plumbing license vic
Aug 30th 2009, 3:02 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 257
plumbing license vic
has any one from the Uk gained there plumbing and gas license recently from victoria PIC, if so could you give details on what you went through.
Thanks
Ronnie
Thanks
Ronnie
Aug 31st 2009, 1:34 pm
#2
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,019
Re: plumbing license vic
I renewed mine last week... do a search on my name & you can read the full story 
But as a general recap ...... please bear in mind I was an apprentice qualified Gas Service Engineer (BGas) in 1980 
I suggest you make an appointment to go & see them with all your existing licenses / registration paperwork like I did. I dropped 36 seperate certificates of competency on their desk, including my Approved Plumber status from Anglian Water, OFTEC and CORGI, all my self employment qualifications ( I had run my own plumbing/heating business in the UK for over 10 years with 5 full time lads and 20 odd contractors). They sorted through them and accepted/ recognised about 10 of them.
I had to undergo a practical test at the local tafe, real basic stuff - soundness test burner pressure test, strip & service a warm air unit ( the tip here is they expect to see you touch the gas pipe/appliance with a neon test screwdriver BEFORE you handle it
), and all the pipe work here is brazed not soldered. Don't bother bringing any pipe fitting tools.... they actually use 1/2" and 3/4" tube here NOT 15 / 22mm.......wasted a lot of room in my container bringing pipe benders and fittings that will NEVER be used
After that there is a multi choice computerised theory test at the PIC itself - Open book (AG601) which you need to book in for. (usual thing - fluing & ventilation requirements, testing for soundness)
ALL of the above allows you to have Gas Fitting Registration ONLY.
The application for a License involves another computerised test but this time they throw in bits about solenoid valves and thermoelectric flame failure control. Once you have obtained insurance and passed the test you are allowed to become "a licensed gas installer"
If you intend to install "wet" systems or Hot Water services you will also need to sit the "cold water" & "hot water" mechanical services test
For you to be able to disconnect & reconnect the electrics to the appliance you will need an "S" or "D" class electrical license...... 40 hours minimum training -you are not allowed to just sit the exam....... this course is usually 1 evening a week (4 Hours) for 12 weeks - week 11 is the electrical theory exam and week 12 the electrical practical exam......pass this and you can apply for your restricted electrical license
In a nutshell.......... expect to be out of work for at least 3 months whilst you are paying approx $6000 to various colleges / PIC and insurance companies for the privelage of being "re-trained" to what I can only describe is 3rd world standards....they've a bloody cheek when they've welcomed you over BECAUSE you're qualified........... PS the pay is crap...... I went through all the above then got a job that didn't require it
but I keep on "the register" --- $280 for 3 years registration, because I work in a related industry (industrial gases) I am not allowed the reduced registration rate even though we do not do Nat gas or LPG !
But as a general recap ...... please bear in mind I was an apprentice qualified Gas Service Engineer (BGas) in 1980 I suggest you make an appointment to go & see them with all your existing licenses / registration paperwork like I did. I dropped 36 seperate certificates of competency on their desk, including my Approved Plumber status from Anglian Water, OFTEC and CORGI, all my self employment qualifications ( I had run my own plumbing/heating business in the UK for over 10 years with 5 full time lads and 20 odd contractors). They sorted through them and accepted/ recognised about 10 of them.
I had to undergo a practical test at the local tafe, real basic stuff - soundness test burner pressure test, strip & service a warm air unit ( the tip here is they expect to see you touch the gas pipe/appliance with a neon test screwdriver BEFORE you handle it
), and all the pipe work here is brazed not soldered. Don't bother bringing any pipe fitting tools.... they actually use 1/2" and 3/4" tube here NOT 15 / 22mm.......wasted a lot of room in my container bringing pipe benders and fittings that will NEVER be used After that there is a multi choice computerised theory test at the PIC itself - Open book (AG601) which you need to book in for. (usual thing - fluing & ventilation requirements, testing for soundness)
ALL of the above allows you to have Gas Fitting Registration ONLY.
The application for a License involves another computerised test but this time they throw in bits about solenoid valves and thermoelectric flame failure control. Once you have obtained insurance and passed the test you are allowed to become "a licensed gas installer"
If you intend to install "wet" systems or Hot Water services you will also need to sit the "cold water" & "hot water" mechanical services test
For you to be able to disconnect & reconnect the electrics to the appliance you will need an "S" or "D" class electrical license...... 40 hours minimum training -you are not allowed to just sit the exam....... this course is usually 1 evening a week (4 Hours) for 12 weeks - week 11 is the electrical theory exam and week 12 the electrical practical exam......pass this and you can apply for your restricted electrical license
In a nutshell.......... expect to be out of work for at least 3 months whilst you are paying approx $6000 to various colleges / PIC and insurance companies for the privelage of being "re-trained" to what I can only describe is 3rd world standards....they've a bloody cheek when they've welcomed you over BECAUSE you're qualified........... PS the pay is crap...... I went through all the above then got a job that didn't require it
but I keep on "the register" --- $280 for 3 years registration, because I work in a related industry (industrial gases) I am not allowed the reduced registration rate even though we do not do Nat gas or LPG !
Last edited by Rossi; Aug 31st 2009 at 1:43 pm.
