Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, sanitary work is:
the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, relining, testing or commissioning of any part of an above-ground sanitary plumbing system to connect sanitary fixtures and appliances to a holding tank, wastewater treatment system or a below-ground sanitary drainage system and includes:
any fixture or appliance in, or on, a caravan or vessel that is connected to a holding tank, wastewater treatment system or a below-ground sanitary drainage system
any roof sheeting and roof flashing that is necessary for the purpose of any work described in this subregulation
any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in paragraph (a).
This work does not include
water supply work
drainage work
the installation of a bath or shower base other than the connection of a waste outlet to an above-ground sanitary plumbing system or a below-ground sanitary drainage system.
Knowledge and experience requirements
Areas of experience (AoEs)
Persons registered or licenced in this class typically carry out the following work:
Plan and install the layout of a residential sanitary system.
Install, repair, replace, and test vents.
Install, repair, replace, and test pipework.
Install and connect sanitary fixtures, including sanitary pumps.
Clear and repair sanitary drain blockages.
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
WaterMark Certification Scheme
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme
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
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
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 PR. PR allows you to work lawfully for up to 12 months while 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 MR.
Licence
To become licenced in this class, you must meet the following conditions:
Hold (or be eligible) to hold registration in this class.
Have 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.
