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.
- Consumer Justice Strategy 2021-25
  Legislative reforms, policy development, and strategic priorities for consumer protection and fair trading in WA.
- Consumer complaints
  Advice on handling issues including a complaint checklist, sample letters and how to lodge a formal complaint.
- COVID-19 coronavirus FAQ
  Information on your rights regarding housing and accommodation, goods and services, events and travel.
- 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.
- 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.
- DMIRS COVID-19 coronavirus
  Information for employers and employees
- Private sector employers and employees
  Wageline information on WA awards, minimum pay rates, long service leave, annual and personal leave, underpayment issues, COVID-19, and how to contact Wageline and stay informed.
- Government sector labour relations
  Information and resources for agencies on government sector employment and labour relations.
- 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.
- Changes to state employment laws
  Information on 2022 changes to state employment laws in Western Australia.
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.
- Work health and safety legislation
  Information about WA's work health and safety (WHS) laws.
- Health and safety representatives
  Information about HSRs.
- What does WorkSafe do?
  Find out about the functions and jurisdiction of WorkSafe.
- Work Health and Safety Commission
  Information about Western Australia's peak safety and health body.
- Historical occupational safety and health law
  Safety and health legislation prior to 2022.
- Health and safety topics
  How do I make my workplace safer?
- Historical mines and petroleum guidance
  Safety and health guidance under the legislation prior to 2022.
- Tool box
  Events, statistics and educational resources.
- Small business safety
  Your guide to safety and health in small business.
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

Plumbing inspections and investigations

Introduction Plumbing compliance is monitored and enforced by the Plumbers Licensing Board (the Board) through the designation of plumbing compliance officers employed within the Plumbing Inspectorate for the Building and Energy division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety...

Responsibilities

10 Sep 2020

Look for the WaterMark

WATCH

Have you checked if the products you are buying or installing are certified for use in Australia? In Australia most plumbing and drainage products must be WaterMark certified. The WaterMark Certification Scheme is a mandatory national scheme for plumbing and drainage products to ensure they are fit...

Responsibilities

18 Aug 2020

COVID-19 relief package – temporary waiver of plumbers’ fees

On 31 March 2020, the Western Australian Government announced a $1 billion COVID-19 health and economic relief package to support Western Australian small and medium-sized businesses. The package included waiving a significant number of fees for 12 months to help businesses survive the economic...

Online licensing services

04 Jun 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Industry specific information

The following information has been developed to assist employers and employees meet their safety and health obligations. Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety Public transport including taxis and rideshare services - Minimising the risk of exposure to COVID-19 Working from home Safe...

COVID 19 - Coronavirus

09 Apr 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - looking after your mental health

The following information has been developed for employers and employees looks at ways to look after your mental health during this challenging time. COVID-19 coronavirus guide for employers: Looking after your mental health COVID-19 coronavirus guide for employees: Looking after your mental health...

COVID 19 - Coronavirus

08 Apr 2020

What to do if a worker has COVID-19

Safe Work Australia has created an easy to follow infographic to advise workplaces on the steps they should take if a worker comes down with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

COVID 19 - Coronavirus

07 Apr 2020

Building and Energy Covid-19 safety advice

Industry practitioners would be well aware that the Government of Western Australia has declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. There are now Directions under the Public Health Act and the Emergency Management Act on various topics e.g...

Covid-19 safety information

06 Apr 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Frequently asked questions

This page contains frequently asked questions on COVID-19. Is physical distancing required at work? Appropriate physical distancing measures will depend on the workplace, work activities being conducted and the risks, and may include: Providing information to workers on physical distancing...

COVID 19 - Coronavirus

03 Apr 2020

Vaping - Frequently asked questions

This page contains frequently asked questions about vaping. Is vaping hazardous? Yes, vaping can be hazardous. The nature of the hazard will depend upon factors such as the liquid used in the e-cigarette and the health status of the individual. In 2019, there were 2290 cases of lung injury...

Smoking

14 Feb 2020

Reporting minor plumbing work completed on or after 1 January 2020

Licensed plumbing contractors (LPCs) are required to maintain a record of all minor plumbing work they complete on or after 1 January 2020. This replaces the requirement to submit a certificate of compliance for minor plumbing work (known as a multi-entry certificate). It is the responsibility of...

Certificates and diagrams

05 Dec 2019

Publications

PLB policy - Refund of plumbers fees

READ

Building and Energy

Policies

16 Jul 2020

Decision Paper: Remote Aboriginal communities plumbing scheme 2020

READ

Building and Energy

Discussion paper

01 Jul 2020

Drainage plumbing diagrams FAQs

READ

Building and Energy

Guidance note

11 Jun 2020

Mentally healthy workplaces - Podcasts and videos

LISTEN

The department's mental health and wellbeing inspectors have developed a series of resources on workplace mental health and wellbeing. The concepts presented may assist workplaces to discuss, consult...

