Advance your career in plumbing and take the next step towards becoming a plumber.
Why Choose The Gordon?
Our skill sets are delivered through face-to-face classes and some online classes by experienced industry professionals, the program combines practical and theoretical learning to equip you with advanced plumbing knowledge and skills. You'll gain the tools to confidently manage complex plumbing projects while refining your problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
Plumbing Licence in Drainage Work Skill Set
These units ensure a solid foundation for professional practice and are mandated by the VBA for all students who are working towards becoming licensed plumbers.
This skillset will cover areas such as business planning, legal and regulatory compliance, estimating and costing, workplace safety, and advanced technical knowledge essential for running efficient and compliant plumbing operations.
The following skillsets are tailored for plumbers who want to deepen their expertise and gain Victorian Building Authority (VBA) licensing in specialised areas. All persons who seek to become licenced with the VBA are required to hold the Plumbing Licence for Common Units Skill Set.
- BSBESB402 - Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
- CPCCBC4012 - Read and interpret plans and specifications
- CPCPCM4011 - Carry out work-based risk control processes
- CPCPCM4012 - Estimate and cost work
- CPCPCM4015 - Access and interpret regulatory requirements for the plumbing and services industry.
Please note: you may not need to complete all these units if you have previously completed the units from the Certificate IV in Plumbing services prior to 2025, or are currently licenced with the VBA, hold an Electrical Contractor Licence issued by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), or hold Certificate IV or Diploma in Building and Construction. You will need to discuss this with the program area prior to enrolment
Students can pursue a licence in one or more of the following skill sets. The VBA require students to hold the units from the “common licence skill set”. At the Gordon we are offering the following skillsets:
PLUMLICSS2 Plumbing Licence in Drainage Work Skill Set
These units focus on advanced drainage skills, including designing and installing sanitary drainage systems, storm water drainage systems, and evaluating complex drainage requirements to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
PLUMLICSS3 Plumbing Licence in Gas fitting Work Skill Set
This stream, will give you the skills and knowledge to design, install, and commission complex gas systems, ensuring safety, compliance with regulations, and efficiency in gas fitting operations.
PLUMLICSS7 Plumbing Licence in Water Supply Work Skill Set
This stream, focuses on the design and implementation of complex water service systems, equipping students with the knowledge to install, test, and maintain water supply networks in compliance with industry standards and environmental considerations.
Possible career outcomes
Licensed Plumber in:
- Drainage
- Gas fitting
- Mechanical Services
- Roofing (storm water)
- Sanitary
- Water supply
Applications & attendance
How to apply
- Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
- Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.
If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.
| Intake | Applications | Attendance | Classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 February East Geelong Campus |
Open: 29 Nov 2024 Close: 3 Feb 2025 |
Blended | Part Time | Apply |
Entrance Requirements
- Applicants must be at least 16 years and over at the time of course commencement.
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
- Applicants must hold a Certificate III in Plumbing.
- They must also be eligible for plumbing registration with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
- Completion of an apprenticeship, followed by at least two years of practical industry experience
- Applicants must be active members of the plumbing trade, aiming to obtain a licence in one or more plumbing streams
- Current third-year apprentices at The Gordon may be invited to enrol into the common units skill set, provided their suitability is confirmed by their course teacher
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
Units & assessments
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Access and interpret regulatory requirements for the plumbing and services industry | CPCPCM4015 | 15 |
| Carry out work-based risk control processes | CPCPCM4011 | 24 |
| Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures | BSBESB402 | 60 |
| Estimate and cost work | CPCPCM4012 | 40 |
| Read and interpret plans and specifications | CPCCBC4012 | 30 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment will be based on
- Questioning
- Portfolio (work samples)
- Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Fees
This course is eligible for Free TAFE!
Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Further study options
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.