When something goes wrong in your Melbourne home, it’s not always obvious which trade you need. Water and electricity often work together. Gas and plumbing overlap. Here’s a clear breakdown of what a licensed plumber can do in Victoria — and where their work ends and another trade begins.
What a Licensed Plumber Can Do in Victoria
Water supply work: Install, repair, and replace water supply pipes and fittings; install and repair tapware, mixers, and fixtures; install and replace hot water systems (all types); replace and repair flexi hoses, isolation valves, and supply connections; install tempering valves and backflow prevention devices; test water pressure and install pressure limiting valves.
Drainage work: Clear blocked drains and sewers (using drain machines, hydro-jetting); repair and replace drain pipes (above and below ground); install and repair stormwater drainage; CCTV drain inspection; pipe relining.
Gas fitting (with gas fitting endorsement): Install and connect gas appliances (stoves, heaters, hot water systems); run and modify gas pipework; pressure test gas systems; service gas appliances; identify and repair gas leaks.
Roof plumbing (with separate licence): Install and repair gutters and downpipes; stormwater roofing and flashings.
What a Plumber Cannot Do
Electrical work — when a hot water system requires electrical disconnection or reconnection, a licensed electrician must do that part. Refrigeration and air conditioning — requires an RAC licence, not a plumbing licence. General roofing work — repairing roof tiles is a roofing trade, not a plumber. Council sewer main — Melbourne Water owns the sewer main beyond the property’s connection point. Structural work — reinstating plasterboard, tiles, or flooring after plumbing access is typically a separate trade.
Who to Call for What
| Problem | Trade |
|---|---|
| No hot water | Plumber |
| Tripping circuit breaker on hot water system | Electrician |
| Gas smell | Plumber (gasfitter) + gas network |
| Blocked drain | Plumber |
| Leaking tap | Plumber |
| Leaking roof tile | Roofer |
| Leaking gutter | Plumber (roof plumber) |
| AC not cooling | RAC technician |
| Water stain on ceiling | Plumber (to find source), plasterer (to repair) |
Licensed Melbourne plumber — VBA Lic. 120392. Sedcon Plumbing covers water, drainage, and gas fitting across Melbourne. Call 0468 013 012 or contact us →