Plumber, drainer and gasfitter licence

Each licence occupation and class has different scopes of work and may be subject to conditions. You need to know your occupation and class before applying.

Plumber licence classes

Note: No class of plumbing licence is automatically authorised to perform backflow prevention testing. Find out how to apply for a backflow prevention testing endorsement.

Drainer licence classes

Gasfitter licence classes

Other plumber, drainer, gasfitter licences and endorsements

Corporation or partnership licence

If a corporation or partnership wants to provide or advertise plumbing, draining, or gas fitting services in the ACT, it will need a licence. For more information, see corporation or partnership licence.

Plumber, drainer, gasfitter licence endorsements

Endorsements are ‘additions’ to a licence and are required if you want to undertake the below work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a licence or endorsement, you need to meet relevant mandatory qualifications outlined in the Construction Occupations (Licensing) (Qualifications) Declaration and the Gas Safety Act 2000.

Where multiple methods are listed for a particular licence class, you are only required to meet one of the methods listed.

Interstate licence holders

You may be able to apply for an ACT licence if you're already licensed in another state or territory. Find out more about mutual recognition.

Applying for a licence

Step 1 – Gather required evidence to support your application

• Evidence of your training qualification/s (Certificate and Transcript)
• Evidence of your course enrolment (if required)
• Evidence of your experience (if required)
• Letter of need (if required)
• A criminal history check.

Access Canberra will not accept checks that are more than 6 months old.

Step 2 – Start your application

• Apply for a new licence via the Construction Licence Application - Plumber, Drainer, Gasfitter and Gas Appliance Worker.
• pay the application fee. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Note: you can start an online application and save it to return to later. Your application won’t be submitted until the documents are lodged and the fee is paid.

Step 3 – Assessment

Once submitted, your application will be assessed to ensure you meet:

• Fit and proper person requirements
• Qualification and experience requirements.

Step 4 – Decision

Once the assessment of your application is complete you will either be offered a licence, or your application will be refused.

Please note, you may be offered a licence with conditions restricting the scope of works that can be undertaken under your licence.

If you are offered a licence you will need to pay a licence term fee of either 1 or 3 years. Fees are determined by the Fee Determination for the relevant financial year.

Note: It will take up to 7 days for your licence to be published on the public register after your licence term fee is paid, and up to 21 days for a licence card to be printed and sent to you.

Timeframe

Access Canberra triages plumber, drainer, gasfitter licence applications and prioritises applicants who have completed their apprenticeship and have applied within 2 weeks of receiving their training certificate.

For the prioritised applicants, the assessment of your application will take three weeks.

If your application is incomplete, or we need more information or verification, the assessment will take more time. Requests for more information will be sent to you via email.

Assessments of applications will not be fast tracked in any circumstances.

Your responsibilities

As a plumber, drainer, gasfitter licensee you are responsible for:

• complying with your obligations under the legislative framework
• undertaking work in a proper and skilful way
• rectifying issues that may arise with the quality of your work
• understanding the requirements for insurances, contracts and other obligations.

Further information can be found on the licence responsibilities page.