The NPRF is currently comprised of 13 member organisations from across all eight Australian states and territories and New Zealand. Members must represent statutory responsibility for occupational licensing/registration and or on-site plumbing regulation.

Member Organisation Profiles

Victoria

Plumbing Industry Commission

The Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) is a Victorian Government statutory authority that promotes safe, healthy and sustainable outcomes for all Victorians, through an efficient and effective plumbing regulatory system. It was established under Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 and is supported by the independent Plumbing Industry Advisory Council.

The PIC administers the licensing and registration system for plumbers, and promotes and enforces plumbing standards across Victoria. It works proactively to promote plumbing practices that protect the health and safety of the community and the integrity of water supply and wastewaster systems. By monitoring the performance of plumbers, the PIC also contributes to the protection of water and gas supply, wastewater, heating and cooling systems, and roofing.

The PIC also:

• Promotes, monitors and maintains expertise and competencies among industry professionals;
• Works with the community to address concerns and resolve complaints about work carried out by plumbers;
• Monitors and enforces compliance with technical standards of plumbing work; and
• Regularly consults and liaises with the plumbing industry to achieve transparency in reform processes and the promotion of innovative and effective plumbing solutions.

Website: www.pic.vic.gov.au  

South Australia

South Australian Water Corporation

The South Australian Water Corporation (SA Water) is the technical regulator for sanitary plumbing, drainage and water plumbing connected to SA Water infrastructure in South Australia. SA Water aims to fulfil the statutory obligations set out in the Waterworks Act 1932 and the Sewerage Act 1929. These include an obligation to regulate:

• Pipes, fittings, appliances and apparatus connected, or to be connected to SA Water’s water or wastewater system;
• Installation and inspection of pipes, fittings appliances and apparatus connected, or to be connected to SA Water’s water or waste water system; and
• The requirements of the legislation by prosecution of offences and other appropriate action.

SA Water’s aim is to educate, provide technical advice and work collaboratively with the plumbing industry to ensure that public health and infrastructure is safeguarded, and water resources and the environment sustained for the future by the effective monitoring of plumbing installations and products.

Website: www.sawater.com.au

Office of Consumer and Business Affairs 

The Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) is a division of the Attorney-General's Department within the South Australian Government's Justice Portfolio. The OCBA supports the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs to fulfill the statutory obligations set out in the Fair Trading Act 1987. These include a clear obligation to:

• Monitor business activities that affect consumers and to investigate practices that may adversely affect the interests of consumers generally or a particular class of consumers;
• Encourage trade, industry and professional associations to draft, disseminate to their members and enforce codes of practice that promote fair trading and safeguard the interests of consumers;
• Prepare and disseminate guidelines for traders;
• Enforce the requirements of fair-trading legislation by the prosecution of offences and other appropriate action;
• License businesses and register workers; and,
• Make reports to the Minister on matters referred to the Commissioner by the Minister and on the exercise of the functions of the Commissioner.

Website: www.ocba.sa.gov.au

Queensland

Department of Local Government and Planning

Building Codes Queensland, a division of the Department of Local Government and Planning, ensures high-quality and cost-effective building and plumbing codes, and an efficient system for approving building and plumbing work. This protects and enhances the health, safety and wellbeing of Queenslanders.

Building Codes Queensland provides advice about applying building and plumbing regulations to:

• Building and plumbing practitioners;
• Councils;
• State government departments; and
• The general public.

Building Codes Queensland oversees the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002 and provides plumbing information on on-site sewerage facilities, water saving measures (including greywater use), sub-meters and more. It also provides support to the Plumbers and Drainers Board.

Website: http://www.dIgp.qld.gov.au/  

New South Wales

NSW Fair Trading

The NSW Fair Trading forms part of the New South Wales Department of Commerce, a government agency whose role is to make doing business in New South Wales simple, accessible and fair for employees, consumers and industry while providing best value for government.

The role of NSW Fair Trading in the building industry is to promote fair trading by licensing plumbing and electrical occupations for commercial and residential work, and builders and associated tradespeople for residential building work, protecting the rights of consumers and providing information.

The Home Building Service was established in the NSW Fair Trading in 2003 to administer the building-related functions of Fair Trading, for example, licensing, compliance, insurance, and overseeing the private home warranty insurance scheme.

Website: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

NSW Office of Water 

The NSW Office of Water is a separate office within the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water  It is responsible for the management of the State's surface water and ground water resources. 

The Office of Water reports to the Minister for Water, for water policy and the administratiion of key water management legislation, including the Water Management Act 2000, Water Act 1912, and the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Act 2009. 

Website: www.water.nsw.gov.au  

Tasmania

Workplace Standards Tasmania, Department of Justice

Building and plumbing regulation in Tasmania is administered by Building Control, a branch of Workplace Standards Tasmania (Department of Justice). Its responsibilities include:

• Provision of professional, technical or policy advice to the state government, Permit Authorities (municipal councils) industry and community on technical issues affecting building and plumbing;
• The development and maintenance of the Tasmanian Plumbing Code and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) and its referenced Standards;
• Managing the authorisation of plumbing products and the accreditation of on-site waste water management systems at State and National levels under the Tasmanian Plumbing Code and the PCA;
• Providing advice in the development and maintenance of Australian Standards through membership of Australian and New Zealand Joint Technical Water Safety Committees: WS-013 On-site wastewater management; and WS-014 Plumbing and drainage;
• The development and maintenance of the Building Code of Australia through membership of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and various ABCB Committees; and
• Managing accreditation (licensing) of building practitioners, and the designers, builders and assessors of building work.

The registration/licensing of plumbers and gas-fitters is administered by Workplace Standards Tasmania and the Plumbers and Gas-fitters Registration Board established under the Plumbers and Gas-fitters Registration Act 1951. 

Website: http://www.wst.tas.gov.au   

Western Australia

Plumbers Licensing Board

The Plumbers Licensing Board was established in 2000 and is currently administered through the WA Department of Commerce. It is responsible for the regulation of plumbing work in Western Australia with the primary functions to:

• Administer the plumbers licensing scheme and associated licensing and disciplinary functions;
• Ensure compliance with prescribed plumbing standards;
• Monitor matters relating to the qualification and training of plumbers;
• Investigate complaints regarding breaches of standards and unlicensed plumbing work; and
• Educate and advise consumers, industry and government on matters relating to the licensing and regulation of plumbers.

Website: www.plumbers.wa.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Planning and Land Authority

Website: http://www.actpla.act.gov.au

Northern Territory

Department of Planning and Infrastructure

Website: www.nt.gov.au/lands/building/ - Building Advisory Services Branch, Northern Territory Lands Group

New Zealand

Department of Building and Housing

Website: http://www.dbh.govt.nz

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board

Website: http://www.pgdb.co.nz

Current NPRF Nominees