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Plumbers

Plumbers install, maintain and repair pipes, drains, guttering and metal roofing, mechanical services and related equipment for water supply, gas, drainage, sewerage, heating, cooling and ventilation systems.

Trades & constructionLicensed workANZSCO 3341
$1,990/wkMedian full-time pay
108kPeople employed
+10% ▲Growth to 2035
93%Work full time
34Median age
Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3341.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

The main tasks of this occupation, from the national occupation standard.

studying blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the layout of plumbing systems and materials requiredsetting out and installing hot and cold water systems and associated equipmentinstalling water-based fire protections systems, including fire hydrants, hose reels and sprinkler systemsdesigning and installing sanitary plumbing and water supply systems, discharge pipes and sanitary fixturesfabricating and installing soil and waste stacksassembling and installing mechanical services plant, air handling and conditioning equipment and small bore heating systems
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3341 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 10,600 more people in plumbers by 2035 ▲

The field grew 4.3% in the year to February 2026, adding about 4,500 workers. Most of the jobs are in VIC and NSW, with QLD third.

Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3341.More about our sources: How we check our facts
103.6k2025
109k2030 PROJ.
114.2k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most plumbers came through a certificate or diploma. 75% did.

A university degree is rare here: 1% hold one. The trade qualification is the standard way in. These are the nationally recognised courses mapped to this occupation, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.

Source: JSA · training.gov.auEducation split: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 3341. Qualification mapping and provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Listed providers are current registered training providers (private providers and TAFE institutes).More about our sources: How we check our facts

Nationally recognised training · most offered first

CPC32420Certificate III

Certificate III in Plumbing

Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package · licensed work.

See 43 providers
CPC32620Certificate III

Certificate III in Roof Plumbing

Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package · licensed work.

See 35 providers
CPC40920Certificate IV

Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package · licensed work.

See 29 providers

Licensed work: several of these courses lead to work that also needs a state or territory licence. Training is the first step; licensing rules are set by each state.

See all 11 mapped courses
CPC32420Certificate III in Plumbing · 43 providers
CPC32620Certificate III in Roof Plumbing · 35 providers
CPC40920Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services · 29 providers
22701VICCertificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship) · 16 providers
CPC32720Certificate III in Gas Fitting · 9 providers
52946WACertificate II in Plumbing · 6 providers
UEG30122Certificate III in Gas Supply Industry Operations · 6 providers
CPC32820Certificate III in Fire Protection · 5 providers
11054NATCertificate II in Plumbing Services · 2 providers
UEG40222Certificate IV in Gas Supply Industry Operations · 2 providers
UEG50122Diploma of Gas Supply Industry Operations · 0 providers

Providers are shown in A-Z order on each course page. A listing is not a recommendation.

Jobs open right now

108k Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

Each link opens seek.com.au in a new tab, showing ads posted in the last month. SEEK is a job site; we link there because that is where most Australian jobs are advertised. We have no commercial relationship with SEEK.

Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26State chart shows people employed, not current job ads. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3341.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

VIC34k
NSW30.9k
QLD18.3k
WA14.4k
SA5.3k
TAS1.8k
ACT1.5k
NT0.6k

Occupations near this one

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