What is a Certificate of Compliance?

It is important when you have any plumbing work done at your home or business that you know the work will be up to standard. There are plumbing standards, codes and regulations in Victoria that all plumbers must comply with – and the last thing you want is to have an unqualified tradie carrying out work in your home!

A certificate of compliance is the document that certifies that the work a plumber carries out at your home or business complies with the relevant plumbing standards, codes and regulations.

All licensed plumbers are required to lodge a certificate of compliance with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

All certificates of compliance lodged with the VBA are subject to an audit program to ensure that plumbing work is being out to the relevant plumbing standards, codes and regulations In Victoria.

What Type of Plumbing Work is Subject to a Certificate of Compliance?

• any plumbing work that has a total value of $750 or more, including labour, materials, appliances, and/or fixtures, regardless of who they were purchased by
• all work carried out on below ground sanitary drains
• all work involving the installation, relocation, replacement or conversion of any gas-using appliance
• all work involving the installation, modification or relocation of consumer gas piping
• all work involving the construction, installation, relocation, alteration or replacement of cooling towers.

When must a certificate of compliance be issued?

All Licensed Plumbers must provide you with a signed compliance certificate within five days of completion of plumbing work. The certificate of compliance must also be lodged by your plumber with the VBA within that timeframe.

Failing to issue or lodge a compliance certificate within this timeframe is a serious offence. It can result in a costly infringement penalty (for each offence) or a referral to a disciplinary inquiry which can lead to a suspension or cancellation of the plumber's licence.

Who Can Issue A Certificate of Compliance?

Only a licensed plumber can issue a certificate of compliance when either:

• They personally carry out the work.
• A registered plumber or apprentice has carried out the work and the Licensed plumber has supervised it.
• They have engaged a licensed plumber to carry out the work on their behalf.

You can check that a compliance certificate issued to you has been formally lodged with the VBA. If you find that your compliance certificate has not been lodged, or that the lodged details differ from the compliance certificate that was issued to you you can contact the VBA to raise your concern.

Who should Keep A Copy?

You the consumer should keep a copy of the compliance certificate, as it is an important record that helps protect you against faulty workmanship.

What Details Are On A Certificate of Compliance?

A Certificate of Compliance has mandatory fields that must be completed. These fields include.

• Certificate of Compliance Number.
• Name and License number of Plumber
• Installation Address and date of works carried out.
• Type of Plumbing Work and description of works carried out.
• Practitioners notes.
• Consumer notes.
• A signed declaration that states the work carried out complies in all respects with the plumbing laws as defined in Part 12A of the Building Act 1993.
• Compliance Certificate status

If you need any further information about certificates of Compliance then please contact us on 1300 193 298 or enquire online. The above information is provided on the VBA Website so for further information please review.