Plumbers FAQ's
The following information should assist you in understanding the Board's compliance and inspection framework.
Administrative Matters
As-Constructed Diagrams
Audit Inspections
Compliance
Fees for Plumbing Work
Local Government Authority Role
Self-Certification
Water Corporation Role
Other Questions
General Administration - (08) 9476 1377
Technical Advice - 1300 360 897 or
Email - plumbers@commerce.wa.gov.au
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Administrative Matters
As-Constructed Diagrams
- What are the as-constructed drawing requirements?
- The Water Corporation require a copy of the installed sewerage drain layout.
- Local Government Authorities are now requesting they be given an as-constructed drawing for all drainage work carried out in their district.
- How do I obtain a copy of an as constructed drainage installation diagram (E-Plan/Flimsy Request)?
- The process for obtaining a copy of an as-constructed drainage installation diagram will remain unchanged. In sewered areas, a request for an as constructed drainage installation diagram needs to be made to the relevant licensed water services provider. In non-sewered areas, a request for such diagrams need to be made to the local government authority.
Audit Inspections
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- No, a drainage audit is not required if an on-site waste disposal unit is being installed as this work falls outside of the jurisdiction of the Plumbers Licensing Board and is the responsibility of the local government authority. However, the associated drainage plumbing work will need to be audited by a plumbing compliance officer and the requirement to book a drainage audit applies to the associated drainage plumbing work.
- Who are inspecting my drainage plumbing work and what will they be looking at?
- Plumbing compliance officers under the direction of the Plumbers Licensing Board are responsible for auditing all plumbing work. For drainage plumbing the audit would normally include an examination of the following features:
- Drain venting
- Approved materials
- Gradient
- Backfill material
- Pipe sizing
- Surcharge protection
- Drain connection point
- Bedding and bedding materials
- Cover requirements
- Infiltration protection
- Support
- Pits and inspection chambers
- Plumbing compliance officers under the direction of the Plumbers Licensing Board are responsible for auditing all plumbing work. For drainage plumbing the audit would normally include an examination of the following features:
- Who are conducting audits of water supply and sanitary plumbing work for which a certificate of compliance has been lodged and what will they be looking at?
- Plumbing compliance officers under the direction of the Plumbers Licensing Board are responsible for auditing all plumbing work. An audit may arise from a notice of intention, certificate of compliance or compliance check. For water supply and sanitary plumbing work the audit would normally include an examination of the following features:
- Valves, cisterns and taps
- Approved materials/fixtures
- Flow rates
- Positioning of fixtures
- Pipe sizing
- Cross-connection provisions
- Frost protection (where appropriate)
- Lagging of pipework
- Overflow provisions
- Support
- Plumbing compliance officers under the direction of the Plumbers Licensing Board are responsible for auditing all plumbing work. An audit may arise from a notice of intention, certificate of compliance or compliance check. For water supply and sanitary plumbing work the audit would normally include an examination of the following features:
Compliance
- What if more than one minor plumbing work is carried out at the same time at the same property/address?
- If more than one type of minor plumbing work is carried out at the same property, for example tap washers are replaced and a drain is unblocked, the licensed plumbing contractor responsible for the work will need to write down the code for both types of minor work in the column marked "job code/s" for that property.
- What should a licensed plumbing contractor do if asked to perform plumbing work on a job and while there, notices other work which is not connected in any way to the work that the contractor are doing but the work is unsafe or not in proper working order?
- The licensed plumbing contractor should inform the owner or occupier of the premises that the plumbing is unsafe or not in proper working order and detail the possible health or safety risks. Where there is a health, safety or environmental risk the plumbing contractor should report the matter to the PLB.
Fees for Plumbing Work
- Do the fees for new installations need to be paid upon lodgement of the notice of intention?
- If new installation fees apply, then the Licensed Plumbing Contractor who gives the first, or only notice of intention in respect of the plumbing work is responsible for the payment of the fees or to provide a receipt number of payment (which may have been paid in advanced by a builder). A new installation fee schedule can be found on the New Installation Fee page under the plumbers menu.
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I am installing fixtures in an existing building, am I still required to pay the fees for new installations?
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No, there are no fees applicable for installations in existing buildings unless there has been a change to the roofline and the new sanitary fixtures are being installed in that new area.
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A roofline change may include an extension to an existing home (e.g adding on an ensuite to a bedroom) as well as an additional storey to a home. It does not include refurbishments or renovations to existing properties.
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Local Government Authority Role
- Is the Local Government Authority still responsible for the drainage and sanitary plumbing connected to a septic tanks/ATU systems?
- No, the jurisdiction for this work now comes under the Plumber's Licensing Board. All relevant testing requirements now are the responsibility of the Plumber's Licensing Board.
