State plumbing licensing (2026)
| State | Authority | Licence classes | Annual fee (AUD) |
|---|
| Victoria | Victorian Building Authority (VBA) | Water, sanitary, roofing, gas, mech (5 classes) | $300-$700 per class |
| New South Wales | NSW Fair Trading | Water, sanitary, roofing, gas, mech, drainage | $300-$500 per class |
| Queensland | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | Water, sanitary, roofing, gas, mech, irrigation | $250-$450 per class |
| South Australia | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | Water, sanitary, roofing, gas, mech | $200-$400 per class |
| Western Australia | Building and Energy (DMIRS) | Water, sanitary, roofing, gas, mech | $200-$400 per class |
| Tasmania | Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) | Water, sanitary, gas | $200-$350 per class |
Each state requires a separate licence application after completing the Certificate III. The application involves submitting qualification evidence, professional references, insurance details (typically AUD $5M-$20M public liability), and paying the licence fee. Some states require a separate supervisor's licence to employ other plumbers (VBA, September 2026).
Earnings and career progression (2026)
| Role | Annual (AUD) | Notes |
|---|
| 1st-year apprentice | $28,000-$35,000 | 40% of licensed plumber wage |
| 2nd-year apprentice | $36,000-$45,000 | 50% of licensed |
| 3rd-year apprentice | $45,000-$55,000 | 60% of licensed |
| 4th-year apprentice | $55,000-$70,000 | 80% of licensed |
| Licensed plumber (1-3 yrs) | $70,000-$90,000 | Employee in plumbing firm |
| Licensed plumber (3+ yrs) | $90,000-$120,000 | Senior or specialist (gas, HVAC) |
| Master plumber / business owner | $120,000-$200,000+ | Self-employed, all 5 licence classes |
| Plumbing estimator / project manager | $100,000-$140,000 | Construction industry office role |
Plumbing is one of the highest-paid trades in Australia due to chronic labour shortages, mandatory licensing, and the breadth of work (water, gas, drainage, roofing, mechanical). Specialisations in HVAC, gas fitting, or backflow prevention earn 10-20% above general plumbing rates (VBA, September 2026).
Worked example: school-leaver apprenticeship
Jake, 17, finishes Year 12 in Sydney and wants a trade. His plumbing pathway: (1) January 2026 — apply for an apprenticeship at 3-4 local plumbing firms; secure a 4-year contract with a mid-size residential plumbing firm ($28,000 starting wage); (2) February 2026 — enrol at TAFE NSW for Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420), attend 1 day/week; (3) 2026-2029 — complete on-the-job rotations (residential, commercial, drainage, gas), 4-year TAFE program, end-of-apprenticeship assessment; (4) January 2030 — receive Certificate III, apply for NSW Fair Trading plumbing licence (3 classes, $900 total); (5) February 2030 — start as a licensed plumber, $75,000-$85,000 first-year earnings; (6) 2032+ — consider master-plumber pathway (5 licence classes, business ownership) at $120,000-$200,000+. Total 4-year cost to Jake: TAFE fees ~$5,000 (subsidised), tools/uniform ~$1,500. Net 4-year earnings: ~$180,000 (VBA, NSW Fair Trading, September 2026).
Next steps
For other Australian trade licences, see our AU heavy vehicle licence guide and AU traffic controller licence guide.
Fazlur Rahman
