The Plumbing trades section of the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) monitors and regulates the safety and technical standards of South Australia’s plumbing installation industry.

Put simply, it governs plumbers in South Australia.

This page is aimed at plumbers who undertake plumbing installations, as well as businesses and individuals that work in the plumbing trade industry. Here you can find information on compliance, reporting, approvals, audits, standards as well as contacting OTR’s Plumbing trades section.

If you’re looking for technical regulation for larger-scale plumbing, water, and sewerage infrastructure, also visit our OTR Infrastructure page.

Expand each of the topic headings below for further information.

Plumbers must issue an eCoC to customers after completing any plumbing work. These are legal documents, required by law under the Water Industry Act 2012 and the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 .

Only people with an appropriate licence can legally fill out an eCoC and certify work.

Plumbers must provide a copy of the eCoC to the customer and the OTR within seven days of finishing plumbing work, except for:

  • changing tap washers
  • clearing blocked sanitary drainage pipework not exceeding 50 mm in diameter
  • replacing, altering, repairing, maintaining or disconnecting domestic tapware.

If the plumber has installed or altered in-ground sanitary drainage pipework, they must also give the customer and the OTR an ‘as-constructed drainage plan’ showing the positions and dimensions of pipework, fittings and equipment that make up the sanitary drainage system, within seven days of finishing the work.

Prepare, submit, and track your certificates on the eCoC portal

Penalties for not issuing an eCoC include warnings, disciplinary interviews, fines, and potential legal action under the Water Industry Act 2012.

  • Training and support can also be found in the eCoC section on the OTR main page.

If you are concerned that a plumbing installation has not been completed to relevant codes and standards, you can submit a request for investigation from the Plumbing trades section.

To request an investigation

Advisory notes are produced by the OTR Plumbing trades section to help plumbers understand their requirements under the law for onsite plumbing installations.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2016

  • Final audits on-site (PDF, 44.1 KB)
    Issued December 2016
    The OTR conducts final audits of on-site plumbing installations to make sure they comply with the plumbing standard published under section 66 of the Water Industry Act 2012.
  • Supporting in-ground sanitary plumbing and drainage pipework (PDF, 206.4 KB)
    Issued October 2016
    This advisory note clarifies the support needed for in-ground sanitary plumbing and drainage pipework.
  • Heated water services standards update (PDF, 575.8 KB)
    Issued May 2016
    Plumbers need to be aware that significant changes have been made to AS/NZS 3500.4:2015, which sets out the requirements for designing, installing and commissioning heated water services. In particular, the changes relate to velocity requirements and to solar water heaters.
  • Legionella risk management (PDF, 546.8 KB)
    Issued April 2016
    Legionellosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacteria Legionella. While there is risk associated with Legionella in any water system, those that distribute warm water pose a greater risk.
  • Bath waste connections (PDF, 385.7 KB)
    Issued April 2016
    This advisory note is to address complaints made to the OTR from both the building industry and property owners about non-compliant plumbing bath waste connections installed in wet areas where there is no floor waste gully.

2014

Performance solution process

Relevant design practitioners who want to use a performance solution for a new plumbing system, or for alterations to an existing plumbing system, must submit reports on performance solutions to the OTR prior to installation. All submitted Performance Solution Reports must comply with the National Construction Code Volume 3 A2.2(4) (d).

Internal as-constructed sanitary drainage plans are hosted on the WebMap system

Finding a plan

The fastest way to search for a plan is using a street address - eg 77 Grenfell St, Adelaide. As you type, the inbuilt address finder suggests results that match your search. Clicking the appropriate search result or the magnifying glass will direct you to a map with a pin dropped at the appropriate address.

If you do not know the street address, you can also search by:

  • location - eg Adelaide Showgrounds
  • 10-digit valuation number (which is also the SA Water account number)
  • latitude and longitude - if you have a smart phone with a latitude/longitude app, enter the appropriate values into the WebMap search, starting with ‘c:’, eg c:-35.55322,138.54667
  • special sheet number, if an area needs greater detail, like in the Adelaide CBD - search in WebMap by entering ‘s:’, followed by the special sheet number, eg s:SP802
  • old SA Water plan number (GIP number) - search in WebMap by entering ‘p:’, followed by the plan number, eg p:GIP-1037509/425974230

Viewing and downloading plans

Plan on file - orange shading

If the search results are shaded orange, click on the shaded property area (not the green dot) and then click ‘find drainage plans for this property’. A drainage plan link will appear - click ‘download - tif’ to open the plan. Depending on the web browser you use and your computer settings, the image will either appear on screen or download to your computer.

The plans identify the positions and dimensions of pipes, fittings and equipment that make up the sanitary drainage systems.

