Plumbing Mutual Recognition Application Address: GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1300 815 127 Fax: (03) 9618 9049 Email: regmail@vba.vic.gov.au Mutual recognition is based on an agreement between the states, territories and the Commonwealth working together through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), to grant equivalent licensing to plumbers across regulators. A website has been established to enable users to look up registration / licence entitlement in another state or territory, based on the currently-held licence. That website is www.licencerecognition.gov.au. To gain your equivalent registration / licence in Victoria, apply to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) using this Mutual Recognition form. If you do not have an equivalent registration / licence you can still apply with the VBA using the Non- Apprentice Application form. Introduction Key components of Victoria s plumbing regulatory system are the licensing and registration of practitioners, compulsory insurance, the self-certification of work and on-site regulation of plumbing work. All significant plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed or registered practitioner. All licensed and registered persons have demonstrated an appropriate level of competence in their field. Consumer protection is ensured with each licensed person carrying a mandatory minimum level of insurance. Each self certifies that their work complies with relevant regulations, standards and codes through the VBA s plumbing compliance certificate system, and the integrity of the system and work standards are protected through random VBA plumbing inspections and audits supported by appropriate sanctions where necessary. In turn, licensed and registered practitioners operate in a respected and transparent industry where training and skills are prerequisite entry requirements. Becoming Licensed or Registered If you carry out plumbing work in Victoria, you must be registered or licensed with the Victorian Building Authority. Section 221D, under Part 12A of the Building Act 1993, states: "A person must not carry out any plumbing work of a particular class or type unless he or she is licensed or registered by the Authority to carry out work of that class or type." The penalty for carrying out plumbing work, while not being registered or licensed is up to $73,805. Licensing Once a person is registered in a class of plumbing with the VBA, that person may elect to undertake the VBA s theory (licence) assessment to become eligible for a licence in that class. Licensed people in a particular class of plumbing may undertake all relevant work, certify the work themselves, and supervise / certify the work of other licensed or registered persons in that class, provided they have relevant insurance (see Information Sheet - Insurance). Registration A person who is registered may undertake relevant work for the classes that they are accredited in, but must do so under the supervision of a licensed person. The work of a registered person must be certified by a licensed person. Privacy: The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) recognises the importance of protecting your privacy. The VBA is committed to, and is obliged to adhere to the requirements of the Information Privacy Act 2000. A copy of the VBA's Privacy Policy is available on the VBA's website at www.vba.vic.gov.au or from any office of the VBA. Further information regarding the Privacy Act 2000 is available at the website of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner at www.privacy.vic.gov.au.
Information Sheet Plumbing - Insurance Address: GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1300 815 127 Fax: (03) 9618 9049 Email: regmail@vba.vic.gov.au Insurance for Licensed Practitioners A key component of Victoria s plumbing regulatory system is that all licensed practitioners must provide evidence to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) that they hold the relevant insurance before the VBA may issue or renew a plumbing licence. Why do licensed practitioners need insurance? Sections 221M and 221Qof the Building Act 1993 requires that the VBA only issue a licence to a person who is covered by the "required insurance." As self-certifiers of their work, licensed practitioners are responsible for their work. It is essential for both practitioners and the public that they carry adequate insurance protection. Just as the public need to be protected, the assets of a licensed practitioner also need to be protected. What is the required insurance? The required insurance is a minimum level of insurance which has been prescribed by the Victorian Government in 2 separate Ministerial Orders; licensed persons may elect to take a greater level of insurance than that prescribed: