What Plumbing Can I Do Without A License?

Gillespie Plumbing • March 15, 2022

When your plumbing is playing up and money is tight, it can be tempting to attempt a DIY fix. Alongside causing additional problems if you get it wrong, this may also be illegal as plumbing is a licensed trade in Australia. The list of DIY plumbing jobs you can do without a licence includes:

Replacing taps and showerheads
Drain clearing using a plunger or drain snake
Connecting washing machine hose
Cleaning and maintaining external drain traps and grates
Connecting residential water filters
Replacing tap washers and sanitary drain opening caps
Replace drop valve washer in toilet
Clear a blocked gutter or downpipe
Turning water supply on and off
Check the water meter

Whilst the list of unlicensed plumbing jobs you can complete is limited, there is still plenty you can do yourself before needing to call in a qualified plumber.

What DIY plumbing is considered illegal?

According to The Australian Plumbing Code, any work to sewer or drinking water systems must be carried out by a qualified plumber. This prevents the unlicensed DIY-er from completing a lot of plumbing jobs by themselves without breaking the law. Jobs that must be carried out by a licensed plumber include:

Managing on-site wastewater systems
Issues involving sanitary drainage/sewage
Managing stormwater drainage systems
Issues involving drinking water, hot water or laundry systems
Managing heating & ventilation systems
Installing new appliances

Do plumbing regulations differ by state?

Across Australia's states and territories, plumbing regulations do vary. For example, waterproofing your own bathroom is fine in Victoria, however, it is illegal to do so without a licence in Queensland and New South Wales. Before carrying out any DIY plumbing work, it's important to check the regulations for your area:

Queensland
New South Wales
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory

What are the consequences of disregarding the plumbing laws in your state?

If you choose to disregard the plumbing laws in your state and undertake unlicensed work, you are breaking the law and risk facing legal consequences. This impacts both you and your property and can include:

Appliance warranty can be voided
Inability to claim any damages caused on insurance
Cost of repairing any damage
A minimum $32,000 fine as outlined in the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
Difficulty and delays in selling a property with unlicensed plumbing work

If your plumbing requires work by a licensed plumber, they can provide you with a compliance certificate to prove the legality of the work and prevent action from being taken against you in the future.

When should I call in a licensed plumber?

Although it is possible to carry out some minor DIY repairs on your plumbing system, as outlined above, it is inevitable that at some point you are likely to need a qualified plumber. You will need to call in a licensed professional if:

Your water is murky or smells
Your toilet is overflowing and a plunger/drain snake hasn't worked
You require a new appliance to be installed
You have found a leak
A pipe has burst
You have no hot water
Water is backing up from your drains or grates
Your plumbing is making unusual noises
Your roof plumbing requires maintenance

Licensed plumbers Grafton

If you are based in Grafton or the surrounding areas and require a licensed plumber to carry out work on your property, get in touch with Gillespie Plumbing today. With over 20 years of experience serving residential and commercial clients across the region, we are the licensed plumbers Grafton residents can rely on.