Building and Energy
Western Australian building services, electrical, gasfitting and plumbing industries.
- Overview
  Find out about the functions and jurisdiction of Building and Energy.
- Licensing and registration and owner-builder approval
  Application and renewal for builders, building surveyors, electricians, gas fitters, painters and plumbers.
- Building approvals
  The process for getting building work approved.
- Building and energy consumer information
  Building or renovating your home and consumer safety.
- Industry information
  Codes, standards and reports for building services providers, electricians, plumbers and gas fitters.
- Dispute resolution
  Plumbing, building service, and home building work contract complaints.
- eNotice
  How to register and lodge electrical, gasfitting, plumbing and contractor payment dispute (Security of Payment Act) eNotices.
- Stay informed
  Bulletins, newsletters, subscriptions, events and seminars, videos, and public consultations.
- Contractor Payment Disputes (Construction Contracts Act)
  If your construction contract was entered into BEFORE 1 August 2022.
- Contractor Payment Disputes (Security of Payment Act)
  If your construction contract was entered into ON or AFTER 1 August 2022.
- Swimming pools, dividing fences, RCDs and smoke alarms
  Information on private swimming pool safety barriers, dividing fences, RCDs and smoke alarms for existing residential buildings.
- Report an accident
  How to report an accident or incident to Building and Energy.
Consumer Protection
Develops, enforces and promotes legislation that protects consumers.
- About Consumer Protection
  What Consumer Protection does, contacts and events.
- Housing and accommodation
  Information on renting, buying or selling a home, including accommodation for seniors.
- Consumer rights
  Information and advice for consumers including people with a disability, Aboriginal consumers, and multilingual consumers.
- Consumer concerns
  Advice on handling issues including a complaint checklist, sample letters and how to lodge a formal complaint.
- Business
  Information for businesses about their rights and responsibilities under consumer laws in Western Australia.
- Licences and registrations
  Information on applications, requirements, training and registrations for regulated industries.
- Charities and associations
  Information for charities and associations operating in Western Australia.
- Consultations, compliance and reports
  Compliance actions, public consultations and reports.
Labour Relations
State system employment laws and public sector labour relations.
- Private sector employers and employees
  Wageline information on WA awards, minimum pay rates, long service leave, annual and personal leave, underpayment issues, and how to contact Wageline and stay informed.
- Public holidays
  Public holiday dates for Western Australia.
- Western Australia's industrial relations system
  Who is in the WA state system, key features of the state system, recent inquiries, reviews, and committees.
- Government sector labour relations
  Information and resources for agencies on government sector employment and labour relations.
- Supplier wage audit
  Information on proactive audits undertaken by Private Sector Labour Relations on suppliers to State Government.
- Building and Construction Consultative Committee
  Information on the Western Australian Building and Construction Consultative Committee.
WorkSafe
Regulation and promotion of workplace health and safety including in general industry and the mining and petroleum industries.
- Report an incident
  Notify the regulator of a death, serious injury/illness or dangerous incident.
- Notify, submit or contact us
  Notify or submit items to WorkSafe.
- Apply for a licence or register plant
  Apply for licence, register an item of plant or learn about construction induction training.
- Mining statutory positions and certificates
  Information about statutory position appointments at mining operations.
- Work health and safety legislation
  Information about WA's work health and safety (WHS) laws.
- Health and safety representatives
  Information about HSRs.
- Health and safety topics
  How do I make my workplace safer?
- Publications, resources and events
  Events, WorkSafe plan, statistics and education resources.
- Consulting with our stakeholders
  Information about consulting with stakeholders.
- Agricultural health and safety
  Provide work health and safety information about the agricultural sector including guidance, checklists, and latest news.
- What does WorkSafe do?
  Find out about the functions and jurisdiction of WorkSafe.
- Small business safety
  Your guide to safety and health in small business.
- Historical safety and health law
  Safety and health legislation prior to 2022.
Corporate
Freedom of information guidelines, reports, policies, plans, and contact information.
- About the department
  Our legislation, contacting us and freedom of information.
- About the website
  Information about our website and how to use it.
- Policies and plans
  Policies and strategic plans from the department.

