Nationally, the Plumbing Industry is a very large employer of a wide range of occupations in various fields including manufacturing and merchandising.

In Victoria, for example, Plumbing Apprenticeship (Vocational Trade Training) commenced in 1888.

The industry which has been technically driven by public health and environmental requirements arising from the water industry and the need for proper sanitation comprises trade areas including water, sanitary, gas, mechanical services, heating and cooling, industrial wastes, metal roofing, drainage, building services and other specialized areas such as fire services, air-conditioning, lead burning, medical, marine, and solar.
Types of Plumbing Work...

The Plumbing Industry has a long history as a well organized industry carrying on the business of plumbing as we know it in Australia. The industry is an extension of Western European water supply and sanitary systems that are part of our culture.

The introduction of plumbing traders to Australia was originally by plumbers trained in the United Kingdom. The many occupations within the industry depended upon the plumbing trades taught within the apprenticeship system which transfers the various technical skills and knowledge through both formal education and on-the-job training in what are essentially major plumbing trades.

The industry as a whole encourages the development of self-employed businessmen and women who trade in many aspects of plumbing products and services.

Originally many plumbers manufactured products such as baths, water heaters, showers and water tanks. Today many plumbing industry traders are importers and exporters with some still involved in manufacture at the small business level, for example with water tanks.

"However, the modern plumber has to be in tune with the many water supply and sanitary products and fixtures which form part of a major plumbing industry focused on a society accustomed to modern Western style plumbing appliances".

Whilst plumbing trades are recognized for the sophistication of their technical training and unique responsibility for the systems of public and environmental health including water sustainability and greenhouse that are a world wide concern, they are also very aware of that obligation and as a whole, work for the improvement generally of the standards of the plumbing trades and the systems and materials used.

Of its industry sectors by far the largest, is the service sector. This is concerned with the installation, maintenance and replacement of facilities in institutions such as hospitals, laboratories, hotels and schools. The service sector also includes many industrial and manufacturing installations as well as commerce in shops and offices and of course a very large market of domestic plumbing consumers.

A special feature of the plumbing workforce is the manner in which the industry regulates and supervises its training, examinations and registration of plumbers to carry out a wide range of functions in identifiable trades sectors of the industry.

There are approximately 60,000 registered or licensed persons in Australia of which the majority has principle registration for Water, Drainage, Sanitary and Gasfitting.

Employment in the Industry is generally through Apprenticeship.


Testimonials

Below is a Testimonial from one of our most recent award recipients.

17th May 2004

Mr. Graham White
Chairman of Trustees
Australian Plumbing Industries Education Foundation
525 King Street
West Melbourne VIC 3003


Dear Mr. White,

RE: BOSCH INTERNATIONAL
MASTER PLUMBERS' SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
MONSTRA COVEGNO EXPOCOMFORT -2004
MILANO, ITALY

I would like to sincerely thank the Master Plumbers Education Foundation and Robert Bosch Australia for their generous support in making this prestigious award possible, and for their continued commitment to professional development within the plumbing industry.

It was an enormous honour and privilege to receive this scholarship and represent Australia overseas. This was an incredible opportunity which provided me with an invaluable experience that I believe has benefited me both professionally and personally.

I present this report to you which outlines my experiences overseas. These experiences have highlighted to me the fact that our industry within Australia competes favourably at a global level. I have also taken this opportunity to comment on what I consider to be important issues for our industry presently, which I believe will generate exciting developments for our profession in the future.

Yours sincerely,



Tim Dickinson

Types of Plumbing work

1. Draining - means the installation, removal, repair and maintenance of pipes and fittings involved with stormwater and waste.

2. Gasfitting - means the installation, disconnection, repair and maintenance of pipes, fittings, appliances and associated ventilation equipment involving gases such as fuel, liquefied petroleum, manufactured and natural gases.

3. Mechanical Services Plumbing - means work carried out in connection with heating, cooling or ventilation of buildings. This may include installation, removal, repair and maintenance of pipes, valves, regulators, tanks and Air Conditioning Systems.

4. Roof Plumbing - means the installation, renewal, repair and maintenance of roof coverings and roof water systems including gutters, rainwater piping and downpipes.

5. Sanitary Plumbing - means installation, removal, renewal, repair and maintenance of pipes, including ventilation of those pipes and fittings to receive and convey sewage.

6. Water Plumbing - means installation, removal, repair and maintenance of pipes and fittings designed to convey hot and cold water.

PLUMBING REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

The core areas of plumbing, i.e. Water, sanitary, drainage and gas are regulated in all States and Territories through the various plumbing authorities.
However inconsistencies have developed over time in response to local conditions and attitudes and now there are functional areas of plumbing which are licensed in some States/Territories but not in others.

Australia - New Zealand Reciprocity Association (ANZRA)
ANZRA was established in 1950 and consists of the licensing authorities responsible for the certification of competency of Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainers from New Zealand and each State and Territory of Australia

• Contractor Licences/Authorities
Persons not holding recognised qualifications may obtain a licence/authority permitting the contracting of plumbing draining and gasfitting on the basis that a qualified person is a genuine employee of the licence / authority holder or a member of the partnership or director of the company holding the licence/authority.

• Important - Confirm the Standing of Your Qualification
All persons intending to travel to Australia or New Zealand to work in the plumbing and gasfitting industry are strongly recommended to confirm the recognition given to their qualifications and/or experience before they leave home.

In order to confirm the recognition given to your qualifications please contact either ANZRA or the Licensing Authority in the area you intend settling.


LIST OF AUTHORITIES
Australia - New Zealand Reciprocity Association PO Box 360 CAULFIELD EAST VIC 3145