Australian or New Zealand applicants:
If you already have a licence issued by another Australian State or Territory or New Zealand and you want to transfer your licence to WA, refer to mutual recognition.
Get your NSW, VIC, SA, NT, QLD, TAS or New Zealand licence recognised in WA
International applicants:
1. Complete an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR)
To be eligible for a provisional tradesperson’s licence you must hold an Offshore Technical Skills Record that relates to the units of competency within Certificate III in Plumbing.
To obtain an OTSR, plumbers trained overseas are required to complete an assessment to demonstrate their competencies in skill areas taken from the Certificate III in Plumbing. The OTSR lists the holder’s technical skills as demonstrated in the competency assessment. Importantly, it also identifies any skills gaps that must be addressed through further training. A list of OTSR assessment service providers may be found on the Trades Recognition Australia website.
2. Apply for provisional tradesperson licence
The provisional tradesperson’s licence enables a plumber from a country other than Australia or New Zealand to undertake plumbing work in Western Australia for up to a year while completing Australian context gap training. The licence holder will need to complete a Certificate III in Plumbing or a Certificate in Migrant Plumbing within 12 months to become eligible for a full tradesperson’s licence.
A person with a provisional tradesperson’s licence is authorised to carry out plumbing work under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or the holder of a tradesperson’s licence.
Complete application form
Provide additional documents
- 100 points of identification
- An acceptable photograph for your licence card (clear passport style image of head and shoulders against a white background, no hats or sunglasses).
- A police check (dated within the past 3 months, showing the same name as your identification).
- A copy of your Offshore Technical Skills Record
- Visa/Mastercard for fee payment.
Online:
| By Post | In Person |
|---|---|
If posting your application and Post to: Licensing Services |
Customer Service |
3. Complete Australian context gap training within 12 months
After the Board has granted a provisional tradesperson’s licence, the licence holder will need to complete Australian context gap training within 12 months to be eligible to apply for a tradesperson’s licence. The gap training course that must be completed is the Certificate III in Plumbing or the Certificate in Migrant Plumbing. This training must be undertaken through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You can find out which RTOs offer the Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing course by visiting the Australian Government’s training directory website.
4. Apply for full plumbing licence
After obtaining a Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing the provisional tradesperson may apply for a tradesperson’s licence.
Already have a licence in Australia or New Zealand?
Show moreIf you are registered or licensed as a painter elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to carry out painting work in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your licence recognised in WA.
FAQ's
Show moreWhat is a provisional tradesperson's licence?
A provisional tradesperson’s licence applies to plumbers who have obtained their qualifications and experience overseas and wish to migrate to Western Australia to work as a plumber.
Who can obtain a provisional tradesperson’s licence?
A provisional tradesperson’s licence is available to overseas-trained and experienced plumbers who have obtained an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) that relates to units of competency within the Certificate III in Plumbing.
What is an Offshore Technical Skills Record?
An Offshore Technical Skills Record is evidence that someone has completed a skills assessment to determine that they meet the technical requirements for the duties required of a plumber in Australia. To obtain an Offshore Technical Skills Record, that relates to plumbers applicants will be assessed against the competencies within the Certificate III in Plumbing.
Why must migrant plumbers obtain a provisional tradesperson’s licence?
In addition to obtaining an OTSR, migrant plumbers must also successfully complete what is known as ‘gap training’. As part of gap training, migrant plumbers must undertake on-the-job training. To be able to do that they must hold a licence. The provisional tradesperson’s licence has been designed to meet that requirement.
The purpose of gap training is to provide the provisional tradesperson with the additional skills and knowledge required to hold a tradesperson’s licence in Western Australia. The skills and knowledge held by the overseas-trained plumber at the completion of their gap training should be equivalent to the skills and knowledge of a person who has recently completed a plumbing apprenticeship.
Holding a provisional tradesperson’s licence is a prerequisite for migrant plumbers wishing to obtain a tradesperson’s licence to be able to work as a plumber in Western Australia on completion of their gap training.
Where can I go to get my gap training?
The gap training course that must be completed is the Certificate III in Plumbing or the Certificate in Migrant Plumbing. This training must be undertaken through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). You can find out which RTOs offer the Certificate III in Plumbing or Certificate in Migrant Plumbing course by visiting the Australian Government’s training directory website.
Are there any time limits for completing gap training?
Provisional tradespersons’ licences are only valid for one year. This means that migrant plumbers must complete their ‘gap training’ within that one-year period. Provisional tradespersons’ licences are only renewable in cases where there are extenuating circumstances relating to the licence holder’s ability to complete the gap training.
Where can I find out more about the OTSR?
Trades Recognition Australia can provide further information on the process for obtaining an OTSR.
Other requirements for migrant plumbers
There are two further issues migrant plumbers need to be aware of. These are outlined below.
Supervision
Until overseas-trained plumbers and drainers have obtained the skills and knowledge required to obtain a tradesperson’s licence in Western Australia, they must work under the supervision of either a licensed plumbing contractor, or a licensed tradesperson acting under the general direction and control of a licensed plumbing contractor. This level of supervision is equivalent to the supervision required of an apprentice.
‘Fit and Proper Person’ test
Applicants for a provisional tradesperson’s licence must also satisfy the Plumbers Licensing Board that they are a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold the licence. More information about this can be found on the application form.
Further information
For further information, please contact Building and Energy on 1300 489 099 or at plumbers@demirs.wa.gov.au.
Fees
Show morePlease refer to the Building & Energy Licensing fees page for fees related to your licence.
Plumbing Board Policies
Show moreFor current Board policies visit Boards – building services, electrical and plumbing.
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