A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Plumber in Victoria

Step1: Meet the Requirements

Before you begin your plumbing career, you need to make sure you have met all the required criteria. To become a licensed plumber in Victoria, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent qualification
• Have a clean criminal record

If all these requirements are met, you can move forward to the next step.

Step 2: Complete a Pre-Apprenticeship Program

To gain the skills and knowledge necessary for plumbing, you need to complete a pre-apprenticeship plumbing program at a Technical or Trade School. This is a short course (usually around 16 weeks full time) that provides the basic skills and training in the plumbing field. This includes things like basic welding, sheet metal, roofing, drainage, sanitary, water and gas principles.

Pre-apprenticeship programs usually cover plumbing basics including:

• Safety
• Math
• Plumbing codes
• Blueprint reading
• The basic principles in:
  • Welding
  • Sheet metal
  • Roofing
  • Drainage
  • Sanitary
  • Water
  • Gas

Completing a pre-apprenticeship is preferred by most plumbing employers when looking to take on new apprentices.

Step 3: Apply for a Plumbing Apprenticeship

Once you complete the pre-apprenticeship program, you can begin your plumbing apprenticeship. An apprenticeship program usually takes four years to complete, and you will need to complete 7,200 hours of on-the-job and classroom training.
The apprenticeship program is designed to provide you with hands-on training while working alongside experienced plumbers.

There are 2 parts to a plumbing apprentice program:

1. You will complete the Certificate III in Plumbing which is a nationally accredited qualification.
2. You must find a licensed plumbing practitioner under whom you can do your apprenticeship.

So how does one find a plumbing apprenticeship?

There are many ways to find a plumbing apprenticeship. Here are some avenues to pursue:

• Secure an apprenticeship by utilising South West TAFE’s Student Services. The Skills and Jobs Centre is available to provide assistance and clear advice.
• Through word-of-mouth
• Contacting contractors who may know of an open position.
• The Master Plumbers website offer job openings for plumbing apprentices.
• You can also find apprenticeships through online job postings, classified ads, or directly reaching out to local unions or firms.

Once assessed by the Victorian Building Authority; plumbers are then qualified to work independently as a registered plumber.

Step 4: Get Your Plumbing License

After you complete the apprenticeship program, you need to take and pass the plumber’s licensing exam to obtain your plumbing license.

The licensing exam covers all aspects of the plumbing industry, including the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing systems. Basically you can obtain a license in each class of plumbing you are registered in and each license class is a separate assessment and exam. You can learn more about applying for a plumbing licence on the Victorian Building Authority website.

After passing each exam, you will receive your license, and you can begin working as a qualified and certified plumber in that class.