Skip to main content
CrossNation logo
CrossNationGlobal Recruiter
Employer guide

Hire a Plumber in Australia

To hire a plumber, verify the plumbing licence or registration for the state where the work happens, specify the type of plumbing or gasfitting you need and confirm the award and classification. CrossNation recruits plumbers for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.

Hire staffAll role guides

By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.

  • 12% of annual salary

    Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.

  • 90-day placement guarantee

    See our terms.

Official data

Key facts from official sources

What you need to know

How do you check a plumber's licence?

Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting are regulated by each state and territory, and licence classes differ, so the class that covers one task in Victoria may not match the class in Queensland or New South Wales. Ask for the licence number and class and check it with the regulator, which usually offers a public search. Record the class, any conditions and the expiry. If a candidate holds a licence from another state, confirm whether the regulator where you work recognises it and what the process is. Apprentices need supervision under the regulator's rules.

What type of plumbing work are you recruiting for?

A new-build plumber works to a building program with other trades, a service plumber travels between jobs fixing leaks, blocked drains and hot water systems, often on call, and a commercial or hydraulic plumber handles large buildings, pumps and complex drainage. Gasfitting and roof plumbing may need separate licence classes. State the mix, whether the plumber works alone or with an apprentice, the vehicle and tools you supply and the geography covered. Candidates compare roles by these details, so a specific brief brings relevant applicants.

Which award and site requirements apply?

Plumbers employed by plumbing contractors are generally covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award [MA000036], with classifications, overtime, allowances and leave, while large construction employers may use enterprise agreements. Construction sites require a general construction induction card (white card), and you may also need working at heights or confined space tickets. We do not publish pay figures here. Decide the classification and cost the role using the Fair Work Pay Calculator, and set out how tools, vehicle and travel are handled in the contract.

What should the first weeks look like for a new plumber?

Agree how jobs are allocated, quoted and recorded before the first call-out. Walk the plumber through your stock and van arrangements, compliance paperwork, customer communication and after-hours practices. For new builds, cover the site induction, the sequence of works and the other trades. Pair a new starter with an experienced plumber for the first jobs where you can, and check early work before it is signed off. Clear expectations about tidiness and customer service protect your reputation.

Before you brief a recruiter: plumber checklist

Checklist

  • Verify the licence class, number and expiry with the state regulator
  • Define the mix of new-build, service, commercial and gas work
  • Confirm supervision arrangements for any apprentice
  • List the white card and other site tickets you require
  • Confirm the award or agreement and classification
  • Decide vehicle, tools and on-call arrangements

Tell us the role, location and start date

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.

Hire staff
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a plumber's licence valid in every state?

No. Plumbing licences are issued by each state and territory, and recognition between states depends on the regulator. Check before the person starts work.

Do I need a separate gasfitting licence?

In many states gasfitting has its own licence class. Check your regulator's rules and ask candidates which classes they hold.

Can I hire a plumber on an ABN?

Only if they genuinely run their own business. Workers who are directed like employees may be employees in law, so read the Fair Work guidance on contractors.

How does CrossNation charge to recruit a plumber?

The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits plumbers for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.

Can I recruit an overseas plumber through CrossNation?

CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. A state plumbing licence and a trades skills assessment are separate steps that an overseas plumber would also need to meet, apart from any visa. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.

What should I verify before I offer a plumber the job?

A plumbing licence or registration from the state or territory where you work is needed to carry out plumbing work independently. ABLIS lists the licences for each jurisdiction. For a plumber, the award that commonly applies is the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award (MA000036), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your plumber, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.

Related

Sources (accessed 6 October 2026)