Plumber

Topics

Consumer guarantee – due care and skill

What services are covered by the consumer guarantees? Services that you provide in the course of your business or professional activity, including not-for-profit services, that cost up to $100,000*, regardless of purpose or use. *post 1 July 2021 or $40,000 pre 1 July 2021 Which services are not...

Guarantees and warranties

25 Feb 2014

Consumer guarantees – business rights and responsibilities

Whether you have to provide a refund, repair, replacement or compensation to a consumer for problems with goods or services depends on whether you have met consumer guarantees set by Australian law. You are responsible for understanding your legal obligations. Australia’s consumer protection...

Guarantees and warranties

25 Feb 2014

Plumbing contractor's licence

A plumbing contractor licence authorises the holder to: carry out the plumbing work specified on the contractor’s licence; exercise general direction and control over the carrying out of authorised work by the holder of a tradesperson's licence or a provisional tradesperson’s licence; supervise the...

Initial grant of licence

21 Feb 2014

Plumbers licensing – overview

Western Australia’s system for regulating plumbing work protects consumers and the community by ensuring that only suitably qualified people who hold plumbers licences granted by the Plumbers Licensing Board are legally entitled to carry out plumbing work. Corporate entities such as companies and...

Initial grant of licence

21 Feb 2014

Plumbers' technical notes

Technical notes on plumbing industry topics are issued to assist licensed plumbers to comply with the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 (the Regulations) applicable to water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work in Western Australia. Each technical note is to be read...

Technical advice

19 Feb 2014

Compliance reports

Building disputes Building disputes monthly reports These reports provide an overview of the number and type of complaints received, average time taken to close and the decisions/outcomes achieved for the month. View all monthly reports Disputes (building service or home building work contract...

Compliance and audit

19 Feb 2014

Building and Energy licence search

Building and Energy protects the community by setting standards and ensuring contractors have the skills, experience and financial capacity to deliver quality building services. It is illegal for an individual, partnership or company to contract for or carry out a building service without first...

Licensing search

15 Jan 2014

Having plumbing work done

WATCH

Only a plumber who holds a licence issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board can legally carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work in Western Australia. Licensing plumbers reduces risks to public health, safety and the environment by ensuring they are competent and sufficiently...

Having plumbing work done

13 Jan 2014

Building service and home building work contract complaints

As part of its function, Building and Energy provides an avenue for both consumers and builders to resolve disputes relating to the carrying out of regulated building services and home building work contracts. These services are provided to parties as an alternative to the commencement of court...

Building complaints

07 Jan 2014

Plumbing Industry Reference Group

Background The Plumbing Industry Reference Group (PIRG) is an advisory body providing expert advice to the Plumbers Licensing (Board) on a range of plumbing and occupational licensing matters, including the licensing regulations, the education and training of plumbers, and the technical plumbing...

Boards

06 Jan 2014

Publications

CCA Annual Report 2017–18

READ

Report of the Building Commissioner for the financial year to 30 June 2018. Construction Contracts Act 2004

Building and Energy

Reports

12 Dec 2018

Building Focus Issue 1

Building Focus newsletter brings you the latest news for the building, building surveying and painting industries and replaces the Building Commission News. Building Focus Issue 1 Click here to view...

Building and Energy

Newsletter

10 Dec 2018

Final Report – Security of Payment Reform in the WA Building and Construction Industry

READ

On 23 February 2018, the Minister announced the establishment of the IAG, as a means of facilitating consultation with key industry stakeholders on measures to improve security of payment for...

Building and Energy

Reports

11 Dec 2018

Energy and Plumbing Focus Issue 1

Energy and Plumbing Focus newsletter brings you the latest news for the electrical, gas and plumbing industries and replaces the Energy Bulletin and Building Commission News. Energy and Plumbing...

Building and Energy

Newsletter

19 Jul 2019

Application to modify or set aside plumbing standards (form)

READ

Application form to modify or set aside plumbing standards.

Building and Energy

Form – application

05 Nov 2018

Written Notice of Equivalent Occupation - Electrical, Plumbing, and Gas

READ

Use this form to apply in writing for mutual recognition of your licence if you are working as a plumber, electrician, or gasfitter.

