The National Occupational Licensing Systems (NOLS) will provide uniform licensing requirements across all Australian states and territories for the licensing of a number of specific occupations. More information can be found on the Queensland Treasury website.

To undertake plumbing, drainage and fire protection work, you must have a current Queensland licence or endorsements that authorise you to undertake the particular work.

There are three classes of plumbers and drainers licences issued in Queensland by the Plumbing Industry Council (PIC):

• plumbers licence
• drainers licence
• restricted licence.

Within each of these classes, there are several types of licence. You may be issued with a licence with endorsements, licence conditions or a provisional licence.

If you are an apprentice you must be directly supervised and enrolled in a course under the Vocational, Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 that is related to plumbing or drainage. This applies to apprentices who may be in the three-month probationary period, which applies at the commencement of an apprenticeship arrangement.

View the list of qualifications ( 41 KB) for each type of plumbing and drainage licence.

Applying for a plumbers, drainers or fire occupational licence, licence renewal or replacement

An application for a plumbers, drainers, or fire occupational licence must be made to the Plumbing Industry Council.

Licence renewals for contractors in flood affected areas

Licensees applying to renew their licence that has expired during the flood periods will be granted an extension of time to renew their licences. Licence renewal applications received by the Plumbing Industry Council will continue to be processed as normal.

For more information contact the Plumbing Industry Council to discuss options available to assist contractors in flood affected areas to renew their licence.

Free replacements available for plumbers or drainer's licences lost or damaged in the floods

The $21 fee to replace a lost, stolen or damaged licence, issued by the Plumbing Industry Council, has been waivered for contractors affected by recent flood events.

To apply for a replacement licence, complete forms 23 and 27.

For more information contact the Plumbing Industry Council.

Interstate licensing for flood recovery work

Building Codes Queensland has made arrangements with plumbing regulators in jurisdictions across Australia to enable interstate tradespeople to obtain a Queensland equivalent licence to undertake flood recovery work. This process has been streamlined to avoid any delays with recovery efforts.

Any interstate licensee who wishes to perform regulated work in Queensland should contact the Plumbing Industry Council's licensing team on 07 3247 3618 or the plumbing regulator in their jurisdiction.

Mutual recognition

If you hold a licence from another state, territory or New Zealand, under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992, your accreditation will be recognised in Queensland and you may apply for a licence equivalent to the one you already hold.

Persons with overseas qualifications or training

If you are a person who has gained qualifications or training overseas, there are a number of different assessments that needs to be undertaken to obtain a plumbing or draining license.

Resources

• Forms
• Schedule of fees ( 25 KB)

Further information

For further information contact the Plumbing Industry Council.