Plumbing
Plumbing work in Tasmania is classified into three categories, based on the potential risk to public health and safety:
- Low Risk Plumbing Work
- Medium Risk Plumbing Work (Notifiable Work)
- High Risk Plumbing Work (Permit Work)
These categories are defined by the Director of Building Control from Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS), within the Department of Justice. The official guidance is outlined in a Director’s Determination, which sets out:
- The types of plumbing work that fall under each risk category
- Who is permitted to carry out each type of work
- Which Low Risk Plumbing Work must be notified upon completion
All plumbing work—regardless of risk category—must be carried out by a licensed plumber, unless the work is minor and permitted to be done by the property owner. This exception typically includes basic repairs and maintenance and does not require a permit or a licensed plumber.
It is important to always refer to the most current version of the Director’s Determination, as it may be updated periodically. You can access the latest Determination on the CBOS website:
Do you need Plumbing Approval?
Whether or not you need plumbing approval in Tasmania depends on the type of plumbing work you’re doing and its risk category. Plumbing work is classified into four categories under the Director’s Determination, each with different rules for approval, licensing, and notification.
Understanding whether you need plumbing approval depends on the type of work being done and its category of risk. Plumbing work in Tasmania is classified into four categories under the Director’s Determination, each with specific rules around approval, licensing, and council notification.
Category 1 – Low Risk Plumbing Work
Who can do this work?
- The property owner
- A competent person
- A licensed plumber
What’s required?
- No council approval required
- No notification required
As long as the work complies with Category 1 of the Director’s Determination, you’re good to go – Check out Categories of Plumbing Work for more information.
Category 2 – Low Risk Plumbing Work (Licensed Plumber Only)
Who can do this work?
- Only a licensed plumber
What’s required?
- No council approval needed if it meets Category 2A
- Notification required – If the work is listed on the Director’s Specified List, the plumber must notify the council using Form 80
Category 3 – Notifiable Plumbing Work (Medium Risk)
Who can do this work?
- Must be designed by a qualified designer
- Must be performed by a licensed plumber
What’s required?
- Council approval before work starts
- Get a Certificate of Likely Compliance from a Plumbing Surveyor
- Plumber must submit a Notice of Work (Form 60)
- Inspections required at mandatory stages before proceeding
Category 4 – Permit Plumbing Work (High Risk)
Who can do this work?
- Designed by a qualified designer
- Installed by a licensed plumber with the right qualifications
What’s required?
- Council approval required
- Must obtain both:
- Certificate of Likely Compliance
- Plumbing Permit from the Permit Authority
- Submit Form 60 before work begins
- Mandatory council inspections at each stage
Still Unsure?
If you’re not sure what category your plumbing work falls under:
- Check out the Categories of Plumbing Work on this page
- Visit the CBOS website to view the latest Director’s Determination – Categories of Plumbing Work
- Or contact Council for advice
Categories of Plumbing Work
Under the Building Act 2016, plumbing work in Tasmania is managed using a risk-based framework. This approach ensures that all plumbing, building, or demolition work is performed safely and to standard. The Director of Building Control, part of the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) within the Department of Justice, determines the regulatory categories for plumbing work.
The Four Categories of Plumbing Work
The Director has defined four categories of plumbing work, each with different levels of regulatory control and requirements:
Category 1 – Low Risk Plumbing Work (Owner/Plumber/Competent Person)
This includes minor works that pose minimal risk to public health or safety.
Who can do this work:
- A property owner
- A competent person
- A licensed plumber
Note: This category only applies to stand-alone projects and cannot be part of a larger project involving higher risk work.
Examples of Category 1 Work:
- Maintenance or like-for-like replacement of existing tapware
- Repairs to toilet cistern inlet/outlet valves
- Replacing domestic water filter cartridges
- Septic tank inspections or maintenance (e.g., pump-outs)
- Replacing an existing water tank
- Unblocking fixtures with a handheld plunger
Refer to the Director’s Determination for the full list of approved Category 1 work.
Category 2 – Low Risk Plumbing Work (Licensed Plumber Only)
This work must be carried out by a licensed plumber and some jobs require notification to the council.
Requirements:
- Work must comply with the National Construction Code
- Notification must be made via Form 80 – Notification of Low Risk Work (Plumbing)
- May require as-constructed plans, as outlined in the Director’s Specified List
Examples of Category 2 Work:
- Fire hydrant systems or hose reels
- Pipework repairs for recycled/greywater systems (on-site only)
- Installing new rainwater or fire-fighting storage tanks
- New heated water installations
- Flashings for solid fuel heaters, roof windows, or ventilation
- Routine servicing of Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS)
Refer to the Director’s Determination for full details.
Category 3 – Notifiable Plumbing Work
This work must be done by a licensed plumber and requires a Certificate of Likely Compliance from the council’s Permit Authority before work starts.
Key Steps:
- Must be designed by a licensed designer
- The plumber must lodge a Notice of Work (Form 60) with the Permit Authority
- No work can begin until the Certificate of Likely Compliance is issued
- Inspections are required at mandatory notification stages by a council plumbing surveyor
Examples of Category 3 Work:
- Installation of new stormwater drainage systems
- Plumbing services for new buildings (Class 1 and 10) beyond Low Risk thresholds
- Increasing fixture load on existing services (above Category 2 limits)
- Plumbing for Class 2–9 buildings connected to a utility provider
Always check the Director’s Determination for specifics.
Category 4 – Permit Plumbing Work
This category includes any plumbing work not covered by Categories 1–3. It requires both a:
- Certificate of Likely Compliance, and
- Plumbing Permit from the council Permit Authority
Only licensed plumbers can carry out this work.
Refer to the Director’s Determination for full guidance on what constitutes Permit Work.
