Occupational restricted—plumber or drainer
Below outlines the requirements and process for applying for the following licences:
- occupational restricted—water plumber
- occupational restricted—drainer—on-site sewage facility
Scopes of work: restricted—water plumber
Includes
Water plumber—gas
- Connecting and disconnecting water plumbing associated with replacing a gas hot water heater.
Water plumber—electrical
- Connecting and disconnecting water plumbing associated with replacing an electric resistance hot water heater.
Water plumber—irrigation
- Water plumbing work restricted to irrigation.
Water plumber—fire protection (hydrants and hose reels)
- Installing, maintaining and testing fire hydrants and fire hose reels.
- Installing fire collars, if the installation is incidental to work mentioned in the dot point above.
Water plumber—fire protection (commercial and industrial)
- Installing, maintaining and testing commercial and industrial fire sprinkler systems.
- Installing fire collars, if the installation is incidental to work mentioned in the dot point above.
Water plumber—fire protection (domestic and residential)
- Installing, maintaining and testing domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems.
- Installing fire collars, if the installation is incidental to work mentioned in the dot point above.
Water plumber—water and sanitary
- Water plumbing work and sanitary plumbing work.
- Installing fire collars, if the installation is incidental to work mentioned in the dot point above.
Scopes of work: restricted—drainer
Includes
Drainer—on-site sewage facility (maintain)
- Maintaining on-site sewage facilities.
Drainer—on-site sewage facility (install and maintain)
- Carrying out OSTP installation work
- Maintaining on-site sewage facilities.
Eligibility requirements
You will need to provide photographic proof of identification with your application.
-
Additional licence—hold:
- gas work licence (Petroleum and Gas—Production and Safety—Act 2004)
Technical qualifications—complete both:
- CPCPWT3022 — Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices, and
- CPCPCM2043 — Carry out WHS requirements
Practical experience:
- none required
-
Additional licence—hold either:
- electrical mechanic licence (Electrical Safety Act 2002)
- electrical fitter licence (Electrical Safety Act 2002).
Technical qualifications—complete both:
- CPCPWT3022 — Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices. and
- CPCPCM2043—Carry out WHS requirements.
Practical experience:
- none required.
-
Technical qualifications—complete either:
- AHC32422—Certificate III in Irrigation Technology
- AHC32419—Certificate III in Irrigation Technology
- CPC20912—Certificate II in Urban Irrigation
Practical experience—both:
- practical experience
- practical experience for each of the competencies in the technical qualification you hold.
-
Technical qualifications—complete either:
- apprenticeship in plumbing and Certificate III in Plumbing
- apprenticeship in plumbing in Australia prior to 1 January 2011 AND:
- CPCPCM2043 – Carry out WHS requirements
- CPCPFS3046 – Test the integrity of water-based fire protection systems using pressure
- CPCPFS3047 – Test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers
- CPCPFS3037 – Install residential life safety sprinkler systems
- CPCPFS3041 – Inspect and test fire pumpsets
- apprenticeship in fire protection and Certificate III in Fire Protection CPC32820 completed after 1 January 2011
- A fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820)
- A fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820) because the applicant has also successfully completed relevant gap training competencies recognised in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia.
Practical experience:
- none required
-
Technical qualifications—complete:
The successful completion of any of the following qualifications:
- apprenticeship in fire protection and completion of a Certificate III in Fire Protection CPC32820 completed after 1 January 2011
- a fire protection apprenticeship and a qualification in fire protection completed prior to 1 January 2011 if the applicant has also completed the following units of competency:
- CPCPCM2043 – Carry out WHS requirements
- CPCPFS3046 – Test the integrity of water-based fire protection systems using pressure
- CPCPFS3047 – Test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers
- CPCPFS3037 – Install residential life safety sprinkler systems
- CPCPFS3041 – Inspect and test fire pump sets
- a fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820); or
- a fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820) because the applicant has also successfully completed relevant gap training competencies recognised in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia.
Practical experience:
- none required
-
Technical qualifications—complete either:
- apprenticeship in plumbing and Certificate III in Plumbing AND:
- CPCPFS3037 — Install residential life safety sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4021 — Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4024 — Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems.
- apprenticeship in fire protection and certificate III in Fire Protection after 1 January 2011 AND:
- CPCPFS4021 – Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4024 – Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems.
- apprenticeship and qualification in fire protection prior to 1 January 2011 AND:
- CPCPCM2043 – Carry out WHS requirements
- CPCPFS3046 – Test the integrity of water-based fire protection systems using pressure
- CPCPFS3047 – Test and maintain automatic fire sprinklers
- CPCPFS3037 – Install residential life safety sprinkler systems
- CPCPFS3041 – Inspect and test fire pumpsets
- CPCPFS4021 – Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4024 – Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems.
- A fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820) AND:
- CPCPFS4021 – Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4024 – Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems:
- A fire protection apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Fire Protection (CPC32820) because the applicant has also successfully completed relevant gap training competencies recognised in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia AND:
- CPCPFS4021 – Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems; and
- CPCPFS4024 – Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems.