Building and Energy

Form – application

11 Apr 2023

eNotice – Terms and conditions

READ

Building and Energy

Fact sheet

19 Jul 2019

Plumbing eNotice fact sheet

READ

What is eNotice? eNotice is a web based facility for the electronic lodgement of Notices of intention and Certificates of compliance for plumbing work (excluding multi-entry). Please note: From 1...

Building and Energy

Fact sheet

17 Apr 2019

Guidance note – Applications to modify or set aside plumbing standards

READ

What is an application to modify or set aside plumbing standards in Western Australia? A licensed plumbing contractor is able to lodge an application on the approved form together with the payment of...

Building and Energy

Guidance note

12 Sep 2018

Best practice guidance for reducing health risk for workers handling sewage, biosolids or recycled water

READ

This fact sheet has been prepared by the Department of Health and the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety to provide information and best practice guidance for organisations...

WorkSafe

Fact sheet

04 Dec 2023

Announcements

Auditor General’s report: Regulation of builders and building surveyors

A report by Auditor General Colin Murphy has assessed how well the Building Commission regulates Western Australia’s residential building industry.

Building and Energy

Department News

24 Jun 2016

World Plumbing Day, Friday 11 March 2016

World Plumbing Day is an international event that was launched seven years ago by the World Plumbing Council, and is now held every year on 11 March. On this day, government, industry and the community come together to celebrate all things plumbing, and recognise the important role plumbers play in protecting public health and safety, as well as the environment. Plumbing is vital to global health...

Building and Energy

Department News

08 Mar 2016

Building and plumbing feature in Red Tape Reduction Report Card

Red tape reforms set to save West Australians at least $150 million during the next five years have been revealed in the State's inaugural Red Tape Reduction Report Card.

Building and Energy

Department News

17 Nov 2015

Changes to notification requirements for drainage plumbing work

On 1 August 2015 the Plumbers Licensing Board will amend the way in which plumbers must give notice that drainage plumbing work is ready to be inspected.

Building and Energy

Department News

31 Jul 2015

New versions AS/NZS 3500, Parts 1 and 2

On 1 July 2015 Standards Australia published new 2015 versions of AS/NZS 3500, Part 1 Water services and Part 2 Sanitary plumbing and drainage. As of 1 May 2015 the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) is the primary document that sets the plumbing standards in Western Australia and the AS/NZS 3500:2003, Parts 1, 2 and 4 are called up as Deemed-to-Satisfy referenced documents in the PCA. It should be...

Building and Energy

Department News

30 Jul 2015

Free information session and morning tea for plumbers (Broome)

The Building Commission is conducting a seminar for plumbers in Broome as part of its 2015 Regional Roadshow. Location: The Mecure, Broome Date and time: Thursday 7 May 2015, 9.00am–12.00pm Cost: Free Participants are welcome to join either or both of the sessions outlined below: 9.00–10.30am Plumbers technical information session Presented by Mike Read, Senior Plumbing Technical Officer This...

Building and Energy

Department News

20 Apr 2015

Have you registered for the free online NCC?

The National Construction Code 2015 (NCC) is provided as a preview of requirements that will be adopted on 1 May 2015 and it's now available online for FREE!

Building and Energy

Department News

13 Apr 2015

Reforms for building and plumbing industries

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin has announced a package of regulatory reforms to help Western Australia’s building and plumbing industries save money and work more efficiently.

Building and Energy

Department News

31 Mar 2015

Thank you plumbers!

Wednesday 11 March is World Plumbing Day. Initiated by the World Plumbing Council and celebrated annually, this international event raises awareness of the important role of the plumbing industry in protecting public health and safety and the environment.

Building and Energy

Department News

11 Mar 2015

Building a risk-based regulatory environment

The implementation of Western Australia’s new building laws was the first step towards moving our state towards a risk-based system of building regulation.

Building and Energy

Department News

15 Apr 2014

Public, consumers and employees

Business, corporate and industry

Online Services

Apply

Renew

Notify

Complaints

Pay

Licence search

Search:

Plumber

Topics

Pages

Publications

Pages

Announcements

Pages

Need assistance?

Website feedback

Australian Business Number