Going out on your own as a plumber in WA
Checked against Plumbers Licensing Board, through Building and Energy on 8 August 2026.
To take jobs in your own name
Plumbing contractor's licence (PL00)
Building and Energy states plainly that a plumbing contractor has to complete higher qualifications than a plumbing tradesperson.
And underneath it, to do the work
Tradesperson's licence (TL00)
This only lets you work under the direction of a plumbing contractor. It is not enough to go out on your own.
This is the one people get wrong: the licence that lets you DO the work and the one that lets you CONTRACT for it are different. Working for a boss you only need the first. Going out on your own you need both.
- What you need before you apply
- A tradesperson's licence (or tradesperson's drainage licence) from the Board, plus your statement of competency as a water supply plumber, sanitary plumber and/or drainer. On top of the trade units you need three business units of competency. Also a police check inside three months, photo ID and a licence photo.
- What it costs
- New application, effective 1 July 2026 and exclusive of GST: $928 for 3 years ($846 registration plus $82 application). Only a 3 year term is offered.
- How long it takes
- Building and Energy publishes 4 to 6 weeks.
Where this came from
Read off Plumbers Licensing Board, through Building and Energy on 8 August 2026. Fees and processing times usually change on 1 July, so check before you budget.
Once you are up and running, we also have a page on what ONARA Ops does for plumbers.
When you are ready to take the first job
Once the licence is sorted, you need to look like you have been doing this for years: a website people can book from, and quotes and invoices with your logo that go out the same day you finish. That part is us.
Other trades in WA
We are not accountants, lawyers or insurance brokers, and none of this is advice. It is what the regulators and the ATO publish, gathered in one place with links to the source, so you know what to go and ask about. Rules and fees change, so check with the authority before you act on anything here. Government fees shown are for the 2026-27 year and are indexed every 1 July.