Self-Certification
- Is there GST payable on the purchase of certificates?
- No the purchase of certificates is GST exempt.
- When is minor plumbing work considered to be major plumbing work for the purposes of self-certification?
- Minor plumbing work that is carried out as part of major plumbing work is considered to be major plumbing work for the purposes of self-certification. This means that any work that is minor, such as replacing existing water supply plumbing, that is associated with major plumbing work being carried out, such as the replacement of a hot water unit, can be certified on the same certificate of compliance as the major work. Therefore, if the existing water supply pipework between the isolating valve and a hot water unit is replaced at the same time as the hot water unit, the certificate of compliance used to certify the hot water unit replacement can also be used to certify the replacement of the water supply pipework.
- We're both licensed so why can't another plumber sign my Notice of Intentions/Certificate of Compliance?
- The certificate numbers purchased will be recorded against the licensed plumbing contractor and only that licensed contractor will be able to submit them to the Board. This means that notices/certificates will not be transferable from one licensed plumbing contractor to another.
- What if a licensed plumbing contractor goes on leave and another licensed plumbing contractor are exercising general direction and control in the contractor's absence?
- If it is only intended that the licensed plumbing contractor are away for a short period and adequate measures have been put in place to exercise general direction and control while the plumbing contractor is away, certificates of compliance can be lodged with the PLB when the licensed plumbing contractor returns to work. If the licensed plumbing contractor are away for a prolonged period, it is necessary for another licensed plumbing contractor to take over responsibility for the work and submit the notice of intention and certificate of compliance required.
- How do I record a cut and seal of a sewerage drain?
- Record on the multi entry certificate with the appropriate code which is 64.
- When a licensed plumbing contractor is working on a new development consisting of 6 new homes, can a single notice of intention/certificate of compliance be lodged for the whole project or will separate certificates of compliance be required?
- It may be possible to lodge one notice of intention/certificate of compliance for the project providing that the development is on one title. If each home is on a separate title, individual notices and certificates will need to be lodged with the PLB.
- Where a builder or developer uses more than one individual plumbing contractor on a project does that mean that more than one notice of intention/certificate of compliance will need to be lodged for that job?
- Each licensed plumbing contractor is responsible for the work that he/she performs or has been carried out under their general direction and control. If a separate contractor is used for different stages or to carry out different types of plumbing work such at installing the drains or sanitary fixtures, each plumbing contractor responsible must lodge a separate notice of intention/certificate of compliance. The notice of intention and certificate of compliance submitted must clearly indicate the work that the licensed plumbing contractor submitting the notice/certificate is responsible for.
- Can a licensed plumbing contractor refuse to provide a property owner or occupier with a copy of the certificate of compliance if they refuse to pay for the work?
- A licensed plumbing contractor can not refuse to issue a certificate of compliance to an owner or occupier of the property where the work was carried out. To refuse to issue the certificate of compliance will place the licensed plumbing contractor at risk of receiving an infringement notice or possible prosecution.
- If a licensed plumbing contractor is asked to carry out plumbing work and part of the existing installation that requires connecting into is not safe or in proper working order, is the contractor required to certify the work that he/she has not carried out?
- In completing a certificate of compliance the licensed plumbing contractor is certifying all plumbing that the plumbing work relies upon for its safe and effective operation. This means that the licensed plumbing contractor is required to ensure that the part of the existing installation that is relied upon for the operation of the new plumbing is safe and in proper working order.
- What address do I send my certificates/correspondence to?
- Certificates/correspondence can be lodged:
- In person at any Commerce office
- By posting to:
Plumbers Licensing Board
Locked Bag 12
WEST PERTH WA 6872
- Certificates/correspondence can be lodged:
- What are the penalties for not submitting notices of intention/certificates of compliance and multi-entry certificates?
- Infringement penalties can apply to licensed plumbing contractors who fail to comply with the requirement to lodge notices of intention/certificates of compliance and multi-entry certificates with the PLB. The modified infringement penalty are 1 0% of the maximum penalty that would apply if a successful prosecution was achieved through the court system. The penalties that apply are as follows:
|
Form |
Infringement Penalty |
Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
$300 |
$3,000 | |
|
$500 |
$5,000 | |
|
$200 |
$2,000 |
Water Corporation Role
- What is the Water Corporation still responsible for?
- Receiving a sewerage connection fee* for connection of the property to the Minister's main
- Connection between the Minister's main and the connection point servicing the property
- Backflow prevention, commissioning and annual testing of the devices installed.
- Strata requirements
- Industrial Wastes - the approval, design and ongoing monitoring of all industrial wastes
- Receiving and recording all as-constructed drawings plus the issuing of those as constructed drawings to plumbers and consumers when requested. An applicable fee* may be charged.