If the plan you download has a book reference or VIDE number on it, additional plans are available for the property. Search in WebMap by entering ‘b:’, followed by the book number - eg b:86/4587.

Search results also showing plans for a different address

For older records, it was common for multiple property plans to be drawn on the same page of a record book. When these drawings were scanned and added to the database, they may not have been correctly split, which is why the search results bring up a second, incorrect plan.

Please contact the OTR Plumbing trades section if you encounter this issue, so we can correct it.

No plan on file - grey shading

If the search results are shaded grey, there are no plans available for the property.

Drainage plans may not be available if:

  • the property does not have access to SA Water’s main sewer line
  • a property was constructed or modified between January 1977 and July 1981, as plumbing contractors weren't required to provide internal drainage layout plans to councils or regulating bodies during this time
  • a plumbing contractor never submitted the drainage plan to the regulator.

Please note the OTR only holds internal as-constructed sanitary drainage plans, not water or storm water plans.

CD references on a property with no drainage plan record

A ‘CD’ symbol indicates that a property’s internal drainage system has a common drain. This means it connects to a drain with an adjoining property.

This will be most commonly found in the Adelaide CBD and older suburbs, as it was common practice for properties to use the same sewer main connection point and internal waste water drain in the early 1900s. These days, pipes must not cross allotment boundaries.

Finding pipes without plans

There are various ways to locate water pipes on a property, including using close circuit television vision (CCTV), metal detectors, acoustic pipe locators, radar, excavation and so on.

A number of plumbers specialise in locating drains. If you’re a property owner looking to find a licensed plumber in your area, check your local business directory (eg Yellow Pages), search online, or contact the Master Plumbers Association.

Displaying government inspection point locations

To display government inspection point (GIP) locations on the map:

  • Click 'legend' on the top right-hand corner of the screen
  • Check 'waste water' box

The SA Water sewer main lines and GIP locations will overlay on the search results map.

For further information

Please contact the OTR Plumbing trades section or email otr.pid@sa.gov.au.

For sewer and water mains infrastructure details, call Before You Dig on 1100 or visit www.byda.com.au

Backflow prevention devices must be installed and commissioned by a licensed plumber with backflow prevention accreditation on their licence.

The backflow prevention device commission, inspection and maintenance report (PDF, 164.0 KB) must be forwarded to the OTR within seven days of completing the work.

Fire safety installations are the safety systems required in commercial, industrial, and public buildings to keep people safe in an emergency.

The OTR Plumbing trades team must inspect all new fire service installations. This includes changes to existing installations. Inspections are not required for metered fire services.

Fire service inspection specifics

Fire services must have backflow prevention devices installed and commissioned by a licensed plumber (backflow prevention accreditation).

The inspection tests the fire service installation at 1700 kPa for two hours.

After two hours, the pressure in the internal system is released through the fire hydrant or fire hose reel. The gauge must return to zero once all the pressure has been released. The test fails if the gauge doesn't return to zero and the inspection will need to be re-booked.

An inspector from the OTR only needs to witness the last 20 minutes of the inspection test.

To make a booking

Book online using the Plumbbooking tab on the eCoC portal.

Further information about bookings can be found in the Auditing and inspections section below.

After the inspection

You will need to send the OTR both of the following documents within seven days of completing any further work identified in the report:

Turning off or recharging fire services

The plumber must contact SA Water to recharge the fire service once the system has passed the inspection test and the OTR has received:

  • a signed fire service installation report, including lengths and materials
  • a completed certificate of compliance.

Contact SA Water

Hydraulic designs for sanitary plumbing, drainage and water reticulation pipe work and equipment must be lodged with the OTR Plumbing trades section for:

  • any installation incorporating an interactive water feature and/or water playground
  • all building developments within the Adelaide CBD
  • commercial and industrial developments, including additions
  • residential developments of three or more floor levels
  • housing developments of three or more dwellings
  • any building that includes an alternative performance based plumbing design
  • non-drinking and drinking water for recreational and commercial/industrial sites
  • trade waste installations
  • residential sites (other than Class 1A) where non-drinking water is provided.
  • fire service installations for inground pipework and backflow prevention only
  • FPAA101D fire suppression systems

For developments of four or more levels, you also need to lodge schematic plumbing designs.

If you are unsure if you need to submit a plan, contact the OTR Plumbing trades section for help.

What to include

Plans need to include:

  • pipe sizing, venting, gradients, fixture unit loadings, trade waste details, backflow prevention, and temperature control
  • type of system (eg RVASS, fully vented modified etc), fixture unit loadings, and grades for individual stacks
  • a legend explaining elements of the design.

