Considering plumbing as a career? Well you should.
Plumbing is one of the most sought after and reliable industries in Australia. Steady job growth in Victoria, exceptional work safety regulations, equal opportunity employment and specialised skills you can take anywhere around the world are just a few of the reasons to choose plumbing.
Do I need to finish year 12?
What subjects do I need?
It is strongly recommended that you do. Plumbing is a trade that requires a good grounding in Mathematics – to calculate areas, flow rates, measurements and volume. You will also want to have the grounding to understand the complexities of quoting, margins, estimating, tax and everything else to do with running a business. For this reason we recommend a year 12 education.
Also, you will need to have the skills to read plumbing standards and regulations and apply them. So good English skills are also important.
You can complete an apprenticeship with good grades at year 10 level, but may find it more difficult to keep up with the class at your Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
There is also value in completing year 12 before you start:
- Most often plumbing apprentices require a driver’s license that cannot be obtained in Victoria until you’re 18; and
- The Award actually prescribes a lower rate of pay if you have not finished year 12.
Some schools offer VCAL programs in which you can complete foundation studies in Construction or being your apprenticeship as a School Based Apprentice, so you can get the best of both worlds – start developing important trade skills whilst still working to complete year 12.
So there are many reasons to stick with school and then take either the Pre-Apprenticeship or Apprenticeship pathway.
How to start your plumbing career
In all States and Territories of Australia plumbing is a regulated trade. In Victoria the regulator of the plumbing industry is the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
To do plumbing work in Victoria you must be either:
- Licensed by the VBA,
- Registered by the VBA, or
- An Apprentice working under the supervision of a registered or licensed plumber
