1Objectives

The main objectives of these Regulations are—

(a)

to specify work that is plumbing work to which Part 12A of the Building Act 1993 applies, and to specify classes of plumbing work and classes of specialised plumbing work for the purposes of that Part; and

(b)

to specify the qualifications and experience required for a person to be able to be licensed or registered to carry out plumbing work; and

(c)

to incorporate the Plumbing Code of Australia and to prescribe standards and other requirements that a licensed or registered plumber must comply with when carrying out plumbing work; and

(d)

to specify fees for the purposes of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993; and

(e)

to provide for other matters for the purposes of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993.

2Authorising provisions

These Regulations are made under sections 221ZZZV and 262 of the Building Act 1993.

3Commencement

These Regulations come into operation on 18 November 2018.

4Revocations

The Regulations listed in Schedule 1 are revoked.

5Definitions

In these Regulations—

apprenticeship means a training contract between a person and an employer entered into under Part 5.5 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006;

approved competency units means competency units that are approved by the Authority under regulation 45;

Reg. 5 def. of AS 1851 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3), new def. of AS 1851 inserted by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(1), revoked by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 19(2).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2118.2 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2118.3 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2118.8 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2118.10 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2473.3 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2568 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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AS 2845.2 means AS 2845.2 Water supply—Backflow preventions devices Part 2: registered air gaps and registered break tanks, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS 2896 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2902 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 2941 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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AS 3814 means AS 3814 Industrial and commercial gas-fired appliances, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

AS 4032.3 means AS 4032.3 Water supply—Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures Part 3: Requirements for field-testing, maintenance or replacement of thermostatic mixing valves, tempering valves and end-of-line temperature control devices, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.1 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.2 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.3 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.4 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.5 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.6 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.7 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS 4118.1.8 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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AS 4575 means AS 4575 Gas appliances—Quality of servicing, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 1530.3 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 2918 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 3500.0 revoked by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 19(2).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 3500.1 substituted by S.R. Nos 122/2022 reg. 4(1), 102/2023 reg. 24(1).

AS/NZS 3500.1 means AS/NZS 3500.1 Plumbing and Drainage Part 1: Water services, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 3500.2 substituted by S.R. Nos 122/2022 reg. 4(2), 102/2023 reg. 24(2), revoked by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 19(2).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 3500.3 inserted by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(3), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 3500.4 inserted by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(3), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 4234 substituted by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(4), revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(2)(a).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 4859.1 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 5149.1 inserted by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(1), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 5149.2 inserted by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(1), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 5149.3 inserted by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(1), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 5149.4 inserted by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(1), revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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AS/NZS 5601.1 means AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas installations Part 1: General installations, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

AS/NZS 5601.2 means AS/NZS 5601.2 Gas installations Part 2: LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS 6400 amended by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(2).

AS/NZS 6400 means AS/NZS 6400 Water efficient products—Rating and labelling, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS ISO 817 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS ISO 5149.1 revoked by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS ISO 5149.2 revoked by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS ISO 5149.3 revoked by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of AS/NZS ISO 5149.4 revoked by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 4(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of Australia and New Zealand Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 1 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of Australia and New Zealand Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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automated bleeding device means an automatic device used for the purposes of draining or bleeding or removing a fluid or gas;

automatic or manual interchange device means a device that by way of manual or automatic means can alternate between varying water sources;

backflow prevention work has the meaning set out in regulation 32;

Building Regulations means the Building Regulations 2018^[1];

caravan means a structure, other than a vessel, that is—

(a)

designed or adapted to be moved from place to place; and

(b)

intended for human habitation or use as a workplace including a self-propelled recreational vehicle or mobile home and any attached or adjoining annex or the like;

Certificate II course means a Certificate II course accredited under Part 4.4 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006;

Certificate III course means a Certificate III course accredited under Part 4.4 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006;

Reg. 5 def. of Class 1 building revoked by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(5).

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Reg. 5 def. of Class 1a building revoked by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(5).

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Reg. 5 def. of Class 10a building revoked by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(5).

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Reg. 5 def. of Climate zone 4 revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(2)(b).

