Working as a Plumber you will install, maintain and repair plumbing equipment associated with heating, cooling, water distribution and sanitation systems in residential and commercial buildings. You will perform preventative maintenance inspections, evaluate and comply with local and national regulations.

Summary of Training

  • Work safely at heights
  • Carry out interactive workplace communication
  • Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials
  • Work effectively in the plumbing services sector
  • Carry out WHS requirements
  • Handle and store plumbing materials
  • Use plumbing hand and power tools
  • Carry out levelling
  • Cut and join sheet metal
  • Carry out simple concreting and rendering
  • Work safely on roofs
  • Flash penetrations through roofs and walls
  • Weld polymer pipes using fusion method
  • Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping
  • Prepare simple drawings
  • Install trench support
  • Locate and clear blockages
  • Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site
  • Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers
  • Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems
  • Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems
  • Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems
  • Install gas pressure control equipment
  • Install gas appliance flues
  • Purge consumer piping
  • Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances
  • Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances
  • Size and install consumer gas piping systems
  • Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres
  • Install and commission Type A gas appliances
  • Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks
  • Install discharge pipes
  • Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply
  • Set out and install water services
  • Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices
  • Install water pumpsets
  • Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls
  • Install backflow prevention devices
  • Collect and store roof water
  • Fabricate and install roof drainage systems
  • Fabricate and install external flashings
  • Install roof components
  • Provide First Aid
  • Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding
  • Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres
  • Cut mild steel using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment
  • Install residential life safety sprinkler systems
  • Set out, install and commission irrigation systems
  • Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment
  • Install property service
  • Enter and work in confined spaces
  • Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces
  • Maintain Type A gas appliances
  • Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8 kl
  • Install LPG systems in marine craft
  • Plan layout and install vacuum drainage systems
  • Install pre-treatment facilities
  • Install sewerage pumpsets

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

This Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive page

Additionally, this Australian Apprenticeship occupation may attract incentives under the Australian Government's New Energy Apprenticeships Program. For more information contact an Apprenticeship Network provider, call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73, or look at the Australian Apprenitceships Incentives page.

Job Pathways

Construction, Plumbing and Services

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This occupation fits generally with these groupings

Industry Group
Construction & Electrical

Work Type
Conventional & Organising
Manual & Realistic

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 27397

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Plumber - CPC32420
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths 48 mths
Part Time
Commencements 1620 2515 870 405 355 70 125 35
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

Next Steps

Who to contact next ...

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Where to ask wages questions ...

The Fair Work Ombudsman is the source of information on wages across industries and occupations. The FWO provides apprenticeship and traineeship specific information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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