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.
- 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.
- 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?
- Tool box
  Events, statistics and educational 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 occupational safety and health law
  Safety and health legislation prior to 2022.
- Historical mines and petroleum guidance
  Safety and health guidance under the 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

National Police History Check – A change to plumbers' licence renewal process

Frequently asked questions The Plumbers Licensing Board has improved powers regarding the way plumbers are licensed and how plumbing standards are enforced. In particular, the capacity to reassess applicants fitness for a licence at each renewal. The term “fitness” elates to a person’s character...

Online licensing services

21 Apr 2016

Building services audits program

The building services Acts and the plumbing regulations set out obligations that registered service providers and licensed plumbing contractors must adhere to. These obligations are set out in the fact sheets below: Obligations for licensed plumbing contractors Obligations for registered building...

Compliance and audit

07 Jan 2016

Do I need to be licensed as a plumber?

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...

Responsibilities

19 Nov 2015

Application to modify or set aside plumbing standards

Under Regulation 54 of the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000, the Plumbers’ Licensing Board may: declare that a specified plumbing standard does not apply to specified plumbing work or specified plumbing; or modify in a specified way a plumbing standard that applies to...

Responsibilities

04 Jun 2015

Plumbers reissue

If you were previously licensed as a plumber you will not need to provide evidence of your qualifications and experience to the Plumbers’ Licensing Board . You will still need to demonstrate to the Board that you are suitable to be reissued and will need to complete the reissue application form...

Reissue

18 May 2015

Licensed plumbing contractor obligations – A guide

A guide to licence, notification and certification obligations under the Regulations and the compliance audit program, including: General licence obligations Notification and certification obligations New fixture fees Drainage plumbing inspection notifications Minor plumbing work Multi-entry...

Responsibilities

12 Feb 2015

Provisional tradesperson’s licence (drainage plumbing)

Regulations made under the Plumbers Licensing Act 1995 set out the licensing requirements for a provisional tradesperson’s licence (drainage plumbing). Who needs a provisional tradesperson’s licence (drainage plumbing) A person undertaking plumbing work must hold a licence or permit. The...

Overseas applicants

29 Jan 2015

Restricted plumbing permit

Restricted plumbing permits allow eligible gasfitters and electricians to disconnect, remove, install and connect a compression union, a temperature/pressure relief valve or an expansion control valve in the course of removing, reinstalling and or replacing a water heater on a strictly like-for-...

Initial grant of licence

30 Dec 2014

Replacement of lost/stolen/damaged plumbing licence

How to apply for a replacement of your lost, stolen or damaged plumbing licence Applying for a replacement of your plumbing licence can be done using the online reprint service. How does it work? To use the reprint service you will need to know your licence number which can be found on the front of...

Online licensing services

01 Sep 2014

How to lodge your renewal application

How to lodge your plumbing renewal application An application to renew a plumbing licence or permit can only be made within the ‘renewal period’, which begins 12 weeks before the expiry date, and ends 28 days after the expiry date. To lodge your renewal application online, you will need: Your...

Online licensing services

29 Aug 2014

Publications

Plumbers' Technical Note – Inspection shaft, gully and trap risers

READ

This technical note provides advice on the correct configuration of vertical risers used for inspection purposes as well as risers from gully and fixture traps. This is a requirement of the Plumbing...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

30 May 2019

Plumbers' Technical Note – Inspection openings for drainage

READ

This technical note has been issued to clarify the requirements for the installation of inspection openings on drainage plumbing systems in Western Australia.

Building and Energy

Technical standards

30 May 2019

Plumbers' Technical Note – Connection of condensate waste to sanitary plumbing and drainage systems

READ

This technical note provides clarification on the requirements for connecting condensate from refrigerated air conditioners, cabinets, sterilizers, autoclaves and similar appliances to sanitary or...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

30 May 2019

Plumbers' Technical Note – Pumping apparatus and venting

READ

This technical note has been issued to clarify the venting requirements for pumping apparatus including the connected drains, branch drains and fixture discharge pipes as listed in AS/NZS 3500.2:2018...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

28 May 2019

Plumbers' Technical Note – Services to survey strata lots

READ

This technical note has been issued to advise the plumbing industry about the current situation when providing live or dormant water and sewerage connections to houses or buildings on survey strata...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

27 May 2019

Plumbers' Technical Note – Overflow relief gullies and reflux valves

READ

This technical note has been published to clarify the requirements for overflow relief gullies and that the installation of a reflux valve does not remove these requirements.