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connection point means the outlet side of the meter assembly, control valve or backflow prevention device located immediately upstream from the pipework exclusively servicing the irrigation system;

cooling tower has the same meaning as it has in the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008;

cooling tower drift eliminator means a device used to control water loss from a cooling tower through the exhaust air;

drainage work has the meaning set out in regulation 15;

drinking water has the same meaning as it has in the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003;

fire protection equipment includes any of the following—

(a)

a fire hydrant or hose reel;

(b)

a residential or domestic fire sprinkler system;

(c)

a commercial or industrial fire sprinkler system;

(d)

a fire system pumpset;

fire protection work has the meaning set out in regulation 17;

gas has the same meaning as it has in the Gas Safety Act 1997;

gas company has the same meaning as it has in the Gas Safety Act 1997;

gas isolating valve means a valve for the purpose of isolating part of a gas installation from the remainder of the gas installation;

gas storage container means a tank, cylinder or similar container from which gas is supplied;

gas supply point means—

(a)

the outlet of a gas company's meter assembly; or

(b)

the outlet of the primary shut-off valve of a gas storage container; or

(c)

if paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply, the point of supply of gas;

gasfitting work has the meaning set out in regulation 19;

Reg. 5 def. of HB 276 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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heat pump water heater means a water heater using vapour compression cycle and incorporating a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, which delivers heat to the water either directly or indirectly;

holding tank means a tank used for holding wastewater prior to pumping out;

irrigation (non-agricultural) work has the meaning set out in regulation 20;

land application system means the system used to apply effluent from a wastewater treatment unit into, or onto, the soil for further in-soil treatment and absorption or evaporation;

mechanical services work has the meaning set out in regulation 21;

medical gases means any gas or mixture of gases or other substance or process for medical use that is supplied to, removed from or conducted at a hospital (or any other place where medical procedures are carried out), by way of a pipeline reticulation system and includes the following—

(a)

oxygen;

(b)

helium;

(c)

nitrous oxide;

(d)

nitrogen;

(e)

medical air;

(f)

surgical tool gas;

(g)

carbon dioxide;

(h)

common mixtures of the gases in paragraphs (a) to (g);

(i)

anaesthesia waste;

membrane means a protective material or substance that is applied to a roof covering to provide waterproofing;

minor tap repairs means the removal, reinstallation or replacement of tap handles, bonnets, spindles, tap washers, O-rings, or body washers but does not include—

(a)

the repair or replacement of any mixer tap, mixer tap cartridge, breech, outlet or ceramic disc spindle; or

(b)

any work on a thermostatic mixing valve, a tempering valve or a backflow prevention device;

Reg. 5 def. of network utility operator revoked by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 4(5).

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PCA means the Plumbing Code of Australia within the meaning of Part 12A of the Building Act 1993;

rainwater means water collected directly from roof run-off;

rainwater tank means a tank or a number of connecting tanks designed to collect rainwater from roof catchments;

refrigerated air-conditioning work has the meaning set out in regulation 23;

relining means the rehabilitation process for a plumbing pipe system involving the curing in-place of a lining system using materials such as epoxy, silicate, vinylester and polyester;

Restricted electrical worker's licence (Class 2) has the same meaning as it has in the Electricity Safety (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2010^[2] and includes a Disconnect/reconnect licence that is treated as a Restricted electrical worker's licence (Class 2) as a result of the operation of regulation 42 of those Regulations;

retention tank means any storage receptacle used for the storage and detainment of stormwater;

roof covering means any part of a roof structure that covers a building to provide weatherproofing and prevent the ingress of water but does not include a membrane or insulation;

roofing (stormwater) work has the meaning set out in regulation 25;

Reg. 5 def. of routine servicing amended by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 19(1).

routine servicing means the inspection (including survey), testing and preventative maintenance of fire protection equipment;

Reg. 5 def. of SA HB 39 revoked by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 24(3).

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Reg. 5 def. of SAA/SNZ HB 114 revoked by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 19(2).

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sanitary work has the meaning set out in regulation 27;

sewage has the same meaning as it has in the Water Act 1989;

Reg. 5 def. of solar pre-heater revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(2)(c).

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Reg. 5 def. of solar water heater revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(2)(d).

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specialised gasfitting work means any of the following classes of specialised plumbing work—

(a)

Type A appliance conversion work;

(b)

Type A appliance servicing work;

(c)

Type B gasfitting advanced work;

stormwater pit means a chamber constructed within a stormwater drain or stormwater main in order to provide access for inspecting, testing or the clearance of obstructions;

subsoil drain means a trench filled with filter material or enhanced by using slotted pipes for the purpose of conveying subsoil water;

tempering valve means a mixing valve that is temperature actuated and is used to temper a hot water supply with cold water to provide hot water at a lower temperature;

the Act means the Building Act 1993;

Reg. 5 def. of thermal energy load revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 6(2)(e).

