The department, through its Building Codes Queensland Division, supports the Plumbing Industry Council (PIC).

Through the 2010-2013 Strategic Plan, PIC has a vision to increase community confidence that licensed plumbing trades protect public health, safety and the environment. To achieve its vision, the PIC is launching a public awareness campaign.

The campaign is aimed at educating consumers to only use licensed plumbers and drainers when choosing someone to undertake regulated plumbing work. It informs householders why they should choose a licensed plumber and emphasises that plumbers and drainers who are licensed by the PIC possess the necessary skills and qualifications to complete a professional job that meets Australian Standards.

Using a licensed plumber or drainer

Using licensed plumbers and drainers is the simplest and most effective way of ensuring that plumbing work complies with regulations to minimise unnecessary risk to your family’s health and safety. Rectifying defective or non-compliant work can be far more expensive than the original cost. As a consumer, using an appropriately qualified plumber or drainer will help to protect you and your family as well as your bank account. If you want to confirm a person is appropriately licensed, and that their licence is current, please contact the PIC on: 1800 682 021/+61 7 3235 4149 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Occupational and contractor licences for plumbing

In some instances, it may be necessary for a tradesperson to hold both an occupational and contractor licence to carry out work, regardless of the value. The PIC administers the occupational licensing system for plumbers, drainers and fire sprinkler installers. The Building Services Authority (BSA) administers the contractor licensing system. To check whether a person holds a BSA licence search online at www.bsa.qld.gov.au or contact the BSA on 1300 272 272 for further information.

Work that can be done by an unlicensed person

Below is a list of the unregulated work that can be performed by an unlicensed person, all other plumbing and drainage work must be undertaken by an appropriately licensed person.

For sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage:

• cleaning or maintaining ground level grates to traps on sanitary drains
• replacing caps to ground level inspection openings on sanitary drains
• maintaining an above or below ground irrigation system for the disposal of effluent from an on-site sewerage facility.

For water plumbing:

• installing or maintaining an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from an isolating valve, tap or backflow prevention device on the supply pipe for the irrigation or lawn watering system
• replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap
• changing a shower head
• replacing, in a water closet (WC) cistern, a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber.

Related resources

Who's doing your plumbing flyer ( 251 KB)