Plumbers and painters
Information on the benefits of using a licensed plumber or painter
Plumbers
Under the plumber licensing regulations, an appropriate plumber's licence is required to carry out water supply, sanitary and/or drainage plumbing work anywhere in Western Australia. Roof plumbing and storm water drainage can be performed without the need for a licence.
There are two classes of licence that allow a person to carry out plumbing work, as defined by the licensing regulations in Western Australia outlined below.
1. Plumbers' licence - authorises the holder to:
- carry out plumbing work;
- exercise general direction and control over holders of a tradesperson's licence who are carrying out plumbing work; and
- supervise an apprentice when carrying out plumbing work.
2. Tradesperson's licence - authorises the holder, under the general direction and control of the holder of a plumber's licence, to:
- carry out plumbing work; and
- supervise the carrying out of plumbing work by an apprentice.
Case study
Juanita and Gary decided to personally supervise the building of their two-storey home. They confirmed that the plumber they were thinking of using was properly licensed by ringing the Plumbers' Licensing Board on 9282 0478.
When their home was finished, they had hardly unpacked when they noticed that the second floor had an unpleasant smell. It turned out that the smell was due to a vent on the drain for the second storey bathroom being too close to a window.
Juanita and Gary tried to get the plumber to come back and move the vent, but he refused. Juanita and Gary wrote a letter of complaint to The Plumbers' Licensing Board. After investigation of the matter by an inspector, the plumber was directed to move the vent.
Painters
Painters who are registered have proved to the Painters Registration Board their competence to operate in the industry. All persons carrying out painting or wall-paperhanging work in excess of $200 in value are required to be registered. Penalties are provided for non-compliance with this requirement.
By doing so, the consumer can feel assured that the painter has established his/her competence. Also, in the event of problems arising, the Board can almost certainly make contact with and exercise effective control over a registered painter. This is often much more difficult when an unregistered painter is involved.
All currently registered painters are issued with identification cards. This has a twofold effect in that it provides the consumer with the knowledge that they are dealing with a registered painter and it protects registered painters by going a long way towards reducing the amount of unregistered painting activity.
Contact information
For plumbers
- - the Plumbers Licensing Board
For painters