The following frequently asked questions should provide relevant information to help you with your plumbing application the plumbing process. (Please note plumbing work is incorporated within the Building Act 2000.)
1. Plumbing Work and Plumbing Permits
In most circumstances plumbing work will require a permit from your local Council. It is your responsibility as the property owner to ensure that a plumbing permit is in place prior to commencement of any plumbing work.
A plumbing permit may not be required if the work is categorised as exempt plumbing work under the Plumbing Regulations 2004.
If you believe a plumbing permit is not required you should seek confirmation from the Council and from the registered plumber undertaking the project prior to commencing any works. Please note substantial penalties apply to persons undertaking plumbing work without a permit.
The Building Act 2000, along with the Plumbing Regulations 2004 are laws regulating building and plumbing work in Tasmania. These laws and the associated codes apply to everyone who undertakes plumbing work.
The following links detail the Building Act 2000 and Plumbing Regulations 2004.
The link to Workplace Standards Tasmania (Department of Justice) provides an introduction into the regulation of building and plumbing work in Tasmania.
Supporting the Building Act 2000 and the Plumbing Regulations 2004 are a number of specified forms that standardise applications for building works and required certificates.
For your convenience the following links provide a quick access to the most commonly requested application forms.
4. Council Plumbing Information
The following Council links offers further information to plumbing related issues.
The links to Workplace Standards Tasmania (Department of Justice) provide a current source of relevant plumbing information.
All plumbing work as defined by the Building Act 2000 including installing, altering or maintaining a plumbing installation (i.e. roofing, drainage, pipe work) must be undertaken by a plumber who holds an appropriate certificate of registration under the Plumbers and Gas-fitters Registration Act 1951.
The cost of a plumbing permit is dependent on the types of works you are doing and how many inspections you will require by one of Council's Plumbing Compliance Officers. For more information, see our Fees and Charges section. Plumbing fees are calculated at the end of the plumbing assessment and an invoice will be sent to you. Fees are required to be paid prior to the plumbing permit being released.
As a result of the water and sewerage reforms the assessment of building and plumbing applications process has changed. When lodging a building and/or plumbing application you must have a Notice of Exemption or a Certificate of Certifiable Work from Southern Water.
If a building or plumbing application requires a Certificate of Certifiable Work, then Southern Water has to issue a Water and Sewerage Compliance Certificate before Council can issue a Certificate of Completion.
To contact Southern Water telephone 136 992 or for further information visit their website.