Building and Energy

Technical standards

20 May 2019

Plumbers Technical Note – Multi-unit developments

READ

Building and Energy

Technical standards

14 May 2019

Plumbers Technical Note – Vacuum sewers

READ

This technical note has been issued to provide advice to the Western Australian plumbing industry about the connection of main drains into vacuum sewer systems. In areas where vacuum sewer systems...

Building and Energy

Technical standards

23 Aug 2019

Industry Bulletin 115 – Plumbing Code of Australia 2019, AS/NZS 3500 and plumbing regulations update

READ

This industry bulletin has been issued to inform the Western Australian plumbing industry of changes coming into effect from 1 May 2019. The changes apply to the following legislation: Plumbers...

Building and Energy

Bulletin

12 Apr 2019

Industry Bulletin 112 – New Installation fee

READ

This bulletin is to clarify the requirements of the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000, regulation 45 and Schedule 1.

Building and Energy

Bulletin

21 Mar 2019

Announcements

Commissioner's Blog: Upselling could land plumbers in hot water

Update (26 March 2018): In response to enquiries from plumbers, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page has been published. With Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Plumbers could find themselves in hot water if they go to a home to carry out one job but end up taking payment for more than they were called out for. A 10 business day cooling-off period applies to any approach from...

Consumer Protection

Media release

07 Mar 2018

Improving security of payment for subcontractors gets approval

The WA Government has announced a review to improve security of payments for subcontractors in Western Australia's building and construction industry, and the establishment of an Industry Advisory Group (IAG).

Building and Energy

Department News

23 Feb 2018

Welcome to Building and Energy

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has now formally merged the operations of the former Building Commission and Energy Safety to form the new Building and Energy Division. Ken Bowron will lead the Building and Energy team. He holds the statutory positions of the Building Commissioner and the Director of Energy Safety. Building and Energy oversees the regulation of...

Building and Energy

Department News

30 Jan 2018

Question mark over builder’s status results in suspension

Building Commissioner Ken Bowron has suspended Choiceliving (WA) Pty Ltd’s (BC101237) building contractor registration due to concerns about the company’s financial status.

Building and Energy

Media release

25 Jan 2018

Fine puts Karrinyup plumber on notice

Karrinyup licensed plumbing contractor Joseph Travaglini (PL5037) has been fined $1,000 by the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB) for failing to submit the notifications and certifications required for plumbing work.

Building and Energy

Media release

25 Jan 2018

$5,000 fine for false information

A Bennett Springs man who provided false and misleading information in an attempt to become a registered builder has been prosecuted by the Building Commissioner.

Building and Energy

Media release

02 Jan 2018

Opportunities to inform reforms are in the pipeline

A report released by ACIL Allen Consulting in February 2014 contained 51 recommendations broadly aimed at making Western Australia’s plumbing laws more modern and responsive to the changing needs of the industry.

Building and Energy

Department News

06 Dec 2017

Builder’s false information results in no registration and fine

A Maddington builder who provided incorrect and misleading information to become registered has been fined $5,000 and his request to cancel his registration has been accepted by the Building Services Board.

Building and Energy

Media release

05 Dec 2017

Thornlie plumber audited, fined $2,000

Thornlie licensed plumbing contractor Andrew William Jones (PL588) has been fined $2,000 by the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB) for failing to submit the notifications and certifications required for plumbing work.

Building and Energy

Media release

20 Nov 2017

Padbury plumber fined for lack of lodgement

Padbury licensed plumbing contractor Lewis Leonard Darby (PL8389) has been fined $1,500 by the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB) for failing to submit the notifications and certifications required for plumbing work.

Building and Energy

Media release

20 Nov 2017

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