The register
Six tags, each answering one question from the official pages.
Six questions, six tags
Tag 01 · Licence
Every plumbing job needs a licence, whatever it costs
In NSW you need a licence or certificate for any plumbing, draining or gasfitting work, regardless of its cost or whether it is residential, commercial or industrial, and you need to be licensed in every category you work in. A contractor licence or supervisor certificate in plumbing asks for a Certificate IV and at least two years’ experience; a tradesperson certificate, a Certificate III, and that work must be supervised and signed off.
Tag 02 · Certificate
The paper that names who is responsible
At the end of all plumbing and drainage work, the plumber or drainer must complete a Certificate of Compliance and give a copy to the person who arranged the work. It identifies them as the responsible person for that work. On Building Commission NSW’s published form, the licensee also undertakes to fix defects the regulator traces to faulty workmanship or materials within two years of the final inspection.
Tag 03 · Sydney Water
A minimum pressure, and a rebate when it is missed
Sydney Water aims to supply drinking water at a minimum of 15 metres head of pressure at the point of connection. If pressure stays below that for an hour continuously, it applies a rebate of $49.04 as at October 2026, for one event a quarter. Its customer contract sets similar rebates for long interruptions, wastewater overflows and boil water alerts caused by its faults.
Tag 04 · Apartments
In a strata building, the wall decides
NSW Fair Trading’s rule of thumb: the owners corporation repairs plumbing in boundary walls and under the floor, and owners repair plumbing in internal walls and fixtures. In an emergency an owner may call a plumber and seek a refund, with photos and the plumber’s written account of the problem.
Tag 05 · Backflow
The device most houses already have
Sydney Water’s 20 mm and 25 mm meters have a backflow prevention device built in, which suits a low hazard connection. Medium and high hazard devices must be tested by an accredited backflow plumber when installed and every year afterwards.
Tag 06 · Labels
Stars on top, litres in the middle
The WELS label’s star rating shows how water efficient a product is, and the middle of the label shows how much water it uses. The regulator’s example of swapping a 15 litre a minute shower for a 6 litre one saves a family of four 105 kilolitres a year.
Who to ring
The official lines
Leaks and breaks, overflows, no water, water quality.
Given on the NSW Government’s gasfitter page for checking a licence.
8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If you smell gas, the NSW Government’s first step is to leave the building immediately and call 000 for NSW Fire and Rescue ; its full list of steps is in Tag 01.