Plumbers Licensing Board statement
A Thornlie plumbing contractor has been fined a total of $2,000 for carrying out water supply plumbing work beyond the scope of his licence.
At Armadale Magistrates Court, Werner Van Heerden (PL10833) trading as VH Plumb & Gas was convicted in his absence of two charges brought by the Plumbers Licensing Board.
Mr Van Heerden holds a plumbing contractor’s licence authorising him to carry out sanitary and drainage plumbing work, but not water supply plumbing work.
The court was told that Mr Van Heerden replaced water heaters at homes in Thornlie and Huntingdale in September and October 2025.
Replacing a water heater is regulated water supply plumbing work in Western Australia and must be carried out by a plumber whose licence or permit authorises that work.
The court heard that faulty work in both instances was attributable to Mr Van Heerden’s lack of qualifications to carry out the work.
On 17 July 2026, Mr Van Heerden was fined $1,000 for each offence under the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000. Costs of $386.80 were also awarded.
The Board noted the public health and safety risks associated with unauthorised plumbing work, including the potential for incorrectly installed water heaters and associated valves to cause injury.
Consumers are encouraged to check that a plumbing contractor is appropriately licensed for the type of work required, including any restrictions or limitations on their licence, using the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety online licence search or the ServiceWA app.
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Media contact: BEmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au
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