In Australia, plumbing is licensed trade work — meaning anyone who charges money to do plumbing must hold a current plumbing licence issued by their state or territory. Yet unlicensed plumbing is one of the most common complaints received by state building authorities each year, often leaving homeowners with costly damage and no legal recourse.
The good news: verifying a plumber's licence takes less than two minutes. Here's how.
Every Australian state and territory maintains a public register of licensed plumbers. You can verify a plumber's licence online — just ask for their licence number and check it yourself.
⚠️ If a plumber refuses to give you their licence number, or gets defensive when you ask — that's a serious red flag. Walk away.
A quick phone call or message before booking can save you significant headaches. Ask:
A reputable plumber will answer these confidently and without hesitation.
Prices vary significantly between plumbers — sometimes by 40% or more for the same job. Getting two or three quotes ensures you're paying a fair price and gives you a natural way to compare how responsive and professional each tradesperson is.
The cheapest quote isn't always the best. Look for a plumber who gives you a clear, itemised written quote — vague quotes often hide add-ons that inflate the final bill.
Reviews on Google, Facebook, or a directory like TradeHaven can tell you a lot about a plumber's reliability, communication, and quality of work. Look for:
In Australia, the following always requires a licensed plumber:
Minor jobs like replacing a tap washer or unblocking a drain with a plunger can often be done yourself — but if you're unsure, it's always safer to call a pro.
TradeHaven lists ABN-verified, licensed plumbers across Australia. Browse by suburb and read real reviews.
Search Plumbers on TradeHaven →