Becoming a plumber in Australia, the 2026 apprenticeship pathway

Plumbing is one of Australia’s most reliably well-paid trades. The work is physical, the apprenticeship is tough on the body, and the qualification opens doors to specialist endorsements (gas, hydraulics, roofing, drainage) that lift earnings well past most trades. There’s been a chronic shortage of plumbers in Australia for over a decade and it’s not getting better.

This is the full pathway from school leaver to licensed plumber in 2026.

The path, in five stages

1. Pre-apprenticeship (optional), Cert II in Plumbing, 6 to 12 weeks at TAFE
2. Apprenticeship, four years employed under a licensed plumber while studying Certificate III in Plumbing
3. Cert III completion, formal trade qualification
4. State licence application, apply for the journeyman or equivalent licence
5. Endorsements, gas-fitting (Type A or B), roof plumbing, mechanical services, hydraulics, all add to the licence over time

Apprentice plumber wages by year (2026 award rates, approximate)

Year	Weekly wage (gross, AUD)	Annual (gross)
Year 1	$550 to $740	$28,500 to $38,500
Year 2	$720 to $940	$37,500 to $49,000
Year 3	$900 to $1,180	$47,000 to $61,500
Year 4	$1,030 to $1,390	$54,000 to $72,500

Commercial sites pay above award. New-construction plumbers often work substantial overtime, lifting Year 4 to $80K to $90K.

Where to find an apprenticeship

• Small plumbing businesses, the most common path. Drop in, ring around, ask if they’re hiring. Smaller operations often advertise on local Facebook groups before formal job boards
• Group Training Organisations, MAS, MEGT, Apprenticeship Support Australia
• Plumbing companies, larger commercial plumbers (Stowe, Programmed, Naveen Plumbing) take cohort intakes
• Master Plumbers Association, the state MPAs (NSW, VIC, QLD especially) maintain apprentice job boards
• MySkills.gov.au, government job board

TAFE and the licensing path

Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420 or successor) is delivered as block or day release over 3 to 4 years. State TAFE costs:

• NSW, Smart and Skilled subsidies, $1,800 to $3,500 over the course
• VIC, Free TAFE for eligible students, otherwise $3,000 to $7,500
• QLD, CSQ subsidies, $2,500 to $6,000
• WA, Jobs and Skills WA, $3,000 to $6,500
• Other states, similar mid-range

After Cert III, apply to the state regulator for the journeyman licence. Each state runs slightly different exams and assessments. See Plumbing licence by state for detail.

The Australian plumbing endorsements

After basic licence, most plumbers add one or more endorsements:

• Type A gas-fitting, residential and light commercial gas appliances, separate licence required in every state
• Type B gas-fitting, larger commercial and industrial systems, more demanding
• Roof plumbing, gutters, downpipes, rainwater, separate licence
• Drainage, sometimes combined with general plumbing, separate in VIC
• Mechanical services / hydraulics, heating, cooling, large commercial water systems
• Fire protection, fire sprinkler systems, specialist licence

Each endorsement is typically a 12 to 24 month part-time study + assessment, costing $1,500 to $4,000. They more than pay for themselves once accredited.

Tools you’ll need

Year 1 essentials, $600 to $1,200:

• Pipe wrenches (250mm and 350mm)
• Adjustable spanner set
• Hacksaw
• Screwdriver set
• Pliers and side cutters
• Pipe cutter (small and large)
• Spirit level (300mm and 600mm)
• Tape measure
• Knee pads (you will thank yourself)
• PPE

Years 2 to 4, $1,500 to $4,000:

• Pipe threaders (manual)
• Cordless drill set
• Plumbing torch (oxy or MAPP)
• Soldering kit
• Press tool (Viega/Rothenberger or similar, $1,500+, often shared on site)
• Drain snake (small)
• Larger pipe wrenches
• Confined-space lights

Qualified earnings

Stage	Annual gross (AUD)
Qualified plumber, residential employee	$75,000 to $105,000
Commercial plumber	$90,000 to $135,000
Mining/FIFO plumber	$120,000 to $200,000+
Sole-trader plumber (5 years in)	$110,000 to $180,000
Plumbing business owner with 3 to 5 staff	$170,000 to $400,000+
Gas-fitting specialist	Premium of 10 to 25% over general plumber

Pitfalls to avoid

• Knee and back injury, plumbing is hard on the body. Quality knee pads from day one, plus lifting technique
• Tool theft from utes, plumbing tools are valuable and easy to flog. Lock the ute and the toolbox
• Skipping endorsements, gas-fitting alone lifts your earnings ceiling by 20% and most experienced plumbers add it
• Wrong employer, residential maintenance shops can use apprentices for fetch-and-carry. Ask about the work mix before signing
• Burnout, plumbing has Australia’s highest tradesman suicide rate. Look after your mental health, talk to your mates, take leave

The Plumbing is a high-demand, high-paying trade with a clear pathway and unlimited demand. The work is physically tough but the earning ceiling is well above most professions. Gas-fitting endorsement plus 5 to 10 years on the tools means $150,000+ in major cities is normal, and business ownership pushes that to $300,000+.

See Plumbing licence by state for the state-by-state licensing path.