* * * * *

thermal fluid heater means an appliance that uses an oil or hydrocarbon based heat transfer medium in the liquid phase;

thermostatic mixing valve means a mixing valve in which the temperature of the water from the mixed water outlet is automatically controlled by a thermostatic element or sensor to deliver water at a preselected temperature that is suitable for direct contact with the skin;

thermostatic mixing valve work has the meaning set out in regulation 34;

trade waste has the same meaning as it has in the Water Act 1989;

Type A appliance has the same meaning as it has in the Gas Safety Act 1997;

Type A appliance conversion work has the meaning set out in regulation 36;

Type A appliance servicing work has the meaning set out in regulation 37;

Type B appliance has the same meaning as it has in the Gas Safety Act 1997;

Type B gasfitting advanced work has the meaning set out in regulation 38;

Type B gasfitting work has the meaning set out in regulation 29;

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 42/00—General Safety Requirements) 2006 means Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 42/00—General Safety Requirements) 2006, section 42.11, determined as a vehicle standard under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth, as issued, published or remade from time to time;

vessel means any houseboat, yacht or marine craft used for recreation and includes a vessel that is used—

(a)

for hire and reward; or

(b)

as a restaurant or for public entertainment;

water efficient shower head means a shower head with a water efficiency rating of 3 stars or greater as determined in accordance with AS/NZS 6400;

water service includes a service that is connected to a reticulated water supply, a rainwater supply or any other water supply;

water supply work has the meaning set out in regulation 30.

6Interpretation

(1)

If a provision of any document applied, adopted or incorporated by, or referred to in, these Regulations is inconsistent with any provision of these Regulations, the provision of these Regulations prevails.

(2)

Subject to the Act and to these Regulations, words and expressions used but not defined in these Regulations have the same meaning as they have in the PCA.

(3)

A reference to plumbing work in these Regulations, except in Part 6, includes a reference to specialised plumbing work unless a contrary intention expressly appears or the context otherwise requires.

(4)

In these Regulations, a reference to the installation, replacement, repair or alteration of or in relation to a thing, unless a contrary intention expressly appears or the context otherwise requires, includes—

(a)

the extension, renewal, relocation, connection, disconnection or removal of the thing; and

(b)

any work that is incidental to, or associated with, an activity described in this subregulation.

(5)

In these Regulations, a reference to the commissioning of a thing, unless a contrary intention expressly appears or the context otherwise requires, includes—

(a)

the recommissioning or decommissioning of the thing; and

(b)

any work that is incidental to, or associated with, an activity described in this subregulation.

(6)

In these Regulations, a reference to the construction, maintenance or testing of a thing includes any work that is incidental to, or associated with, the construction, maintenance or testing of the thing.

Reg. 6(7) amended by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 5.

(7)

Words and expressions used in Divisions 3 and 9 of Part 4 and Divisions 3, 4 and 5 of Part 5 but not defined in these Regulations or the PCA have the same meaning as they have in the following standards—

(a)

AS 3814;

(b)

AS 4575;

(c)

AS/NZS 5601.1;

(d)

AS/NZS 5601.2.

7PCA forms part of these Regulations

The PCA is adopted by and forms part of these Regulations, as modified by these Regulations.

Reg. 8 expired by force of S.R. No. 149/2018 reg. 8(2).

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9Modifications to the PCA

(1)

The PCA is to be read as if—

(a)

a reference to a plumbing or drainage installation were a reference to a plumbing or drainage system; and

(b)

a reference to a plumbing and drainage installation were a reference to a plumbing and drainage system; and

Reg. 9(1)(c) amended by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 7(1).

(c)

a reference to a plumbing installation were a reference to a plumbing or drainage system; and

Reg. 9(1)(d) inserted by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 7(2).

(d)

in the Notes to clause VIC B6D2 in Schedule 10, for "30 September 2023" there were substituted "30 April 2024"; and

Reg. 9(1)(e) inserted by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 7(2).

(e)

in the Notes to clause VIC B7D4 in Schedule 10, for "30 September 2023" there were substituted "30 April 2024".

