In NSW, regulated water, sanitary and sewerage plumbing, draining, roof plumbing and gasfitting must be carried out by someone with the appropriate licence or certificate, under any required supervision. This applies even when the job is small or on your own property.
Work that requires appropriate authorisation
Licensed work generally includes installing, altering, repairing, disconnecting or removing relevant systems, fixtures and appliances. It covers:
- Water plumbing: Water supply pipes, fittings, tanks, fixtures and connections, including plumbing connections for hot-water systems.
- Sanitary plumbing: Fixtures and pipework carrying wastewater from toilets, sinks and showers.
- Sewerage plumbing and draining: Systems that convey, treat or dispose of sewage or permitted wastewater, including sanitary drainage.
- Roof plumbing: Relevant roof-water collection and disposal systems, such as gutters and downpipes.
- Gasfitting: Gas systems and appliance connections.
The worker’s authorisation must cover the particular category. Plumbing and gasfitting are separate licence categories, and a plumbing credential does not automatically authorise draining or roof plumbing. Electrical components require an appropriately licensed electrician.
Can homeowners or handymen do plumbing work?
Homeowners and handymen cannot independently perform regulated plumbing work. For example, you cannot install a complete new toilet yourself in NSW. Experience, business registration or another trade licence does not replace the required authorisation. Apprentices and some certificate holders may work only under the supervision required for their role.
There is no broad exemption for “minor” or inexpensive jobs. Some limited activities may fall outside the legal definition of plumbing work or within a specific exemption, but this depends on the exact task. Check with NSW Fair Trading if you are uncertain rather than altering the system yourself.
Safe observation and damage limitation are different from repair. You may shut an accessible water stop tap if it is safe, but do not open or alter sewage, gas, pressurised-water or concealed-service systems. Avoid sewage contamination. For a suspected gas leak, move away, avoid flames and electrical switches, and contact the gas distributor’s emergency service; call 000 if there is immediate danger.
Check the licence before work starts
Use the NSW Government online licence check to confirm:
- the licence holder’s name and number
- current status and expiry date
- authorised categories relevant to the job
- any conditions or restrictions.
If hiring a company, check its contractor licence and ask who will perform or supervise the work. Follow a reliable licence-verification process before authorising the job. If the task classification is unclear, contact our licensed plumbing team to identify the trade category required.