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ARE ALL YOUR PLUMBING WORKERS REGISTERED?
If you employ workers who perform plumbing work for your business, it is a good idea to check that all of your staff members are appropriately registered.
Ensuring your new employee is appropriately registered when you hire them is one thing, but as an employer it is your responsibility to check that all plumbing staff have the right registration at all times while they are working for you.
Under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Electricians Act 1995 there are penalties for anyone who performs plumbing work without a worker’s registration or works outside the scope of their worker’s registration.
As the contractor, you could also be fined a maximum of $20,000 if one of your staff performs plumbing work for your business without holding a worker’s registration, and disciplinary action could also be taken in relation to your own contractor’s licence.
The registration requirement also applies to apprentices. All plumbing, gas fitting and electrical apprentices who have entered into a contract of training must obtain an apprentice worker’s registration before they can commence any on-site work.
Apprentices often need some assistance with obtaining the required registration and may look to you as their boss or other workmates for help. To obtain an apprentice worker’s registration:
• The training contract between you and the apprentice must be lodged with Regulation and Contract Management (RCM) for assessment. RCM is part of the SA Department of State Development.
• Once approved, RCM will notify you, the apprentice and also Consumer and Business Services (CBS).
• CBS will then email and SMS instructions to the apprentice to have their photo taken. Once a photo is provided, the registration can be processed and a registration card issued. There is no fee for apprentice registration.
At the end of the apprenticeship when all of the criteria have been met, the apprentice will receive their trade certificate and CBS will be notified. CBS will send the apprentice an email with information about how they can upgrade their workers registration.
If you are still unsure about what your apprentice needs to do in relation to their registration, contact CBS by visiting cbs.sa.gov.au then select Work & Business Licences.
If you wish to speak to one of our CBS team members, please phone 131 882 (menu option 4) or email occupational@sa.gov.au. Alternatively, members can contact Master Plumbers SA for advice.
08 8374 0132
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