About Plumbing & Gas

As a Plumber you will install, maintain and repair plumbing equipment associated with heating, cooling, water distribution and sanitation systems in residential and commercial buildings.

You will perform preventative maintenance inspections, evaluate and comply with local and national regulations

The training

To become a trade certified Plumber, you generally complete an apprenticeship which results in a Certificate III in Plumbing. The apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to complete.

The apprenticeship program features on the job training under the supervision of a qualified Plumber and off the job training at a registered training provider such as a WA TAFE college.

Skills you will learn

During the training program to become a Plumber, you will learn practical skills and underpinning knowledge. A training program will be created for you that will include such competencies as how to:

• Work safely at heights

• Carry out interactive workplace communication

• Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials

• Work effectively in the plumbing services sector

• Carry out WHS requirements

• Handle and store plumbing materials

• Use plumbing hand and power tools

• Carry out levelling

• Cut and join sheet metal

• Carry out simple concreting and rendering

• Work safely on roofs

• Flash penetrations through roofs and walls

• Weld polymer pipes using fusion method

• Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping

• Prepare simple drawings

• Install trench support

• Locate and clear blockages

• Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site

• Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers

• Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems

• Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems

• Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems

• Install gas pressure control equipment

• Install gas appliance flues

• Purge consumer piping

• Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances

• Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances

• Size and install consumer gas piping systems

• Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres

• Install and commission Type A gas appliances

• Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks

• Install discharge pipes

• Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply

• Set out and install water services

• Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices

• Install water pumpsets

• Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls

• Install backflow prevention devices

• Collect and store roof water

• Fabricate and install roof drainage systems

• Fabricate and install external flashings

• Install roof components

• Provide first aid

• Erect and dismantle restricted height scaffolding

• Operate elevated work platforms up to 11 metres

• Cut mild steel using oxy-LPG-acetylene equipment

• Install residential life safety sprinkler systems

• Set out, install and commission irrigation systems

• Install and maintain domestic water treatment equipment

• Install property service

• Enter and work in confined spaces

• Install LPG systems in caravans, mobile homes and mobile workplaces

• Maintain Type A gas appliances

• Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity exceeding 500 litres and less than 8 kl

• Install LPG systems in marine craft

• Plan layout and install vacuum drainage systems

• Install pre-treatment facilities

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Career Pathway Examples for Plumbing and Gas

Please note that programs can vary to some degree and this list is an example only.