The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) prescribes units of competency for each plumbing class. The prescribed units vary according to:
The class(es) you are applying for
Whether you are applying for registration or licence
The version of the course you complete.
If you completed your training:
In Victoria - typically your training provider will deliver the relevant prescribed units.
Interstate - you will have completed most of the prescribed units but may be missing some. You may still apply.
All plumbing courses were updated with new versions in late 2020. If you completed an earlier course (or equivalent units), you are not required to update your units.
You may be asked to do an additional exam for some classes if you did your course prior to 2018, to demonstrate your currency.
Current courses
The following documents list the prescribed units for both registration and licencing for current courses, for each category and class:
If you completed an earlier course, we will take this into account. In most cases, if you completed the prescribed units in an earlier course, you are not required to update your units.
The following documents list the prescribed units for both registration and licencing for earlier courses:
All persons who seek to become licenced are required to hold the 5 common licence units:
BSBESB402 Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
CPCCBC4012 Read and interpret plans and specifications
CPCPCM4011 Carry out work-based risk control processes
CPCPCM4012 Estimate and cost work
CPCPCM4015 Core Access and interpret regulatory requirements for the plumbing and services industry.
These are core units from CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing Services, and also form the PLUMLICSS1 Plumbing Licence for Common Units Skill Set.
Previously, there were 3 common units prescribed. With the introduction of the CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing Services, 2 new units were added:
CPCCBC4012 Read and interpret plans and specifications
CPCPCM4015 Core Access and interpret regulatory requirements for the plumbing and services industry
You are not required to complete the two new units if you are a currently licenced plumber or have completed an earlier version of the Certificate IV.
Have you completed other relevant training?
You may not be required to complete all the common licence units:
For persons who hold an Electrical Contractor Licence issued by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), you are only required to complete the two new units.
For persons who hold a Certificate IV or Diploma in Building and Construction, you may have completed some of the common licence units in your course.
Prescribed units – safety units (if you have not completed all prescribed units)
You may still apply if you believe you hold the same skills and knowledge as a person who has completed all the prescribed units.
You will still need to have completed relevant safety training for the class(es) you have applied for.
For all classes (with the exceptions listed below), you must hold the current (or an earlier version of the following training) or hold a licence that indicates that you have done relevant safety training.
Required safety training units or licences
Required for all classes:
The construction induction card (white card or red card) or have completed the unit required to obtain this.
A first aid course (any basic first aid course).
Required for all classes except drainage:
Working safely at heights and/or working safely on roofs.
Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres and/or the boom-type elevating work platform operation licence issued by WorkSafe Victoria.
