Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, gasfitting work is defined as the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any pipe, appliance, flue, fitting, apparatus, control or other item that is involved with the supply or use of gas that is fitted downstream of the gas supply point.
Gasfitting work includes:
Any gas appliance in, or on, a caravan or a vessel.
Any roof sheeting and roof flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work described in this sub-regulation.
Any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in this sub-regulation.
This work does not include
Type A specialised gasfitting work.
Type B gasfitting work
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.
The connection or disconnection of a gas storage container for the purpose of filling or refilling, exchanging, storing or disposing of the container.
Work relating to an item involved with the supply or use of gas that relates to the propulsion system, or any system that is powered by the propulsion system, of any motor vehicle or vessel.
Knowledge and experience requirements
Areas of experience (AoEs)
Persons registered or licensed in this class typically carry out the following work:
Prepare, install and commission type A gas appliances
Make provision for adequate ventilation when installing or replacing type A gas appliances
Install flues through ceilings, walls and roofs
Install and commission LPG gasfitting lines and / or appliances.
Compliance requirements
Registered and licensed practitioners in this class must interpret and apply the compliance requirements for this class outlined in:
Building Act 1993
Victorian Plumbing Regulations 2018
WorkSafe Victoria requirements for plumbing work and building construction sites
WaterMark Certification Scheme
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme
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) must successfully complete the relevant Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) exam. You are permitted to bring relevant reference materials to your exams.
Registration
There are different registration pathways:
Australian Apprentice pathway (most common pathway)
You are eligible to apply via this pathway if you have successfully completed the following:
Certificate III in in Plumbing 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.
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 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
In order to become licensed in this class, you must satisfy the following:
Hold (or be eligible) to hold registration in this class.
Have an additional two years of practical experience.
Hold the prescribed units for licence in this class.
Successfully complete the BPC licence exam for this class.
