Plumbing work complaints

Plumbing work complaints

If your complaint only relates to plumbing work and the plumbing work was completed within the last six years and the plumber has failed to rectify the plumbing work, a complaint may be lodged using the form below. 

Plumbing complaint form

Plumbing and building work

If the rectification of plumbing work may require consequential damage to a building, you will need to consider lodging a building service complaint instead of a plumbing complaint. Plumbing disputes involving other building services can be lodged using the form below. 

Building service and home building work contract complaints form

Contractual complaints

Do not use the Plumbing complaint form if your complaint is of a contractual nature, such as a monetary dispute or other contractual issue.

For contractual complaints, please contact Consumer Protection to discuss their dispute resolution options on 1300 304 054 or at consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au.

Possible outcomes of inspections and investigations

An inspection or investigation may result in one, or a combination of, the following outcomes:

No further action

Where a complaint has not been substantiated, insufficient evidence was available or other imposed restrictions such as being out of time to prosecute or issue notices exist, further action is unable to be commenced.

Educational notice 

Where appropriate, the matter will be brought to the respondent’s attention. The intention is to inform and deter the respondent from further possible breaches, including plumbing standards.

Verbal warning 

A verbal warning may be the appropriate action. This takes into account the circumstances of the matter, such as the seriousness of the breach and co-operation of the respondent.

​Rectification notice

A rectification notice may be issued in respect of plumbing work completed within six years in the following instances:

1. the plumbing work was not carried out in accordance with the plumbing standards that applied to the work at the time it was carried out;
   1. the plumbing work –
      1. did not comply with the deemed-to-satisfy provisions in the Plumbing Code as modified in accordance with regulation 49 at the time the work was carried out; and
      2. a notice of intention to include a performance solution was not given under regulation 45A for the work; or
   2. the plumbing work included the installation of a pipe, fixture or fitting in respect of which regulation 52(1) applied and –
      1. the installation specifications specified by the manufacturer of the pipe, fixture or fitting were not complied with; or
      2. the operating conditions specified by the manufacturer of the pipe, fixture or fitting were exceeded; or
      3. the plumbing work was not carried out in a tradesman-like manner.

Official warning 

Formal warnings to the respondent regarding apparent breaches will be issued when appropriate levels of evidence are available. If the respondent has previously been issued with an official warning regarding similar matters, a higher level of enforcement may occur.

Infringement notices 

When sufficient evidence exists, and the use of education/warning is not sufficient to address non-compliance, infringement notices may be issued. A fixed modified penalty must be applied to infringement notices as set out in the Regulations.

Prosecution

Proceedings are usually heard in a Magistrates Court and may result in the respondent being fined if convicted of the offence.

Disciplinary action 

The Plumbers Licensing Board may deal with disciplinary matters depending on the type of conduct and strength of evidence or make an allegation to the State Administrative Tribunal. In the most serious cases, the plumber’s licence may be cancelled and fines up to $5,000 imposed.