Practical experience:
- none required
- apprenticeship in plumbing and Certificate III in Plumbing AND:
-
Technical qualifications—complete:
- A mechanical services apprenticeship completed in an Australian jurisdiction, and a Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services) (CPC32513)
- A mechanical services apprenticeship completed in an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed andverified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services) (CPC32513)
- A mechanical services apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services) (CPC32513)
- A mechanical services apprenticeship completed outside an Australian jurisdiction, and a qualification which has been assessed and verified by a registered training organisation as at least equivalent to a Certificate III in Plumbing (Mechanical Services) (CPC35213)because the applicant has also successfully completed relevant gap training competencies recognised in the National Register on Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia.
Practical experience:
- none required
-
Technical qualifications— complete both:
Maintaining on-site sewage facilities:
- WEP01B – Maintain and service domestic treatment plants and onsite sewerage facilities; and
- CPCPDR4013 – Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems.
Practical experience:
- at least 6 months practical experience in the work within the scope of work for the licence class.
-
Technical qualifications— complete:
Maintaining on-site sewage facilities and OSTP installation work:
- WEP01B – Maintain and service domestic treatment plants and onsite sewerage facilities; and
- CPCPDR4013 – Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems; and
- CPCPCM2043 – Carry out WHS requirements; and
- CPCPDR3023 – Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems
- BSBESB402 – Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
Practical experience:
- at least 6 months practical experience in the work within the scope of work for the licence class.
Provisional licence
If you can't meet the criteria for a full occupational licence, we may decide to grant you a provisional licence for 1 year. Scenarios where we may grant a provisional licence include:
- you have the required technical qualification, but you don't believe you have the practical experience required
- you don't have the required technical qualification, but you believe you have sufficient practical experience to carry out the work under the supervision of a licensed plumber and drainer
- you hold a current licence from interstate or another country
- you have the qualification and the practical experience for the licence, but are unable to provide your qualification or prove your experience.
A provisional licensee must not carry out plumbing or drainage work under the licensee’s provisional licence unless supervised by a person who holds a occupational licence to carry out the work.
You may apply for a full occupational licence after 1 year of holding your provisional licence with the required qualifications and 12 months supervised licensed experience.
Licence application fees
Licence fees
You have the option to pay licence fees for 1 to 5 years.
Annual administration fee
In addition to your licence fee you will need to pay an annual administration fee of $75.68.
This only needs to be paid once per financial year per licensee. If you have already applied for another plumbing and/or draining licence within the same financial year, you don’t need to pay the administration fee again.
Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges were increased in line with legislative requirements.
Fee exemptions
Individuals (not companies) who hold a QBCC plumbing or drainage related contractor, nominee supervisor and site supervisor licence are not required to pay a fee if they apply for a range of corresponding occupational licences under the Plumbing and Drainage Act. See these listed in the table below.
Application fee with admin fees
| Licence class | 1 yr | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 4 yrs | 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $232.72 | $315.61 | $398.45 | $481.29 | $564.13 |
| Drainer | $232.72 | $315.61 | $398.45 | $481.29 | $564.13 |
| Plumber & drainer—combined | $389.76 | $472.60 | $555.44 | $638.28 | $721.17 |
| Restricted licence | $172.83 | $255.67 | $338.51 | $421.35 | $504.19 |
| Provisional plumber OR provisional drainer | $148.50 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Provisional plumber & provisional drainer—combined | $221.32 | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Provisional plumber & full drainer | $305.54 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Application fee without admin fees
| Licence class | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years | 4 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $157.04 | $239.93 | $322.77 | $405.61 | $488.45 |
| Drainer | $157.04 | $239.93 | $322.77 | $405.61 | $488.45 |
| Plumber & drainer—combined | $314.08 | $396.92 | $479.76 | $562.60 | $645.49 |
| Restricted licence | $97.15 | $179.99 | $262.83 | $345.67 | $428.51 |
| Provisional plumber OR provisional drainer | $72.82 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Provisional plumber & provisional drainer—combined | $145.64 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Provisional plumber & full drainer |
$229.86 |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Fee exemptions
These exemptions apply only to Individuals (not companies) who hold a QBCC plumbing or drainage related contractor, nominee supervisor and site supervisor licence applying for a corresponding occupational licence.
| Trade licence held | Occupational licence with fee exemption |
|---|---|
|
Plumbing & drainage Plumbing & drainage restricted to plumbing Plumbing & drainage restricted to tanks—water supply |
Plumber |
|
Plumbing & drainage Drainage |
Drainer |
|
Gasfitting |
Water plumber—gas |
|
Irrigation |
Water plumber—irrigation |
|
Fire protection—water—based fire system stream—install and maintain—restricted to commercial and industrial types |
Water plumber—fire protection (hydrants and hose-reels) |
|
Fire protection—water-based fire system stream—install and maintain—restricted to commercial and industrial types |
Water plumber—fire protection (commercial & industrial types) |
|
Fire protection—water-based fire system stream—install and maintain—restricted to domestic and residential types |
Water plumber—fire protection (domestic and residential types) |
|
Drainage—on-site sewerage facility—maintenance |
Drainer—on-site sewerage facility (maintenance) |
|
Drainage—on-site sewerage facility—maintenance & installation |
Drainer—on-site sewerage facility (maintenance & installation) |
| Mechanical services—plumbing | Water plumber—water and sanitary |
How to apply
-
You will need to provide certified copies of your:
- technical qualifications
- photo identification (e.g. driver’s licence or passport).
