Plumbing work

Plumbing work includes installing, altering, extending or disconnecting plumbing and drainage systems. In Queensland, all plumbing work is regulated and assessed under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018. 

Each type of plumbing work has different requirements, some activities require a plumbing permit. You can learn more below, for detailed information visit the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) website.

Plumbing categories and type of work

Permit work - plumbing work we must assess and inspect

Before a licenced plumber or drainer can begin any permit work, they must submit an application to us.

Examples of permit work include:

  • work carried out as part of building a new structure
  • installing extra appliances or fixtures in a building connected to trade waste
  • installing extra appliances or fixtures in a building connected to a combined drain
  • installing extra appliances or fixtures in a building connected to a dual reticulated water supply from a water service provider
  • work that uses a performance solution under the National Construction Code Volume Three (Plumbing Code of Australia) or the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code.

Notifiable work - plumbing work your plumber must report

Notifiable work is a type of regulated plumbing and drainage work that a licenced plumber or drainer can complete without needing our permission or mandatory inspections. 

This work must be lodged with the QBCC in the notifiable work register.

Most notifiable work takes place in existing buildings. You can read more about what counts as notifiable work on the QBCC website.

Minor work - plumbing work that does not need approval or reporting

Minor work must be carried out by a QBCC licensee, but it doesn’t need approval from us or reporting to the QBCC.

Minor work includes:

  • unblocking sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage
  • repairing a broken or damaged pipe
  • maintaining or repairing an apparatus
  • maintaining, repairing, replacing or removing a fitting or fixture
  • maintaining or repairing a greywater use facility or an on-site sewage facility, except when repairing or maintaining an irrigation system used to dispose of effluent
  • installing a greywater diversion device
  • sealing a supply pipe downstream from the water meter for a class 1 or 10 building or structure
  • installing, removing or replacing an automatic switching device for a rainwater tank.

Unregulated work - plumbing work anyone can do

Some plumbing tasks are unregulated and can be completed by anyone with the right knowledge and skills. You don’t need a plumbing licence to carry out unregulated work. You also don’t need approval from us or to report the work to QBCC.

Even though it is unregulated, the work must still meet the minimum standards set out under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018. 

Unregulated work includes:

  • replacing a shower head or domestic water filter cartridge
  • replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap
  • repairing or replacing a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber in a toilet cistern
  • replacing caps on ground-level inspection openings for a sanitary drain
  • cleaning or maintaining a ground-level grate on a trap for a sanitary drain
  • installing or maintaining an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from a tap, isolating valve or backflow prevention device
  • repairing or maintaining an irrigation system used to dispose of effluent from a greywater use facility or on-site sewage facility
  • carrying out incidental unskilled tasks such as excavating or backfilling a trench.

Types of applications and how to apply

Permit work covers more complex plumbing and drainage activities and an application needs to be lodged with us for assessment.

Fast-track - quick approval for a new single dwelling

Fast-track applications are only available for a new single Class 1a building (one single detached dwelling) on a sewered allotment and must be lodged online.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work.
  2. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if applicable at time of lodgement).
  3. Applicable fee paid.
  4. Site soil classification. Site specific expansion control detail plans (required for H, E and P site soil classifications).
  5. Set of plans:
  • fully dimensioned site plans showing current and proposed structures
  • floor plan with scale bar showing all fixtures
  • elevation plans
  • location of rainwater tank.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within two business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

Residential sewered - for residential work not covered by fast-track

Residential sewered applications are generally required for projects such as:

  • dual occupancy developments
  • secondary dwellings
  • multiple dwellings
  • sheds or outbuildings built after the main dwelling.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 1).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if known at the time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

Residential unsewered - for properties with on-site sewerage system

Residential unsewered plumbing work applies to properties that are not connected to the sewer network. These properties use an on-site sewerage system to treat and dispose of wastewater on the property. Any plumbing work that connects to or affects this system requires an application.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or in person at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 2).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if known at time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

 

Commercial sewered - for commercial properties connected to sewer

Commercial sewered plumbing work applies to commercial or non-residential building that are connected to the sewer network. This includes plumbing and drainage work for buildings such as:

  • shops and offices
  • warehouses
  • restaurants and cafes
  • medical and professional suites.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or in person at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 3).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if known at the time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

Commercial unsewered - for commercial properties with on-site sewerage system

Commercial unsewered plumbing work applies to businesses and commercial properties that are not connected to the sewer system. These properties must treat and dispose of wastewater on the property using an on-site sewerage system.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or in person at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 4).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if known at time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

Alterations and finals - changes inside an existing building

Alterations and finals apply when you want to alter, move or add plumbing inside an existing building. This includes plumbing and drainage work such as:

  • shop fit outs
  • office fit outs
  • temporary ablution blocks
  • conversion of septic to on-site treatment plant.

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or in person at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 5).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if applicable at time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What you can expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met.

Apply now

Miscellaneous installation - for other installations

Miscellaneous applications include only one inspection, typically including plumbing and drainage work such as:

  • demountable buildings
  • seal of plumbing and drainage
  • meter installation (sub-meter, water, trade waste).

What you need to provide

  1. Completed and signed Form 1 - Permit work application for plumbing, drainage and on-site sewerage work. Submitted online, by email or in person at a customer service centre.
  2. Applicable plans and documentation as referenced in supplementary to Form 1 (section 6).
  3. Completed and signed Form 7 - Notification of responsible person (if applicable at time of lodgement).
  4. Applicable fee paid.

What to expect

Once you submit your application with all required documents and information, we assess the application and issue a permit within 10 business days if all requirements are met. Works cannot commence until a permit is issued.

Apply now

 

   

 

Key tasks

Apply for fast-track plumbing approval

 

Related information

 

 

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