
Compliance requirements
Registered and licensed 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
- National Construction Code (NCC), Vol 3
- Relevant Australian Standards
See permitted assessment reference materials.
Additional compliance requirements for licensed practitioners
Licensed 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.
Registration and licensing requirements
All persons who apply for registration or licence in this class - unless applying via mutual recognition(MR) - must successfully complete the relevant BPC exam. You are permitted to bring relevant reference materials to your exams.
Registration
There are two different registration pathways:
Australian apprentice pathway
You are eligible to apply via this common pathway if you have successfully completed:
- Certificate III in Fire Protection Services via an Australian apprenticeship
- Prescribed units for this class
- BPC apprentice registration exam for this class (typically completed in the final year of your apprenticeship).
You will need to apply via the non-apprentice pathway if you:
- Did not complete your Certificate III.
- Completed the Certificate III, but not as an apprenticeship.
- 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:
- Have at least 4 years in the required AoEs under supervision of a plumber licensed in this restricted class.
- Provide a Technical Referee Report from a plumber who holds licence in this class and directly supervised your work.
- Be able to interpret and apply the compliance requirements for this class.
- Hold a current Construction Induction Card (white or red card)
- Meet one of the following education requirements:
- Have successfully completed the prescribed units for this class
- Have successfully completed the prescribed safety units for this class and can demonstrate the same knowledge and skill as a person who has completed all the prescribed units.
Once you submit your application, you must also successfully complete the registration exams for this class.
Provisional registration
Some people may be eligible for PR which allows you to work lawfully for up to 12 months while you are waiting to complete your BPC registration exams.
Licence
To become licensed in this class, you must:
- Hold (or be eligible) to hold registration in this class.
- Hold an additional 2 years of practical experience.
- Have successfully completed the prescribed units for licence in this class.
- Have successfully complete the BPC non-apprentice registration exam for this class.
Useful links
Last updated 30 June 2026
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