WorkSafe

Information

15 Jun 2021

Plumbers Technical Note - The Plumbing Code of Australia

READ

The National Construction Code (NCC) consists of three volumes, one and two contain the technical requirements for the construction of all classes of buildings in Australia. Volume three is the...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

08 Jun 2020

Building and construction: Minimising the risk from COVID-19

The Western Australian work health and safety laws require Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) to take care of the safety and health of their workers and others at the workplace...

WorkSafe

Guide / handbook

13 Sep 2022

COVID-19 coronavirus guide for workers: Looking after your mental health

While it is reasonable to be concerned about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, there are a number of actions you can take to look after your mental health during this challenging time. Access...

WorkSafe

Information

16 Sep 2022

COVID-19 coronavirus guidance for PCBUs: Looking after worker mental health

It is reasonable for workers to experience increased worry, anxiety and stress about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Managing the risk to mental health during this time means workers will have...

WorkSafe

Information

13 Sep 2022

What to do if a worker has COVID-19

READ

Safe Work Australia has created an easy to follow infographic to advise workplaces on the steps they should take if a worker comes down with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

WorkSafe

Information

23 Sep 2021

Industry Bulletin 125 – New standards for plumbing services to survey strata lot developments commence operation

READ

This industry bulletin has been issued to inform the Western Australian plumbing and building industries of new requirements when providing plumbing services to each lot on a survey strata scheme...

Building and Energy

Bulletin

17 Aug 2020

Announcements

Health warning for DIY toilet hoses

Western Australia’s plumbing regulator is warning homeowners about the health risks of DIY installation of toilet hygiene spray hoses, which should only be fitted by a licensed plumber. The alert from Building and Energy follows a rise in sales of the flexible douche hoses in the wake of toilet paper shortages and a focus on cleanliness due to COVID-19 coronavirus. Hygiene spray hoses for toilets...

Building and Energy

Media release

09 Apr 2020

DMIRS planning for impact of COVID-19

While the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is changing rapidly, we remain focussed on delivering our services while adhering to advice from Government to protect the health and safety of our staff and the wider community. The department is planning for a range of scenarios and endeavouring to ensure continuity of service. A number of functions can be performed remotely or by using our online...

Corporate

Department News

23 Mar 2020

Free seminars for plumbers and builders

**PLEASE NOTE THAT MANY OF THESE EVENTS HAVE NOW BEEN CANCELLED** Plumbers and other building industry participants are invited to free metropolitan and regional information sessions presented by the State Government’s Building and Energy team this month. One series of seminars will outline new requirements for plumbing at survey strata lot developments. “Plumbers, builders and developers will...

Building and Energy

Media release

11 Mar 2020

Coronavirus - What can be done to reduce risks from a viral outbreak such as COVID 19

Under OSH legislation, employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as is practicable, a working environment in which their workers are not exposed to health risks. This includes situations where employees and contractors may be at risk of contracting viruses such as the COVID-19 coronavirus. Employers need to keep up to date with the latest health warnings from the Australian and WA...

WorkSafe

Alert

10 Mar 2020

Progress of the Work Health and Safety Bill 2019

On Thursday 20 February, the Work Health and Safety Bill 2019 passed through the Legislative Assembly of the Western Australian Parliament. The Hon Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum and Industrial Relations said: “I am pleased that the Work Health and Safety Bill has now passed the Legislative Assembly. “The McGowan Government recognises the importance of these reforms and hopes...

WorkSafe

Department News

25 Feb 2020

Office hours – December and January

Our offices will be closed from Wednesday 25 December 2019 to Wednesday 1 January 2020. Normal services will return on Thursday 2 January 2020. For urgent enquiries please visit our contact page.

Corporate

Department News

04 Dec 2019

ABCB online survey – Developing Performance Solutions

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has today released an online survey regarding the inclusion of mandatory requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC) for the development of Performance Solutions. You have been invited to complete the survey in order to help inform the development of draft NCC provisions for public consultation and the associated regulation impact analysis. The...

Building and Energy

Department News

13 Sep 2019

Licensing of plumbing apprentices and contractors’ obligations in the transition process

It has come to the attention of the Plumbers Licensing Board (the Board) that in a small number of cases plumbing apprentices who have completed their apprenticeships, and obtained the appropriate qualifications to apply for a plumbing tradespersons licence are continuing to work in the industry without obtaining the required licence to do so. This results in the former apprentice effectively...

Building and Energy

Department News

26 Aug 2019

Changes to Water Corporation asset protection documentation

The Water Corporation advises that a number of important enhancements have been made to asset protection documentation. The changes address safety issues for working on or near assets and clarify a number of ambiguities in the previous documentation. Impacted documents and key changes include: Technical Guidelines for working near Water Corporation Assets Inclusion of a requirement for serious...

Building and Energy

Department News

22 Jul 2019

Building regulator measures up

Home owners can be reassured that WA’s building regulator is taking action on standards, compliance and dispute resolution across the industry, according to retiring Building Commissioner Ken Bowron. Mr Bowron leaves Building and Energy (formerly the Building Commission and Energy Safety ) today after 10 years, including 18 months at the helm of the combined division within the Department of...

Building and Energy

Media release

14 Jun 2019

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