Aug 31st 2009, 2:23 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 257
Re: plumbing license vic
I renewed mine last week... do a search on my name & you can read the full story But as a general recap ...... please bear in mind I was an apprentice qualified Gas Service Engineer (BGas) in 1980
I suggest you make an appointment to go & see them with all your existing licenses / registration paperwork like I did. I dropped 36 seperate certificates of competency on their desk, including my Approved Plumber status from Anglian Water, OFTEC and CORGI, all my self employment qualifications ( I had run my own plumbing/heating business in the UK for over 10 years with 5 full time lads and 20 odd contractors). They sorted through them and accepted/ recognised about 10 of them.
I had to undergo a practical test at the local tafe, real basic stuff - soundness test burner pressure test, strip & service a warm air unit ( the tip here is they expect to see you touch the gas pipe/appliance with a neon test screwdriver BEFORE you handle it), and all the pipe work here is brazed not soldered. Don't bother bringing any pipe fitting tools.... they actually use 1/2" and 3/4" tube here NOT 15 / 22mm.......wasted a lot of room in my container bringing pipe benders and fittings that will NEVER be used
After that there is a multi choice computerised theory test at the PIC itself - Open book (AG601) which you need to book in for. (usual thing - fluing & ventilation requirements, testing for soundness)
ALL of the above allows you to have Gas Fitting Registration ONLY.
The application for a License involves another computerised test but this time they throw in bits about solenoid valves and thermoelectric flame failure control. Once you have obtained insurance and passed the test you are allowed to become "a licensed gas installer"
If you intend to install "wet" systems or Hot Water services you will also need to sit the "cold water" & "hot water" mechanical services test
For you to be able to disconnect & reconnect the electrics to the appliance you will need an "S" or "D" class electrical license...... 40 hours minimum training -you are not allowed to just sit the exam....... this course is usually 1 evening a week (4 Hours) for 12 weeks - week 11 is the electrical theory exam and week 12 the electrical practical exam......pass this and you can apply for your restricted electrical license
In a nutshell.......... expect to be out of work for at least 3 months whilst you are paying approx $6000 to various colleges / PIC and insurance companies for the privelage of being "re-trained" to what I can only describe is 3rd world standards....they've a bloody cheek when they've welcomed you over BECAUSE you're qualified........... PS the pay is crap...... I went through all the above then got a job that didn't require it but I keep on "the register" --- $280 for 3 years registration, because I work in a related industry (industrial gases) I am not allowed the reduced registration rate even though we do not do Nat gas or LPG !
But as a general recap ...... please bear in mind I was an apprentice qualified Gas Service Engineer (BGas) in 1980 I suggest you make an appointment to go & see them with all your existing licenses / registration paperwork like I did. I dropped 36 seperate certificates of competency on their desk, including my Approved Plumber status from Anglian Water, OFTEC and CORGI, all my self employment qualifications ( I had run my own plumbing/heating business in the UK for over 10 years with 5 full time lads and 20 odd contractors). They sorted through them and accepted/ recognised about 10 of them.
I had to undergo a practical test at the local tafe, real basic stuff - soundness test burner pressure test, strip & service a warm air unit ( the tip here is they expect to see you touch the gas pipe/appliance with a neon test screwdriver BEFORE you handle it
), and all the pipe work here is brazed not soldered. Don't bother bringing any pipe fitting tools.... they actually use 1/2" and 3/4" tube here NOT 15 / 22mm.......wasted a lot of room in my container bringing pipe benders and fittings that will NEVER be used After that there is a multi choice computerised theory test at the PIC itself - Open book (AG601) which you need to book in for. (usual thing - fluing & ventilation requirements, testing for soundness)
ALL of the above allows you to have Gas Fitting Registration ONLY.
The application for a License involves another computerised test but this time they throw in bits about solenoid valves and thermoelectric flame failure control. Once you have obtained insurance and passed the test you are allowed to become "a licensed gas installer"
If you intend to install "wet" systems or Hot Water services you will also need to sit the "cold water" & "hot water" mechanical services test
For you to be able to disconnect & reconnect the electrics to the appliance you will need an "S" or "D" class electrical license...... 40 hours minimum training -you are not allowed to just sit the exam....... this course is usually 1 evening a week (4 Hours) for 12 weeks - week 11 is the electrical theory exam and week 12 the electrical practical exam......pass this and you can apply for your restricted electrical license
In a nutshell.......... expect to be out of work for at least 3 months whilst you are paying approx $6000 to various colleges / PIC and insurance companies for the privelage of being "re-trained" to what I can only describe is 3rd world standards....they've a bloody cheek when they've welcomed you over BECAUSE you're qualified........... PS the pay is crap...... I went through all the above then got a job that didn't require it
but I keep on "the register" --- $280 for 3 years registration, because I work in a related industry (industrial gases) I am not allowed the reduced registration rate even though we do not do Nat gas or LPG !thanks
Ronnie
Sep 1st 2009, 8:41 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,019
Re: plumbing license vic
No reason why not.....
the only pitfalls I can see are the usual "starting up" problems i.e. suppliers and building yourself a customer base - you forget that you're relationships with merchants in the UK have been built up over several years, you should expect to have to do the same here, before you start getting any reasonable trade discount though.
Gas installations/ servicing in Australia is not seen as a specialist subject as it is in the UK and seems to be more of a sideline to the "plumbing"
industry.
the only pitfalls I can see are the usual "starting up" problems i.e. suppliers and building yourself a customer base - you forget that you're relationships with merchants in the UK have been built up over several years, you should expect to have to do the same here, before you start getting any reasonable trade discount though.
Gas installations/ servicing in Australia is not seen as a specialist subject as it is in the UK and seems to be more of a sideline to the "plumbing"
industry.
