Plumbing and Drainage
Plumbing and Drainage
Information for plumbers and drainers
IMPORTANT - The arrangements outlined in this section apply to NSW plumbing and drainage inspections outside the Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and the Newcastle areas from 1 January 2013.
NSW Plumbing Reforms
From 1 January 2013 Fair Trading became the state's single plumbing and drainage regulator for all on-site plumbing and drainage work.
NSW Fair Trading has delegated inspection and enforcement powers to regional councils currently conducting plumbing and drainage inspections.
The 2012 plumbing reforms were part of a state-wide initiative by the NSW Government to provide a more consistent and effective approach to standard setting, on-site regulation and licensing in NSW.
As part of the plumbing regulatory framework, Fair Trading licenses plumbers and drainers under the Home Building Act 1989, and all plumbing and drainage work must be completed by a person who holds a licence, qualified supervisor certificate or tradesperson certificate. In addition, a system of on-site regulation ensures that NSW plumbing and drainage work is monitored, so it complies with technical standards and regulations.
What does this mean for plumbers and drainers in regional NSW?
For plumbers and drainers working in regional NSW (that is work outside of the areas where Sydney Water and Hunter Water are the water and sewer provider) you continue to contact the local council to book inspections, pay inspection fees, submit documentation and for enquiries.
Documents and forms
As part of the reforms, plumbers and drainers are required to submit the following documents at certain stages of the work.
Notice of Work is to be issued to the regulator no later than 2 business days before the work concerned is carried out.
Certificate of Compliance is to be issued to the regulator and to the person for whom the work was carried out, on completion of the final inspection.
Sewer Service Diagram is to be issued to the regulator and the owner of the land or the owners agent.
| NoW and CoC Form |
| Sewer Service Diagram A4 Landscape |
| Sewer Service Diagram A3 Portrait |
| Sewer Service Diagram A3 Landscape |
Work requiring inspections
What type of work should I book an inspection for?
By law, you must book an inspection for all work covered by a Notice of Work (NoW). In the Narromine Shire area these inspections are carried out by Narromine Shire Council Officers on behalf of NSW Fair Trading.
Plumbers and drainers in the Narromine area must book an inspection for:
- all external drainage including the point of connection to the Narromine Shire Sewer Main
- all internal drainage
- water supply work is finished and before cladding walls and or ceilings
- alterations and additions to existing drainage work that did not comply in any earlier inspections
- any work on an alternative water supply system (for example recycled water plumbing, greywater/blackwater treatment systems)
- when the work is complete (ie. a final inspection). This happens when all fixtures are fitted and connected, including correct termination of overflow gullies, inspection shafts, boundary traps, vents and inspection openings
When must I book an inspection
Inspections are generally required when:
- drainage work is finished and before backfilling or covering the installation
- a connection to Narromine Shire Council's sewer main is finished and before backfilling
- water supply work is finished and before cladding walls and or ceilings
- when there is a need for re-inspection or for an inspection of non-compliant work
- at the completion of all the work, ie. a final inspection
Trade waste applications, treatments and discharges
The Narromine Shire Council retains responsibility for trade waste applications, treatments and discharges.
NSW Fair Trading is the regulatory authority for the drainage to and from the trade waste apparatus. Council officers have been delegated the authority to carry out inspections of this work on behalf of NSW Fair Trading.
Recycled water
For alternative and recycled water services, additional inspections are required.
Rainwater tanks
Fair Trading has reviewed the requirements for inspections of rainwater tanks where the tank is collecting water from roof catchments.
Licensees connecting rainwater tanks independently of or to a potable water service are not required to book an inspection in the Narromine Shire Area if the work is carried out as Exempt Development under State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development) Codes.
The plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed plumber and comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia and AS/NZS 3500.
The licensee must issue a Certificate of Compliance to Narromine Shire Council and the owner as required by the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011. Failure to follow these requirements may result in a non-compliance and/or penalty infringement notice.
Narromine Shire Council will review the process at regular intervals and has the right to alter this process as it deems fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
IMPORTANT - The arrangements outlined in this section apply to NSW plumbing and drainage inspections outside the Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and the Newcastle areas from 1 January 2013.
When do these changes take effect?
The introduction of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 took effect across regional NSW from 1 January 2013.
Who will be responsible for carrying out the on-site plumbing and drainage inspection?
Narromine Shire Council (who are the local plumbing and drainage authority) will continue to carryout on-site plumbing and drainage inspections
Who do I call to book an inspection?
You are required to contact the relevant local plumbing and drainage authority, in the area where the work is intended to be carried out, to book an inspection.
Are there critical inspections for plumbing and drainage?
Yes, the licensee is responsible for contacting the relevant local plumbing and drainage authority in the area where the work is intended to be carried out to ensure that all critical inspections are booked in.
Who do I pay inspection fees to, and where do they get paid?
Inspection fees can be paid by the plumber, property owner or their agent, and are to be paid to the local plumbing and drainage authority/(Narromine Shire Council)
Who sets the fee structure?
Fees are outlined in Narromine Shire Council's Fees and charges on its website.
What is a Notice of Work (NoW)?
A Notice of Work is to advise the local regulator, of the plumbers and drainers intention to carry out any plumbing or drainage work.
One version of the Notice of Work will be used by plumbers or drainers across NSW. This will help in providing consistency and uniformity throughout the state.
The Notice of Work will be completed by the plumber or drainer (the responsible person) and provides the following information to the regulator:
- who will carry out the work
- where work will be carried out
- when work will be undertaken and estimated completion date
- the type of work to be carried out (scale and scope)
- intention for work to comply with (PCA and AS/NZS3500), and
- if an alternate solution is being proposed.
Do I need to submit a Notice of Work (NoW)?
Yes, the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 requires the responsible person (the licensee) to submit the NoW to the regulator (Narromine Shire Council).
What work requires a NoW?
A Notice of Work will be required for any plumbing installation downstream from the point of connection to a water supply and any sanitary plumbing or drainage system from the fixture to the point of connection with the local utility operator. The Notice of Work must be completed by the licensed plumber or drainer.
What is a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is a legal requirement. It confirms that a licensed plumber/drainer has undertaken work, which complies with current legislation and the relevant industry Codes and Standards. A CoC must be filled out for all completed plumbing and drainage work.
The Certificate of Compliance used by plumbers or drainers will be the same format across NSW. This will help provide consistency and uniformity throughout the state.
Do I need to submit a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Yes, as per the Plumbing and Drainage Act, the licensee is required to submit a copy of the CoC to the regulator (Narromine Shire Council) and a copy must be provided for the owner or agent for whom the work was undertaken.
When do I submit the CoC?
The CoC must be issued on the completion of the final inspection.
What is a Sewer Service Diagram (SSD)?
A sewer service diagram is a layout of the onsite house service line from the fixtures to the point of connection or the property boundary.
Who do I submit the SSD to?
An SSD must be provided to the regulator (Narromine Shire Council) and the owner of the land or the owner's agent.
When do I submit a SSD?
The SSD must be issued at the completion of the drainage works.
Where do I get the NoW, CoC and SSD templates?
These can be found in Narromine Shire Council's section for forms.
