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Unregulated plumbing—guide

Most plumbing work undertaken in Queensland is regulated and requires a QBCC licensed plumber or drainer to undertake the work. This is to protect the community's health and safety. 

However there is some plumbing work that is unregulated and can be done by anyone with the appropriate knowledge and level of skills.

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DIY plumbing shower head

Unregulated plumbing work

You don't need to be licensed under the current plumbing laws to undertake unregulated plumbing work, nor do you need approval by the QBCC or local government or report it.

You still need to ensure that the work still meets the minimum standards of work under the legislation and codes.

Examples of unregulated plumbing work

Unregulated work includes:

  • replacing a shower head or domestic water filter cartridge
  • replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap
  • repairing or replacing a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber in a toilet cistern
  • replacing caps to ground level inspection openings on a sanitary drain
  • cleaning or maintaining a ground-level grate for a trap on a sanitary drain
  • installing or maintaining an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from a tap, isolating valve or backflow prevention device on the supply pipe for the watering system
  • repairing or maintaining an irrigation system for the disposal of effluent from a greywater use facility or on-site sewage facility
  • incidental unskilled tasks (e.g. excavating or backfilling a trench).

Consumers can still engage a licensed plumber or drainer to undertake this work.

Learn more about which plumbing work is regulated in Queensland and must be performed by a licensed contractor.


Last reviewed: 15 Sep 2021 Last published: 15 Sep 2021
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