DIY Plumbing in Queensland: What You Can and Can Not Do

DIY Plumbing in Queensland: What You Can and Can Not Do

When you become a homeowner,you have the liberty to do as you please with your property. And this means you can take up any DIY projects to repair, update, or upgrade your property, right? Well, not so fast.

While there are numerous allowable DIY projects that you can conduct, not all DIY jobs are allowed by law. An example of this is plumbing.

Which DIY Plumbing Projects are Legal, and Which Ones Are Illegal in Queensland?

The internet is awash with DIY videos, and you can virtually learn and complete full home improvement projects on your own. And given budgetary constraints, DIYs are always enticing.

However, plumbing is a licensed trade in Australia, meaning a valid plumbing license is required before taking up plumbing work, albeit with some exclusions. These regulations are put in place to protect the community’s health and safety standards.  

Before conducting any plumbing work yourself, it's crucial to determine what you can and cannot do as an unlicensed plumber.

The following are some allowable DIY plumbing projects:

• Replacing a domestic water filter cartridge and showerhead
• Replacing a washer or jumper valve
• Replacing a drop valve washer, sanction cup rubber, or float valve washer
• Installing an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from an isolated valve
• Replacing caps on sanitary drain openings
• Maintaining or cleaning a ground-level grate for trap on a sanitary drain
• Drain and toilet clearing and cleaning
• Connecting washing machine hoses
• Clear a blocked gutter or downpipe

Professionals must do everything else outside the above. These include both regulated and notifiable works. Regulated plumbing projects require a prior permit from the local government. On the other hand, notifiable works don’t need prior consent, but you have to notify the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) of the intended works.

Below are examples of jobs that a licensed plumber must do:

• Plumbing piping system installation in the house or yard
• Installation and replacing the hot water systems, including solar, gas, electric, or heat pumps
• Installing the complete toilet system or shower system
• Installing, altering, or extending pipework, including drainage and water services
• Kitchen and bathroom renovations
• Managing on-site wastewater systems

What Happens If I Do Illegal DIY Plumbing?

If you are unlicensed, carrying out plumbing jobs that require licensure is a terrible idea for several reasons.

The first is that if you are discovered, you risk fines or jail because you will have, in essence, broken the law.

The other thing is compliance certificates. These are vital for plumbing works as they show that everything has been done per Australia's safety and quality standards.

More importantly, compliance certificates are required for insurance purposes. If the items you buy are defective, cause water damage, or injure or kill someone, your insurer will not honor your claim. You will also be legally liable for the injured and fatalities, which is extremely serious.

Lastly, you want to sell your home for top dollar when the time comes. Should you have unlicensed DIY plumbing, it will likely be flagged during pre-purchase conveyancing checks. Unfortunately, you must have the plumbing re-done by a licensed professional before the sale can go through.

Don’t Take Chances; Call Plumber to Your Door

One sure way to stay on the right side of the law, adhere to local building codes, and preserve your home's value is by leaving your plumbing work to a licensed professional.

And that’s us! Over the last 20 years, we have built an experienced, robust, affordable, reliable, 24/7 plumbing service for Townsville residents and beyond.

Please don't take chances with your home; call us!