Reg. 9(2) substituted by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 6(1), amended by S.R. Nos 122/2022 reg. 6(1), 122/2023 reg. 7(3)(a), revoked by S.R. No. 38/2026 reg. 20.

* * * * *

Reg. 9(3) revoked by S.R. No. 41/2019 reg. 6(2), new reg. 9(3) inserted by S.R. No. 122/2022 reg. 6(2), substituted by S.R. No. 102/2023 reg. 25, revoked by S.R. No. 122/2023 reg. 7(3)(b).

* * * * *

Note

Additional modifications to the PCA are set out in Schedule 2.

10Classes of plumbing work other than classes of specialised plumbing work

For the purposes of the definition of class of plumbing work in section 221B(1) of the Act, the following classes of plumbing work are specified—

(a)

drainage work;

(b)

fire protection work;

(c)

gasfitting work;

(d)

irrigation (non-agricultural) work;

(e)

mechanical services work;

(f)

refrigerated air-conditioning work;

(g)

roofing (stormwater) work;

(h)

sanitary work;

(i)

Type B gasfitting work;

(j)

water supply work.

11Classes of specialised plumbing work

For the purposes of the definition of class of specialised plumbing work in section 221B(1) of the Act, the following classes of specialised plumbing work are specified—

(a)

backflow prevention work;

(b)

on and from 18 November 2019, thermostatic mixing valve work;

(c)

Type A appliance conversion work;

(d)

Type A appliance servicing work;

(e)

Type B gasfitting advanced work.

12What is plumbing work?

(1)

For the purposes of section 221C(1) of the Act, the following work (other than work referred to in subregulation (2)) is plumbing work—

(a)

backflow prevention work;

(b)

drainage work;

(c)

fire protection work;

(d)

gasfitting work;

(e)

irrigation (non-agricultural) work;

(f)

mechanical services work;

(g)

refrigerated air-conditioning work;

(h)

roofing (stormwater) work;

(i)

sanitary work;

(j)

thermostatic mixing valve work;

(k)

Type A appliance conversion work;

(l)

Type A appliance servicing work;

(m)

Type B gasfitting work;

(n)

Type B gasfitting advanced work;

(o)

water supply work.

(2)

For the purposes of subregulation (1), the following work is not plumbing work—

(a)

any work carried out in relation to a supply or discharge reticulation system or a treatment plant or any equipment, appliance, fixture or system associated with that system or plant (other than any equipment, appliance, fixture or system used mainly for administrative or ablution purposes) owned by, or exclusively vested in—

(i)

a gas company; or

(ii)

an authority that has a water district or a sewerage district within the meaning of the Water Act 1989; or

(iii)

a council when the work is carried out for the purposes of a stormwater drainage system;

(b)

the internal design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any integral part of an on-site wastewater management system device or an on-site liquid trade waste management system device;

(c)

the opening or closing of inspection opening caps and covers in sewage, stormwater and waste pipes;

(d)

the clearing of blockages, or closed circuit television inspection of sewage, stormwater and waste pipes, using existing inspection openings or removable grates;

(e)

the connection for water use of hoses from appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washing machines to taps;

(f)

the connection of hoses to taps for the purposes of activities that use water including cleaning or watering a garden;

(g)

the connection of irrigation systems or devices to hose taps for the purposes of watering a garden or irrigation;

(h)

the installation of a refrigerated package appliance that does not require pipework to be installed for its operation;

(i)

design work that is carried out by a person who is—

(i)

a building practitioner; or

(ii)

an architect; or

Reg. 12 (2)(i)(iii) substituted by S.R. No. 2/2024 reg. 10.

(iii)

a building designer; or

(iv)

an engineer; or

(v)

a landscape architect; or

(vi)

a designer.

13Plumbing work that may be carried out by unlicensed or unregistered persons

(1)

For the purposes of section 221D(2)(b) of the Act, the change over of a water efficient shower head in a dwelling is plumbing work that may be carried out by a person who is not licensed or registered by the Authority.

(2)

For the purposes of section 221D(2)(b) of the Act, the repair or replacement of tap washers and other minor tap repairs in a dwelling is plumbing work that may be carried out by a person who is not licensed or registered by the Authority whether or not the person owns or occupies the dwelling.

Note

Under section 221D(2)(a) of the Act, a person who is not licensed or registered by the Authority may repair a tap in any dwelling that the person owns or occupies.

Plumbing Regulations 2018

About this Act

Bill & explanatory material

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