The Plumbing Regulations 2018 Explained for Homeowners
The Plumbing Regulations 2018 is the rule book every Victorian plumber works to. Most people will never read it. Here is what you actually need to know, in plain English, so you can make better decisions about plumbing work on your home.
What the regulations cover
The Plumbing Regulations 2018 (Victoria) set out who can carry out plumbing work, what classes of work require licensing, what notification and certification is required, and what standards the work must meet. They sit under the Building Act 1993 and are administered by the Victorian Building Authority (vba.vic.gov.au).
Who can do plumbing work
Under the regulations, work in eight licensed classes - water supply, sanitary, drainage, mechanical services, roofing (stormwater), irrigation, fire protection, and gas-fitting - must be carried out by a licensed plumber. Apprentices may carry out work only under the supervision of a licensed plumber. Homeowners may do limited unlicensed work on their own home but not the licensed-class work above.
What work needs a Certificate of Compliance
The regulations require a Certificate of Compliance for licensed plumbing work over $750 in value, plus all gas work, all backflow work, all roofing/stormwater, and all sanitary drainage. The COC is lodged electronically via the VBA portal and a copy provided to the homeowner.
The Standards behind the regulations
The regulations reference AS/NZS 3500 (the Australian/New Zealand Plumbing and Drainage Standards, standards.org.au) and the AS/NZS 5601 gas installation standards.
What this means practically for homeowners
First, you must use a licensed plumber for any work in the eight regulated classes. Second, you should always receive a Certificate of Compliance for work over $750. Third, the work must comply with AS/NZS 3500. Fourth, if something goes wrong, Consumer Affairs Victoria (consumer.vic.gov.au) and Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (dbdrv.vic.gov.au) are the formal pathways.
FAQ
Can I install my own dishwasher?
Connecting to existing flexible hose connections - yes. Hard-piped installation requires a licensed plumber.
What if work over $750 has no Certificate of Compliance?
Request one from the plumber, or check the VBA portal. If none exists, the work may be non-compliant.
Where do I read the regulations?
The Victorian Legislation website hosts the current Plumbing Regulations 2018 in full.
Phone Newton Plumbing - +61 414 951 362. Licence #107733.
Internal links: burst pipe Burwood, hot water Box Hill, blocked drain Glen Waverley, burst pipe Mount Waverley.
External links: vba.vic.gov.au, standards.org.au, consumer.vic.gov.au, dbdrv.vic.gov.au.