Plumbing work complaints
If your complaint only relates to plumbing work and the plumbing work was completed within the last six years and the plumber has failed to rectify the plumbing work, a complaint may be lodged using the form below.
Plumbing and building work
If the complaint involves other building work in addition to the plumbing work, or if the rectification of the plumbing work will involve consequential damages to a building, you will need to lodge a building service complaint instead of a plumbing complaint. A building service complaint may be lodged using the form below.
Building service and home building work contract complaints form
Privacy Collection Notice: The personal information you provide in this form will be used by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) to investigate your plumbing work complaint in accordance with the applicable building services Acts and associated subsidiary legislation, as defined in s.3 of the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Act 2011 (WA) and/or prescribed in the Building Services (Complaint Resolution and Administration) Regulations 2011 (WA).
Providing the information requested in this form is voluntary. If you choose not to provide the information requested, we may not be able to assist you with your complaint.
We may share the information you provide in this form with other business areas in LGIRS, other government or regulatory agencies, local government authorities, judicial bodies and courts, and any other third parties where authorised or required by law, for enforcement, verification, compliance, policy, educational and/or audit purposes.
Please see the LGIRS Privacy Policy on our website for more information about how we handle your personal information, how you can request access to, or correction of, your personal information and who to contact if you have a privacy enquiry or complaint.
Contractual complaints
Do not use the Plumbing complaint form if your complaint is of a contractual nature, such as a monetary dispute or other contractual issue.
For contractual complaints, please contact Consumer Protection to discuss their dispute resolution options on 1300 304 054 or at consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au.
Possible outcomes of inspections and investigations
An inspection or investigation may result in one, or a combination of, the following outcomes:
No further action
Where a complaint has not been substantiated, insufficient evidence was available or other imposed restrictions such as being out of time to prosecute or issue notices exist, further action is unable to be commenced.
Educational notice
Where appropriate, the matter will be brought to the respondent’s attention. The intention is to inform and deter the respondent from further possible breaches, including plumbing standards.
Verbal warning
A verbal warning may be the appropriate action. This takes into account the circumstances of the matter, such as the seriousness of the breach and co-operation of the respondent.
Rectification notice
A rectification notice may be issued to address non-compliant plumbing work completed within six years.
Official warning
Formal warnings to the respondent regarding apparent breaches will be issued when appropriate levels of evidence are available. If the respondent has previously been issued with an official warning regarding similar matters, a higher level of enforcement may occur.
Infringement notices
When sufficient evidence exists, and the use of education/warning is not sufficient to address non-compliance, infringement notices may be issued. A fixed modified penalty must be applied to infringement notices as set out in the Regulations.
Prosecution
Proceedings are usually heard in a Magistrates Court and may result in the respondent being fined if convicted of the offence.
Disciplinary action
The Plumbers Licensing Board may deal with disciplinary matters depending on the type of conduct and strength of evidence or make an allegation to the State Administrative Tribunal. In the most serious cases, the plumber’s licence may be cancelled and fines up to $5,000 imposed.
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