Advisory Committees

The NPRF has established two advisory committees to provide advice to the NPRF on specific plumbing issues. The Technical Advisory Committee was formed in July 2006 and the Licensing and Education Advisory Committee in November 2006.

The Committees were formed when the role of the NPRF expanded beyond its original functions to take on the operations of the Australia – New Zealand Reciprocity Association (ANZRA),  eliminating the duplication of work done by both organisations.

Both Advisory Committees encourage consultation with stakeholders and hold an open session of their meetings where issues can be raised and discussed.  For contact information click here.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

Chairperson: Jeff Clark, SA Water
Secretary: Alan Humphreys, Department of Justice Tasmania

The role of the TAC is to provide advice to the NPRF on technical plumbing issues. It is committed to developing and maintaining the NPRF as a facilitator of technical excellence and solutions, formulating responses to technical issues of concern to industry and regulators, and liaising with the Licensing and Education Advisory Committee to identify and address technical training needs.

The TAC reviews and advises on:

  • legislation and regulatory strategies;
  • the Plumbing Code of Australia;
  • technical standards;
  • emerging technologies and issues; and
  • sustainability and environmental issues.

It is also instrumental in assessing the adequacy of technical solutions submitted to the NPRF for clarification as part of the WaterMark Certification Scheme for plumbing products.  A number of TAC members are also involved in the ASFlow project, and provide representation on relevant Standards Committees.

Licensing and Education Advisory Committee (LEAC)

Chairperson: Shayne La Combre, Plumbing Industry Commission, Victoria
Secretary: Gary Bath, Plumbing Industry Commission, Victoria

The role of the LEAC is to provide advice to the NPRF on licensing and education issues which relate to the mobility of the plumbing, drainage and gasfitting industry throughout Australia and New Zealand through the reciprocal recognition of qualifications and standards.

The LEAC reviews and advises on:

  • legislation and regulatory strategies;
  • issues impacting on the national training system;
  • national consistency in qualifications and mutual recognition;
  • the future development of the national plumbing and services training and assessment system;
  • national and international issues in relation to training, qualifications and licensing for the industry;
  • overseas qualifications in relation to agreed national training standards and qualifications; and
  • course syllabuses and examinations upon which reciprocity certificates are based, against the agreed national training standards and qualifications, to ensure that appropriate levels of standard are maintained.

The LEAC works to ensure appropriate uniform standards of qualifications and practices within the industry to ensure that training standards and qualifications align with industry practice. It also ensures that emerging licensing and training matters and water conservation and environmental issues are adequately incorporated into training to maintain protection of public health, safety, the environment and consumer interests.

A key piece of work for the Committee is the creation of a framework for continuing professional development through competency based licensing.