Ministerial Order Licensed Plumbers General Insurance Order signed by the Minister on 20th June 2002 prescribes the minimum insurance required by all licensed persons (except those licensed in Type B Gasfitting). Ministerial Order Licensed Plumbers (Type B Gasfitting work) Insurance Order signed by the Minister on 20th June 2002 prescribes the minimum insurance required by all persons who are licensed in Type B Gasfitting. Where a person is seeking to be licensed in Type B Gasfitting and any other class of plumbing, that person must have insurance which complies with both Ministerial Orders. A copy of the Ministerial Order is available from the Information Victoria Bookshop at 356 Collins Street Melbourne (1300 366 356). It may also be accessed through the Plumbing Industry Commission s website at www.vba.vic.gov.au. Can a plumbing licence be issued before the insurance is issued? No. The Act requires that the VBA ensures that the applicant has complying insurance prior to the licence being issued. What does the VBA require as evidence of insurance? Prior to the issue of a plumbing licence, VBA operators are instructed that they must receive a Certificate of Currency (not offers of insurance, or other insurance documents) which: Includes the name of the person who is to be licensed - as the insured (i.e. not just a company name). States the period of insurance (the licence can only be issued for the insured period), the name of insurer and policy number. Includes the notation - this insurance complies with all the requirements of the Ministerial Order Licensed Plumbers General Insurance Order dated 20th June 2002 - OR - in respect of Type B Gasfitting, - this insurance complies with all the requirements of the Ministerial Order Licensed Plumbers (Type B Gasfitting work) Insurance Order dated 20th June 2002
Insurance for Licensed Practitioners The following list of insurers and/or insurance brokers have either (a) advised the VBA that they provide insurance which complies with the requirements of the insurance ministerial orders for licensed persons, OR (b) have been observed by the VBA to provide a complying insurance policy. All persons considering an application for a licence should familiarise themselves with their own insurance requirements, and those of the Ministerial Order. The VBA advises all licensed practitioners to seek their own independent insurance advice. Neither the VBA, nor its employees are in a position to provide insurance advice. The list is provided as a service to persons who intend to seek the issue of a licence with the VBA. It does not constitute an endorsement by the VBA. Other organisations may also provide a complying insurance product. Arrowsmith & Petruccelli Insurance Brokers Address 679 Boronia Rd, Wantirna South 3152 Phone 9887 2777 Atia Insurance Brokers Address Level 7/406 Collins St, Melbourne 3000 Phone 9642 4622 Atlantic Insurance Brokers Address 102/486-490 Whitehorse Rd, Surrey Hills 3127 Phone 9836 3733 Fraser & Associates Insurance Brokers PO Box 574, Croydon 3136 Phone 9725 9142 GIO Phone 131 010 IPSM Insurance Agents PO Box 292, Werribee 3030 Phone 9731 0855 James Wiltshire Pty Ltd Address 226 Charman Rd, Cheltenham 3192 PO Box 2582 Cheltenham VIC 3192 Phone 9584 5433 Fax 9584 2624 Johansen Insurance Brokers Wangaratta Address 47 Ovens St, Wangaratta 3677 Phone 5721 7655 Johansen Insurance Brokers Bendigo Address 41 Hopetoun St, Bendigo 3550 Phone 5443 6533 Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers Phone 1300 300 511 McCormick Harris Insurance Brokers Address 422 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo 3550 Phone 5438 1666 McNair-Hurle La Trobe Insurance Brokers Address 205 Princess Dr, Morwell 3840 Phone 5134 1933 PBS Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd Address Suite 1, 43 Railway Rd, Blackburn 3130 Phone 1800 670 411 QBE Australia Ltd. Phone 9246 2666 or 133 723 Roderick Insurance Brokers Address 116 Yarra St, Geelong Phone 5226 5999 Suncorp Phone 13 11 55 Vero Insurance Phone 13 18 13 Victorian Risk Management Insurance Services Address 22/1253 Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham VIC 3192 Wesfarmers Federation Insurance Address 369 High St, Kew 3101 Phone 9342 1285 Willis Australia Ltd Address Level 5/570 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 Phone 8681 9800 Windsor Management Insurance Brokers Address 479-481 King St, West Melbourne 3003 Phone 9320 8535 Your Insurance Group PO Box 2068 Kew 3101 Phone 1300 855 058 Zurich Phone 132 687