Lodging the plan

  1. Fill in the Hydraulic design submission form (PDF, 82.8 KB)
  2. Send the completed form, plans and any other relevant information by either:

Email

otr.hds@sa.gov.au
(attachments must be smaller than 10 MB)

Post

Office of the Technical Regulator
Plumbing trades
GPO Box 320
Adelaide SA 5001
(If the hard copy of your plan is larger than A3 size, you must also send a digital copy)

Fees

There is no cost to lodge hydraulic design plans with the OTR.

Who else should be notified?

You may also need to notify:

  • SA Water, if the design involves a new sewer or water connection, trade waste, or you are proposing to build over an SA Water asset or easement
  • water entity, if not SA Water
  • SA Health
  • Local council.

Please contact SA Water or the local council directly for more information.

The Guidelines for non-drinking water in South Australia have been designed for the plumbing and water industries, water industry entities, and property owners with a non-drinking water supply.

The guidelines outline the requirements and responsibilities for installing, operating, and maintaining non-drinking water systems per the Water Industry Act 2012, Water Industry Regulations 2012, and appropriate technical standards.

There are three parts to the guidelines:

Part 0

Helps with interpreting terminology and abbreviations used in parts 1 and 2 of the guidelines.

Part 1

Provides an overview of non-drinking water as an alternative water supply, and the requirements associated with non-drinking water infrastructure. This part includes legislative requirements, planning and design, implementation, monitoring, management, reporting and auditing for non-drinking water infrastructure.

Please also visit our OTR Infrastructure page for more information about water and sewerage infrastructure.

Part 2

Provides detailed information related to on-site non-drinking water installations.

Consultation on new guidelines

The OTR is seeking input on a new set of guidelines that's been drafted. Stakeholders are invited to review the proposed draft and provide comments or feedback to ensure that the updates of the guidelines remain relevant to the current needs and practices within the water industry.

For further information, contact the OTR Plumbing trades section.

Plumbing licence registration and terms

Workers in the plumbing industry must be licensed and registered to legally perform plumbing work.

Plumbing work must be certified in accordance with the relevant legal acts, regulations, and standards. A plumber’s level of registration dictates if they can certify plumbing works with an Electronic Certificate of Compliance (eCoC).

Level of registration

Approved activities

Ability to certify

Advanced Plumber

Can perform any plumbing work without direction or supervision.

Able to certify relevant section of eCoC.

Restricted Advanced Plumber

Can perform plumbing work restricted to a group or particular stream of plumbing activities without direction or supervision. For example:

  • Water plumbing work
  • Draining work
  • Backflow prevention
  • Fire protection
  • Irrigation work

May be able to perform other plumbing work while under the direction of an appropriately registered Plumber or Advanced Plumber who is authorised to carry out such plumbing work.

May be able to certify relevant section of eCoC for particular streams of plumbing work.

Plumber

Can perform any plumbing work under the direction of an appropriately registered Advanced Plumber who is authorised to carry out such plumbing work.

Not able to certify

Restricted Plumber

Can perform plumbing work while under a registered contract of training.  Supervision must be provided by an appropriately registered Advanced Plumber or Plumber who is authorised to carry out such plumbing work.

Not able to certify

The Consumer and Business Services is responsible for administering plumbing licenses. To obtain a license, a plumbing worker must be qualified and competent to carry out plumbing work.

Training

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a plumber or if you need to refresh your skills and knowledge, the following registered training organisations (RTO) in South Australia provide nationally recognised training in plumbing trades.

  • Master Plumbers of South Australia
    Phone: 8292 4000
    Fax: 8292 4040
    Web: www.mpasa.com.au
  • PEER VEET
    For rescue, resuscitation, first aid and other industry courses
    Phone: 8348 1200
    Web: www.peer.com.au
  • TAFE SA
    TAFE SA Information Freecall: 1800 882 661
    Mobile users: 8463 6300
    Business infoline: 1300 825 317
    TTY for deaf: 8463 6359
    Web: www.tafesa.edu.au

Industry events

The Master Plumbers South Australia (formerly known as the Plumbing Industry Association of SA) organises plumbing and gas technical sessions, where the OTR provides a number of updates.

The sessions cover a range of content that is reviewed and updated every year. Topics include:

  • audit feedback
  • incident feedback
  • appliance and component recalls
  • safety notices
  • changes to legislation and standards
  • problem solving scenarios
  • new methods and materials.

View the Master Plumbers South Australia website for upcoming events.

Licensed plumbers in South Australia can book plumbing and drainage audits.

To make a booking

Book online using the Plumbbooking tab in the eCoC portal or by calling the OTR Plumbing trades section. Bookings can be made up until the working day before the audit is required. For example, book by 3.00 pm Monday for an audit on Tuesday.