-
Do you wish to have a photograph included on your licence card?
If yes, you will need to include one passport-style photograph with your application.
-
Download and complete the form for the licence you are applying for:
Occupational restricted—water plumber (PDF, KB)
Occupational restricted—drainer—on-site sewage facility (PDF, KB)
-
Your occupationally licensed supervisor needs to complete PART B of the application form—the declaration to confirm your practical experience in the scope of work.
-
To complete your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail — add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
-
You will need to provide as much evidence as you can that supports your eligibility for a provisional licence.
Provide certified copies of:
- any technical qualifications
- evidence of any experience gained
- your photo identification (e.g. driver’s licence or passport).
-
Do you wish to have a photograph included on your licence card?
If yes, you will need to include one passport-style photograph with your application.
-
Download and complete the form for the licence you are applying for:
Occupational restricted—water plumber (PDF, KB)
Occupational restricted—drainer—on-site sewage facility (PDF, KB)
-
To complete your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail — add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
-
We may accept applications for mutual recognition from:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New Zealand.
The QBCC may only issue a licence that is equivalent to the licence you already hold.
If your interstate or New Zealand licence is subject to a condition or restriction, the QBCC must impose the same condition on your Queensland licence.
Where there is no QBCC licence equivalent to your interstate or New Zealand licence, we will not be able to issue you a licence.
Learn more about what licences we can accept through mutual recognition.
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Your interstate licence must remain active to qualify for a QBCC licence. Be sure to renew your licence on time and pay any outstanding fines.
If your interstate licence is cancelled or suspended prior to approval of a Queensland licence, you will not be entitled to a Queensland licence under mutual recognition.
-
Gather any relevant supporting documents including:
- details of your current interstate or NZ licence
- photographic proof of your identity
- evidence you have permission to work in Queensland (citizen, visa etc.)
- evidence of partnership, company or trading names, where relevant.
If applying by mail, only provide us with certified copies of your original documents, as we cannot return them to you.
-
Mutual recognition (PDF, 123KB)
NOTE: you don't need to complete this PART B of the form when applying for a provisional licence.
-
To lodge your application you need to provide us with:
- the completed form
- all supporting documentation
- the application fee.
You can lodge the application:
- in person at a QBCC service centre and pay the fees by eftpos
- by mail — add credit or debit card details to the application form and post it to us with all supporting documentation.
What happens next?
A specialist QBCC licensing assessment officer will carefully assess your application and will contact you if they have questions about your application.
We will process your application within 20 days unless
- extra information is required
- information is missing from the application.
We will notify you if we require extra time to process your application (up to an extra 20 days).
Applicants who satisfy all of the necessary requirements will be granted a licence.
If you can’t demonstrate the full practical experience requirements, QBCC may make the decision to grant you a provisional licence.
If your application is unsuccessful we will refund you the licence fee, however we will retain the cost of processing the application.
Frequently asked questions
A provisional licence is granted to applicants who cannot provide evidence that they meet the eligibility of a full occupational licence. A provisional licence allows newly qualified apprentices and other applicants to work lawfully in the industry whilst they gain the required practical experience to eventually work without supervision.
Reasons for granting a provisional licence
A provisional licence will be granted in the following scenarios:
- you have the required technical qualification, but you don't believe you have the practical experience required
- you don't have the required technical qualification, but you believe you have sufficient practical experience to carry out the work under the supervision of a licensed plumber and drainer
- you hold a current licence from interstate or another country
- you have the qualification and the practical experience for the licence, but are unable to provide your qualification or prove your experience.
Applying for a provisional licence
When applying for a provisional licence you do not need to complete PART B of the form—the declaration of practical experience by the licensed supervisor. You will also pay a reduced fee for the year.
Cannot renew a provisional licence
A provisional licence can only be granted for 1 year and cannot be renewed.
If you have previously been granted a provisional licence and are seeking another one, you must reapply.
The QBCC will only grant the provisional licence if it is satisfied that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements for a licence of this type. The QBCC will not grant a provisional licence if you meet the legislated requirements for a full licence.
If the condition on your licence was a restriction limiting what work you can perform, you can apply to have us review it.
To apply you must:
- complete the Form 23—review of licence conditions (PDF, 128KB)
- lodge the form with us
- by mail
- in person at a service centre
- pay the relevant fee.
Find out what options you have for removing other types of conditions on your licence.