Plumbing Mutual Recognition Application Form Building Act 1993 Address: GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1300 815 127 Fax: (03) 9618 9049 Email: regmail@vba.vic.gov.au I hereby apply for accreditation with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) using my accreditation from a regulator in another state or territory of Australia or from New Zealand - as the basis of my registration or licence eligibility in Victoria. 1. Your Details First Name: Middle Name(s): Surname:_ Postal Address: Suburb: _ Post Code: State: Residential Address: Suburb: _ Post Code: State: Home Phone: Mobile Phone: Business Phone: Facsimile: _ Date of Birth: / _/ _ Email: 2. Accreditations Please give details below of your interstate / NZ plumbing accreditation Accreditation Issuing Authority: Issued Number: _ Country of Issue: Issue Date: /_ /_ Expiry Date: / /_ Categories: _ I have attached a certified photocopy of the front and back of my interstate / NZ plumbing card
3. Declaration Under section 221T(2) of the Building Act 1993, you are required to state whether you have: 1. Been Convicted of any offences involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence that was punishable by imprisonment for 6 months or more. Yes No 2. Been convicted of an offence under any law regulating plumbing work or specialised plumbing work. Yes No 3. Had your authorisation to carry out plumbing work or specialised work suspended or cancelled for any reason other than your failure to renew that authorisation. Yes No 4. Become an insolvent under administration. 5. Been convicted of an offence against section 12, 16, 17, 18, 20 or 22 of the Fair Trading Act 1985; or section 10, 11, 12, 17, 19 or 21 of the Fair Trading Act 1999; or section 53, 55, 55A, 56, 58 or 60 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 of the Commonwealth; or section 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 50, 151, 157, 158 or 168 of the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) or Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 of the Commonwealth. Yes Yes No No - If you have answered Yes to one or more of the above questions, please attach the details to this form. I declare that the information contained in this form, or attached by me to this form, is complete and true to the best of my knowledge. I give consent for enquiries to be made into any of the information I have given on this form. I hereby authorise the Registrar - VBA to apply for, and to receive my National Police Certificate as required by section 221(2)(ba) of the Building Act 1993. Signature: Date: _ / _ / Note: Section 221ZZZG(1)(a) of the Building Act 1993 provides that obtaining a registration or licence by way of fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of the facts in the information provided to the VBA, is proper cause for disciplinary action. Section 221V of the Building Act 1993 provides that it is an offence to give false information in your application.
Tax Invoice Registration and Licence Fees ABN: 78 790 711 883 Registration & Licence Fees Application Fee (non-refundable) $52.22 Registration Fee (3 year period) $327.90 Licence Fee (1 year period) $290.63-9 Month Licence Fee $217.97-6 Month Licence Fee $145.32-3 Month Licence Fee $71.94 Payment Details Please pay the appropriate fee(s) as outlined above, if you are unsure of the required fees please call the Victorian Building Authority. Payment Due: $52.22 + $ = $ Payment by Cheque or Money Order Cheques should be made payable to Victorian Building Authority Plumbing Account I have attached a cheque or money order to this Tax Invoice Payment by Credit Card Credit Card Number: - - - Cardholders Name: Type of Card: Visa MasterCard Expiry Date: / Signature: Date: / /
Photo Identification Form Address: GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1300 815 127 Fax: (03) 9618 9049 Email: regmail@vba.vic.gov.au All Victorian Building Authority (VBA) plumbing accreditation cards include a photograph of the holder. The Photo ID card assists all accredited persons to readily establish their identity, as well as their level of accreditation with the VBA. To produce your photo ID card, we need you to provide two photographs, fill in the details below and return it to any of the VBA s offices. If you have provided photographs in the last 5 years, there is no need to provide further photographs now. Your Details First name: Surname: Date of Birth: VBA Reference No: Passport Photo Requirements Photos are no more than 6 months old. Photos are high quality. Digital photos are printed on photo paper. Photos are at least 45mm high by 35mm wide. You are looking directly at the camera. Photos do not have any border. I have supplied 2 Passport Photos. If the above requirements are not met, your photos will be returned to you and you will need to provide further photographs that meet the above requirements. Attach Your Photos X Position centre of photo here. Please write your name on the back and affix with double-sided tape. X Position centre of photo here. Please write your name on the back and affix with double-sided tape.