When making an online booking, you will need:

  • eCoC number
  • site contact name and mobile number
  • owner/builder name
  • site address
  • requested date and time of the audit
  • type of work to be audited.

Quickstart guide - MyPlumbbookings (PDF, 130.5 KB) provides step-by-step instructions for making a booking.

What happens next

You will first receive a booking reference number on your MyPlumbbookings dashboard in the eCoC portal when you complete your booking. The attendance of the auditor will also be advised in the MyPlumbbookings tab.

The below audit types will be notified in MyPlumbookings after 6.00 pm the day prior to the audit:

  • sanitary drainage
  • fire services (in-ground)
  • trade waste
  • final audits (including residential)
  • relining sanitary drainage
  • greywater systems
  • all commercial plumbing installations within the CBD
  • FPAA101D sprinkler systems
  • water utility meter connections

The below audit types will be notified in MyPlumbookings one hour prior to nominated audit time:

  • above ground sanitary plumbing
  • non-drinking water:
    • in-ground
    • in-wall
    • parks/recreational
  • drinking water:
    • parks/recreational
  • underfloor plumbing
  • vacuum drainage.

If you can't access MyPlumbbooking through the eCoC portal, the plumber must not backfill or cover up the installation until 20 minutes after the nominated Plumbbooking time - eg a 1.00 pm booking must not be backfilled until 1.20 pm.

Final audits

The OTR conducts final audits of onsite plumbing installations to ensure they are compliant with the relevant acts, regulations, and standards. Plumbing contractors must book a final audit for the following plumbing installations:

  • commercial/industrial
  • incorporate a performance solution
  • incorporate a greywater system.

If a final audit occurs, the plumbing contractor or their representative must be present at the audit and have all associated documentation available.

Final audit bookings for residential properties are not required. The OTR Plumbing trades section will contact plumbing contractors as required for a sample of work for final auditing.

All documentation associated with the plumbing installations (including eCoCs and sanitary as-constructed drawings) must be submitted to the OTR within seven days of completing the work. Final plumbing and equipment audits may include:

  • overall compliance with the relevant sections of the Plumbing Code of Australia
  • overflow relief gullies
  • backflow prevention (where required)
  • heated water services (including temperature control devices and energy efficiency requirements)
  • venting
  • non-drinking water installations (including signage, cross-connection and separation test, identification, loop and valves installed in the correct locations where required)
  • inspection openings
  • water industry entity water meters and sewer connection points
  • Watermark and WELS certified products.

For more information

The plumbing industry in South Australia is governed by a range of acts, regulations, and standards.  These include, but aren’t limited to -

Acts and regulations

The Water Industry Act 2012 and Water Industry Regulations 2012 provide the legislative framework for the regulation of the water industry and plumbing in South Australia.

Standards

The Plumbing Standard (PDF, 96.6 KB) was issued by the OTR under sections 66 and 67 of the Water Industry Act 2012.

Residential water heater requirements

South Australian Water Heater Installation Requirements (PDF, 61.2 KB) are issued as part of the Plumbing Standard published by the OTR pursuant to sections 66 and 67 of the Water Industry Act 2012. They replace the SA Water Direction dated 18 June 2009, which was issued under the Waterworks Act 1932.

Scheme for plumbing certificates of compliance

The scheme for plumbing certificates of compliance has been established by the OTR under section 69(2) of the Water Industry Act 2012. For more information, see Scheme for plumbing certificates of compliance. (PDF, 799.9 KB)

Auditing of onsite plumbing installations

The auditing of onsite installations is to ensure compliance with the National Construction Code Volume 3 (Plumbing Code of Australia).

Customer request for investigation

If you are concerned that a plumbing installation has not been completed to relevant codes and standards, you can submit a request for investigation from the Plumbing trades section.

Online general enquiry

Fill out the online enquiry form to receive a call or email back from the Plumbing trades team.

Email

Phone

Technical and safety enquiries
Fire services technical enquiries
Backflow prevention requirements - technical enquiries
Backflow prevention - property owner enquiries

  • 1300 760 311 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm)

Plumbing and drainage inspection bookings

  • 1300 884 055 (Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.00 pm)
  • Book online in our Audit and inspection section above

Compliance and regulatory enforcement

  • 8429 3293 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm)

Non-drinking (recycled) water - technical enquiries

  • 8429 2836 or 0448 095 976 (Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm)
    Alternative contact: 1300 760 311

Internal sanitary drainage plans

GIP locations and sewer or water easements

  • SA Water: 7424 1117

Trade waste pre-treatment requirements (industrial and commercial)

  • SA Water: 7424 1336

Post

Office of the Technical Regulator
Plumbing Trades
GPO Box 320
Adelaide SA 5001