Examples of Permit work
- Installation of a new on-site wastewater management system
- Backflow prevention device
- Trade waste installations
- Pumped drainage systems for sewerage or stormwater
Stay Informed
Plumbing categories and requirements are subject to change. Always refer to the most up-to-date version of the Director’s Determination – Categories of Plumbing Work, available on the CBOS website:
Step-by-Step Guide to Lodging a Plumbing Application
Before You Lodge a Plumbing Application
Before you begin any plumbing work or submit an application, first check whether planning approval is required. This step is essential and may affect your plumbing application process.
Check the categories of plumbing work determination to see if the proposed work requires approval.
Lodging a Plumbing Application
For Notifiable (Category 3) and Plumbing Permit (Category 4) work, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Engage Qualified Professionals
The property owner must engage:
- A licensed plumber, and
- A qualified plumbing designer
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
You’ll need to submit the following:
- Plumbing Application – Form 3
- Full copy of the Certificate of Title, including the Schedule of Easements
- Certificate of Certifiable Work (Building and/or Plumbing), or Exemption Certificate from TasWater (if applicable)
- Hydraulic design that complies with the Director’s Specified List
- Include Form 35 – Certificate of Responsible Designer (Plumbing)
- Stormwater detention calculations supporting Council policy (if applicable)
- Onsite wastewater management design and report
- Include a supporting Form 35 (if applicable)
Step 3: Submit Your Documents
Submit documents by:
- Email: sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au
- In person: 47 Cole Street, Sorell
Tip: Label all files with the site address and contact person’s name for faster processing.
What Happens Next?
- Fee & Assessment
- Council calculates your application fee (see the current Schedule of Fees).
- You’ll receive an invoice.
- After payment is received, your application is reviewed by the Council’s Permit Authority.
Permit Process
Within 14 days, the Council will issue:
- A Certificate of Likely Compliance, and/or
- A Plumbing Permit, including a list of mandatory inspection stages.
If additional information is requested, the 14-day clock is paused until all documents are provided.
During the Plumbing Work
The plumber must:
- Submit Form 60 – Start Work Notification before work begins
- Notify Council at least 2 business days before each inspection stage
- Book inspections by calling Council on (03) 6269 0000
- Submit the following within 5 business days of completion:
- Form 71B – Certificate of Standard of Work
- As-constructed drainage diagrams
Final Stages
- A Plumbing Surveyor conducts a final inspection
- The Permit Authority issues a Certificate of Completion
Need More Time?
If your work isn’t finished, you can request a permit extension (usually in 12-month intervals) by submitting a Permit Extension Request Form.
If your permit expires before the work is completed, you’ll need to lodge a new application.
Forms
Building and Plumbing – Request for Plans 2021
List-of-On-Site-WasteWater-Site-Soil-Evaluators-and-System-Designers
Form 3 – Application for Plumbing Permit CLC Notice of Work
Form 60 – Start Work Notification and Authorisation – Plumbing Work
Form 71B – Standard of Work Certificate – Plumbing Work
Form 76B – Application for Extension of Duration of Plumbing Permit
Form 80 – Notice of Low Risk Work Building Plumbing
Water and Sewerage
Changes to the Building and Plumbing Application Process
As a result of the statewide water and sewerage reform, the process for assessing building and plumbing applications has changed.
If you’re building in a serviced area:
- You must obtain a Certificate of Certifiable Work from TasWater, or
- Your designer must complete an Assessment of Certifiable Works Certificate (TasWater) – Building and Plumbing.
If a Certificate of Certifiable Work is required:
- TasWater must issue a Water and Sewerage Compliance Certificate before Council can issue a Certificate of Completion.
If you’re building in an un-serviced area:
- A Plumbing Permit Approval may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a plumbing permit for all types of plumbing work?
No. Plumbing work is divided into four categories based on risk. Only Category 3 (Notifiable Work) and Category 4 (Permit Work) require council approval. Lower-risk work (Categories 1 and 2) may not need a permit, but some may still require notification.
How do I know which category my plumbing work falls under?
Refer to the latest Director’s Determination – Categories of Plumbing Work on the CBOS website or contact the Council’s plumbing department for clarification.
What documents do I need to submit with my plumbing application?
You will typically need:
- Form 3 (Plumbing Application)
- Full Certificate of Title
- Certificate of Certifiable Work or TasWater Exemption
- Hydraulic design (with Form 35)
- Stormwater detention calculations (if applicable)
- Wastewater system design (with Form 35, if applicable)
How do I submit my plumbing application?
You can lodge your application:
- By email: sorell.council@sorell.tas.gov.au
- In person: 47 Cole Street, Sorell
Be sure to label all documents clearly with the site address and contact name.
How long does it take to process a plumbing application?
Council typically issues a Certificate of Likely Compliance and/or Plumbing Permit within 14 days of receiving all required documentation and payment. Delays can occur if additional information is needed.
Can I start plumbing work before my permit is issued?
No. Plumbing work must not commence until you have received a Certificate of Likely Compliance, a Plumbing Permit, and have submitted a Form 60 – Start Work Notification.
Who can carry out plumbing work?
Only a licensed plumber can perform Category 2, 3, and 4 work. Category 3 and 4 work must also be designed by a qualified plumbing designer.
Do I need to book inspections during the work?
Yes. The plumber must notify Council at least 2 days before each mandatory inspection stage and book inspections by calling (03) 6269 0000.
What happens after the plumbing work is finished?
The plumber must submit:
- Form 71B – Certificate of Standard of Work
- As-constructed drainage diagrams
Then, a final inspection will be conducted. If compliant, the Council will issue a Certificate of Completion.
Can I extend my plumbing permit if the work isn’t finished on time?
Yes. You can request an extension (usually in 12-month intervals) by submitting a Permit Extension Request Form before your permit expires.