Regulations made under the Plumbers Licensing Act 1995 set out the licensing requirements for a provisional tradesperson’s licence.
Who needs a provisional tradesperson’s licence
The provisional tradesperson’s licence enables a plumber from a country other than Australia or New Zealand to undertake plumbing work in Western Australia for up to a year while completing Australian context gap training. It is expected that the holder of a provisional tradesperson’s licence will complete a Certificate III in Plumbing or a Certificate in Migrant Plumbing to become eligible for a full tradesperson’s licence.
A person with a provisional tradesperson’s licence is authorised to carry out plumbing work under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or the holder of a tradesperson’s licence.
Eligibility for a provisional tradesperson’s licence
To be eligible for a provisional tradesperson’s licence you must hold an Offshore Technical Skills Record that relates to the units of competency within Certificate III in Plumbing.
Offshore Technical Skills Record
To obtain an OTSR, plumbers trained overseas are required to complete an assessment to demonstrate their competencies in skill areas taken from the Certificate III in Plumbing. The OTSR lists the holder’s technical skills as demonstrated in the competency assessment. Importantly, it also identifies any skills gaps that must be addressed through further training. A list of OTSR assessment service providers may be found on the Trades Recognition Australia website.
Australian context gap training
After the Board has granted a provisional tradesperson’s licence, the licence holder will need to complete Australian context gap training to be eligible to apply for a tradesperson’s licence.
To address the Australian context knowledge gaps, overseas trained plumbers are required to complete the Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing .
After obtaining a Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing the provisional tradesperson may apply for a tradesperson’s licence.
Applying for a provisional tradesperson’s licence
Apply for a provisional tradesperson’s licence by submitting:
Provisional tradesperson licence - Form 104
- a completed application form;
- 100 points of identification;
- two passport style photographs;
- a current Australian National Police Clearance;
- a copy of your Offshore Technical Skills Record; and
- the application fee and licence fee shown on the application form.
After you have submitted your complete application
Licensing officers will assess your application on behalf of the Plumber’s Licensing Board. Subject to the details of your application and the Board’s assessment guidelines an officer acting under delegation or the Board itself will determine your application. You will be advised of the licensing decision.
Fees
Current application fees for plumbers can be found in the fee schedule.
A guide to provisional tradesperson's licences
Show moreWhat is a provisional tradesperson's licence?
A provisional tradesperson’s licence applies to plumbers who have obtained their qualifications and experience overseas and wish to migrate to Western Australia to work as a plumber.
Who can obtain a provisional tradesperson’s licence?
A provisional tradesperson’s licence is available to overseas-trained and experienced plumbers who have obtained an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) that relates to units of competency within the Certificate III in Plumbing.
What is an Offshore Technical Skills Record?
An Offshore Technical Skills Record is evidence that someone has completed a skills assessment to determine that they meet the technical requirements for the duties required of a plumber in Australia. To obtain an Offshore Technical Skills Record, that relates to plumbers applicants will be assessed against the competencies within the Certificate III in Plumbing.
Why must migrant plumbers obtain a provisional tradesperson’s licence?
In addition to obtaining an OTSR, migrant plumbers must also successfully complete what is known as ‘gap training’. As part of gap training, migrant plumbers must undertake on-the-job training. To be able to do that they must hold a licence. The provisional tradesperson’s licence has been designed to meet that requirement.
The purpose of gap training is to provide the provisional tradesperson with the additional skills and knowledge required to hold a tradesperson’s licence in Western Australia. The skills and knowledge held by the overseas-trained plumber at the completion of their gap training should be equivalent to the skills and knowledge of a person who has recently completed a plumbing apprenticeship.
Holding a provisional tradesperson’s licence is a prerequisite for migrant plumbers wishing to obtain a tradesperson’s licence to be able to work as a plumber in Western Australia on completion of their gap training.
Where can I go to get my gap training?
The gap training course that must be completed is the Certificate III in Plumbing or the Certificate in Migrant Plumbing. This training must be undertaken through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You can find out which RTOs offer the Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing course by visiting the Australian Government’s training directory website.
Are there any time limits for completing gap training?
Provisional tradespersons’ licences are only valid for one year. This means that migrant plumbers must complete their ‘gap training’ within that one-year period. Provisional tradespersons’ licences are only renewable in cases where there are extenuating circumstances relating to the licence holder’s ability to complete the gap training.
Where can I find out more about the OTSR?
Trades Recognition Australia can provide further information on the process for obtaining an OTSR.
Other requirements for migrant plumbers
There are two further issues migrant plumbers need to be aware of. These are outlined below.
Supervision
Until overseas-trained plumbers and drainers have obtained the skills and knowledge required to obtain a tradesperson’s licence in Western Australia, they must work under the supervision of either a licensed plumbing contractor, or a licensed tradesperson acting under the general direction and control of a licensed plumbing contractor. This level of supervision is equivalent to the supervision required of an apprentice.
‘Fit and Proper Person’ test
Applicants for a provisional tradesperson’s licence must also satisfy the Plumbers Licensing Board that they are a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold the licence. More information about this can be found on the application form.
Further information
For further information, please contact Building and Energy on 1300 489 099 or at plumbers@demirs.wa.gov.au.
Provisional tradesperson (plumbing) licence scope of work
Show moreThe below information provides a description of activities which Western Australia (WA) licensed provisional tradespersons (plumbing) are permitted to perform. If you are a WA licensee visiting another state under AMR, you are only allowed to perform the activities listed below.
Licence identifier: PTL00 – PTL0000
The provisional tradesperson’s licence enables a plumber from a country other than Australia or New Zealand to complete localisation training and undertake plumbing work for up to a year.
Scope of work
Can carry out plumbing works of the class specified on the licence under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor, or the holder of a tradesperson’s plumbing licence under the general direction of a licensed plumbing contractor.
Specific activities (by endorsed class)
| Class title | Class code | Class description |
|---|---|---|
| Full licence | PTL.WS.SDP | Installation, alteration, extension, disconnection, repair or maintenance of pipes and other fittings used or intended to be used for the supply of potable water from a meter assembly to the points of use within any property. Installation, alteration, extension, disconnection, ventilation, repair or maintenance of fittings and fixtures used or intended to be used for the carrying of wastewater or other waste. Installation, alteration, extension, disconnection, repair or maintenance of underground pipes and other fittings used or intended to be used for the carrying of: (i) wastewater to a sewer; or (ii) wastewater or other waste to an apparatus for the treatment of sewage. |
| Drainage plumbing work only | PTL.DP | Installation, alteration, extension, disconnection, repair or maintenance of underground pipes and other fittings used or intended to be used for the carrying of: (i) wastewater to a sewer; or (ii) wastewater or other waste to an apparatus for the treatment of sewage. |
Compliance requirements in WA
To get a WA licence
- Must have an Australian Police Check
- Must be a person of good character and repute and a fit and proper person to hold a licence – a criminal record is obtained
- Must pay an application fee
To keep a WA licence
- May renew licence after 12 months if extenuating circumstances exist for not completing requisite qualification. Only one extension is permitted.
They must comply with the Plumbers Licensing Act 1995 and Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000.
