Hi Folks,

The OH has asked me to find out whether the pipework and fittings for plumbing are the same as in the U.K. For instance do they use 15 and 22 mm pipework.
He has a hoard of expensive plumbing bits to fit these size pipework and as he is shipping his tools he thought he might as well throw this in too (but only if the pipework is the same size!).

Any advise would be most helpful.

Cheers.

Debs

It's all metric. Whether the "equivalent" imperial fittings as used in the UK would be approved I doubt - but you'd hardly be bringing joints etc?

The pipes used are surprisingly small bore - our bath is fed from 15mm H & C! If we ever used the bath it would take forever to fill.

Cheers for that.
I'll let the OH know.
You know what men are like with their tools and DIY paraphernalia!
I'll promise him I'll ditch a couple of pairs of shoes if he bins his toolshed junk!

This is something I too would like to know.

[QUOTE=DJC;4927664]Hi Folks,


almost all pipes are a different size ,12mm 20 mm 25mm bin most of your plumbing tackle,it wont be any good here eg benders ,springs, pipe slice etc.not worth the shipping space,probably bring any good cordless tackle,any 110 gear dont bother no 110 on site down under, bring good quality drill bits most are shite or expensive here, most plumbing merchants stock good quality rigid or rothenberger tools

Cheers for the advice, Is most pipework in plastic (diy) or do ozzies work in copper (professional) with solder fittings????

I don't think they're allowed to use standard UK solder here - they are sh1t scared that the lead in it will kill 99% of the population overnight. So they use high temp solder and everything gets burnt to hell and the copper goes black...

Been following this thread with interest!

If you come across any British plumbers looking for work in Australia send me a reply - a busy company in Brisbane is looking for some skilled workers because of the short supply of plumbers in Australia.

most new houses are tubed out with polybutelene "profit crimped fittings"not push fit like in uk ,until recently copper was used but most builders are specifing poly with copper only being used a few metres before a water heater, and also on the gas supply .soft solder is not used all copper fittings are brazed using a rod and oxy torch, same as the USA and many other countries outside europe.most uk plumbers will get into the hang of tubing out quite easily,but it is far more physical than uk as all pipes are chased into the wall. over here you tend to be mixing mud "mortar" quite a lot as baths and toilets are set with it. last year a plumber called "scossie" on the forum said that plumbing here is hard work and believe you me he is very true.
good luck

On the plumbing subject, did anyone have trouble getting thier license?

Thanks very much for this info. OH said this has been very helpful. He also asked if a crimped fitting is the same as a compression joint in UK. Do you happen to know please, what size plastic piping is used in bathrooms and kitchens etc?
OH is not a qualified plumber but works in engineering. However, over the last 18 years we have refurbished many houses as a sideline and OH has always done the plumbing, kitchen fitting, electrics etc. but then brought in the necessary qualified expert to verify and certificate. We are moving to a very dated house in Perth and want to be able to carry out some of the work until we can get established and know who's who out there.
So any advise on what the differences are out in Aus as far as plumbing, electrics etc. will be very welcome as we are going in green.

Cheers to all that have contributed on this thread.

Debs

if its the same as new zealand then they dont use compression fittings,they use a flaring tool which flares the end of the copper pipe and forms a joint with a flared fitting.[quite impressive]

crimped fitting is a brand of plastic pipe which has a brass fitting the plastic pipe goes into it and is crimped with a tool , any old house is probably copper through out , word of caution many diy stores over here sell plumbing products to the public, this is not breaking the law . but diy plumbing is although many do it . there can be harsh penalities

just read thread today,got back from bris start of june looking for work,just paid first part to Downunder Emigration, very interested in any leads re work & whether my corgi gas quals are recocognised in Bris Queensland as Ive got domestic, commercial, industrial & catering nat gas quals, also is pressurised cyl & WIAPS quals recognised over there? fed up with running own comp in UK getting no where just hoping any one out there can help with work situation.
cheers ian.

DJC, your hubby wont be able to do any of the plumbing or electrical work legally you must have a license do do the type of work you are asking about, i know people are doing there own work the problem is if there is a mistake then your home insurance is Void, if someone gets hurt either with gas or electrical he will be in the courts and the penalties are very harsh, sorry to say