VBA Plumbing Licence Course

The VBA Plumbing Licence Course is designed for plumbers looking to meet the licensing requirements set by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

• This streamlined course focuses on the 5 core units necessary for your VBA Plumbing Licence, offering a flexible, self-paced, and online format.
• Whether you are starting your plumbing career or aiming to formalise your existing skills, this course equips you with the critical knowledge and practical understanding to succeed in the industry.
• Our targeted approach allows you to complete only the units you need for general plumbing licensure, saving you time and money compared to a full Certificate IV.

This streamlined course is specifically designed for aspiring plumbers who want to meet the licensing requirements quickly and efficiently. The program offers the flexibility of online, self-paced learning, tailored to cover the 5 core units required by the VBA for general plumbing licensure.

These units focus on:

• BSBESB402 - Establish Legal and Risk Management Requirements of New Business Ventures
• CPCCBC4012 - Read and Interpret Plans and Specifications
• CPCPCM4011 - Carry Out Work-Based Risk Control Processes
• CPCPCM4012 - Estimate and Cost Work
• CPCPCM4015 - Access and Interpret Regulatory Requirements for the Plumbing and Services Industry

Upon completing this course, you will receive digital a Statement of Attainment which you can upload into your application with the VBA.

To complete this course, you will need:

• A computer, tablet, or mobile device with camera access.
• Basic Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills.

For those looking to specialise in other areas of plumbing, additional training will be required, which can be found in the table below.

Once you obtain your plumber's licence in Victoria, a variety of career opportunities open up across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Here are some potential pathways:

Self-Employed Plumber (Business Owner)

• Opportunity: Start your own plumbing business and work independently.
• Scope: Offer general plumbing, drainage, or specialised services such as gas fitting or roofing.
• Growth: Potential to scale the business by employing other plumbers and apprentices.

Specialised Plumber

• Gasfitter: Install, maintain, and repair gas systems. Licensed gasfitters are always in high demand.
• Roof Plumber: Install and repair roofs, gutters, and downpipes.
• Hydraulic Services: Work in building and construction, focusing on complex plumbing systems, such as fire sprinkler systems.
• Sanitary Plumber: Specialise in systems related to sinks, showers, and wastewater treatment.

Maintenance Plumber

• Opportunity: Provide plumbing repair and maintenance services for residential or commercial buildings.
• Scope: Contracts with property management companies, government buildings, or large corporations.

Commercial and Industrial Plumber

• Opportunity: Work on large-scale projects such as factories, schools, hospitals, or shopping centres.
• Scope: Involves installation of large piping systems, plant installations, and fire services.

Construction and Renovation

• Opportunity: Work alongside builders in new construction or renovation projects.
• Scope: Install new plumbing systems, ensuring they meet code requirements and specifications for new builds or major renovations.

Plumbing Inspector/Compliance Officer

• Opportunity: Work for councils or government bodies like the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
• Scope: Inspect plumbing work to ensure compliance with regulations and standards.

Project Management or Site Supervisor

• Opportunity: Oversee plumbing work as part of larger construction projects.
• Scope: Coordinate multiple plumbers, manage workflow, and ensure the project adheres to timelines and budgets.

Sales and Technical Support

• Opportunity: Work in the plumbing supply industry as a sales representative or technical advisor.
• Scope: Use your technical knowledge to support retail or wholesale customers, or help design plumbing systems.

Teaching and Training

• Opportunity: Become a trainer at a TAFE or a registered training organisation (RTO).
• Scope: Teach new apprentices or tradespeople, or even specialise in workplace assessments.

Sustainable Solutions Specialist

• Opportunity: Focus on water-saving and environmentally friendly plumbing practices, such as greywater systems and solar hot water installations.
• Scope: With sustainability becoming more important, specialized skills in green plumbing can offer niche opportunities.

Emergency/24-Hour Plumber

• Opportunity: Offer emergency plumbing services, such as fixing burst pipes, leaks, or other urgent repairs.
• Scope: This can be particularly lucrative due to the nature of emergency call-outs and after-hours service rates.

Plumbing Estimator or Consultant

• Opportunity: Work as a consultant, preparing cost estimates or advising on project planning.
• Scope: Use your expertise to help builders, developers, or clients estimate project costs accurately.

Industries You Can Work In:

• Construction (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)
• Government or Municipal Services (e.g., maintenance and public works)
• Mining and Resources Sector (infrastructure in remote sites)
• Real Estate and Property Maintenance (working with property management firms)

The demand for skilled plumbers in Victoria remains high due to constant new developments, aging infrastructure, and increased focus on sustainability. This provides many varied paths to pursue, depending on your interests and goals.

After obtaining a plumber’s licence in Victoria, there are several study pathways available to advance your career further in the plumbing and construction industry. These options can help broaden your skillset, qualify for more specialised work, or move into supervisory and managerial roles. Here are the typical pathways:

Further completion of Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920)

• Although you would have already completed partials unit for this qualification to obtain a licence, expanding on its units or refreshing knowledge could be beneficial.
• Completing additional units or specialisations within the Certificate IV can open up new licensing categories, such as gasfitting or drainage.

Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design

• This qualification allows you to work in more technical roles related to designing hydraulic and plumbing systems, including water, drainage, and gas services. It's a valuable pathway for those interested in the design side of plumbing, working closely with engineers and architects.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (CPC50220)

• This pathway is ideal if you are looking to expand into project management or construction supervision roles.
• It covers skills in managing construction projects, preparing contracts, and understanding construction planning, which is ideal for those wanting to move beyond plumbing into broader construction management.

Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction (Management)

• An Advanced Diploma would prepare you for roles that involve managing multiple projects or taking on larger leadership responsibilities within a construction company.
• It focuses on strategic management skills, including resource management, cost control, and project leadership.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Plumbing Courses

• Plumbers can benefit from learning more about sustainability practices, energy efficiency, and water-saving technologies. Short courses or programs focusing on solar hot water systems, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling can add value to your service offering and help you adapt to the growing demand for sustainable solutions.

Type B Gasfitting and Specialised Gas Licences

• There are specialised courses that provide qualifications to work on Type B gas appliances, which are larger commercial and industrial gas appliances. These qualifications can open up work opportunities in larger-scale gas projects.

Short Courses for Specialised Licensing

• Backflow Prevention: Courses that allow you to be accredited for backflow prevention installation and maintenance.
• Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV): Training in TMV installation and maintenance.
• Fire Protection Systems: Courses to specialise in the installation and maintenance of fire sprinklers or other fire protection systems.

Business and Management Courses

If your goal is to grow your own plumbing business, you could consider studying business management courses such as:

• Certificate IV in Small Business Management or Diploma of Business to enhance your understanding of managing business operations, finance, and marketing.
• Courses in contract administration and estimating can also be highly beneficial for handling larger projects.

Building Inspector or Compliance Auditor Pathways

• You may also consider a pathway to becoming a Building Inspector or a Plumbing Compliance Auditor by studying additional courses related to building surveying or compliance assessment. This option often requires further experience in building inspections, and additional training is needed for licensing in Victoria.

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122)

• If you’re interested in teaching or becoming a trainer, you can pursue this qualification to teach future plumbers in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) or Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

These pathways can help you expand your technical knowledge, specialise in advanced systems, or move into supervisory, business management, or educational roles. The direction you choose depends largely on whether you want to remain in hands-on plumbing work, focus on business development, or pursue management opportunities.