Many New Zealand registered plumbers and Craftsman have asked "Can I work in Australia with my Kiwi Plumbing and Gasfitting ticket?" The simple answer is yes. To enable you to work in any state of Australia, you would need to apply for a plumbing licence with the appropriate Board in the state you choose to work and live in. You would be required to provide the Board with:

-completed application form
-$550.00 for 3 year licence and application fee
-national police clearance less than 3 months old (original or certified copy)
-2 passport size photographs certified on reverse by a competent witness
-NZ qualifications or licence information relating to your Craftsman Plumber eligibility (original or certified copies)

I have attached an application form for a Plumbing Contractor's licence to enable you to work in Western Australia.

Linkback: http://www.plumbers.co.nz/forum/plumbing-international/15/new-zealand-plumbers-working-in-australia/31/

Sounds like an simple and easy process $550.00 fee, fair price to pay too sign off all your own work,pick and choose your own hours,charge accordingly,so on and so on...This is for a craftman!

For a tradesman(Au)/registered (NZ) When a NZer comes to Aus to plumb,there's no tests no nothing!!!! simple transfer fee.. Start plumbing! plumbing & gasfitting! This trade is NOT BROKEN UP INTO THREE DIFFERENT FIELDS!! over here,as long as your work is signed off by licenced plumber..No dramas, Shit flows down stream,Hot is on the left!! sweet...

"BLOWS" My mind!!! For a Kiwi to come to NZ (His Home!) to work as a plumber,been away for so long ,Takes on a 3 year 6 months trade (Mature age at that) Cos Wooooooooork is so hard to come by over there, Too have the PGDB ,Tell me I have sit before a board,Wait 6 months for approval.fly to Wellington! sit three ,three hour exams , which the study books I were given related to NZ standards (AS/NZ 3500 ) a cost of $3300!!!! WTF!! How you like that 6" inch sewer pipe shoved up ya!!! thanks the call!!

Now!!!! Too by pass all this shit!!! have to go back to tafe wait another two years to get my contrators licence/craftmans ticket just so I can come Home!!! and be a plumber...A NZ plumber wont even consider me for employment..Cause I'm not NZ registered!! Not prepared to wait 6 months,resit tests,pay that amount of money......Soooo wrong..

Pull your head PGDB So wonder there's more NZers in Australia...a simple process made hard!!

Hey guys,

Found this thread whilst searching the net for latest info on NZ PGDB scandals. I left NZ a couple of years ago after finally (after 3 attempts) getting my full registration in New Zealand for plumbing, gasfitting, drainage.
 
Originally did some travelling around Aussie working form state to state in places like Brisbane, The Whitsundays, Sydney (Where my qualifications were welcomed with open arms). After finally settling down in Sydney i inquired about starting training again at the local unitec/tafe. I found that a registered NZ plumber/gasfitter/drainer will only take 1.5yrs of Night classes or 6 months of 1 day a week courses to complete what Aussies call certificate 4 (advanced) plumbing/gas/drainage. This is equivalent to craftsmen in NZ under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement. In other words, if your struggling with passing craftsman in NZ and you dont have any tie downs like family/kids/house etc. I would recommend trying this system out. Its also possible that you may not have to wait the intial 2 years before sitting craftsmen as you train whilst your time is ticking over. I have achieved the business and drainage qualifications in 7 months of Tafe, and have water and gas to go next year. To be honest they dont just give it to you, you have to study and know what your talking about, and the difference is they want you to pass and will help wuth all means possible. Its a hell of alot easier than the erratic exams set by the incompetent PGDB of New Zealand. New Zealand will always be home, and i intend on returning there in the future with a pocket full of cash and a fully qualified trade.

Honestly, Sooooo much easier to be a Plumber in aussie, they want your skills and your hard work. We stand proud as kiwi tradies, and its not a cash grab by government departments. Plus money is great, weather is awesome, beaches are perfect and chicks are smoking hot. haha.

Cheers BEN

www.thesustainableplumber.com.au

Hi Paul 7575 i am another uk plumber who has been through the ringer please send your details to jd 24hrs who is gathering all overseas details so we can have a say and get at the board and any other overseas plumbers you can find cheers chilly

Yeh  I am looking to head over to Queensland  - our industry is in a sad state indeed with PGDB running the show

Info here on Mutual Recognition: http://www.coag.gov.au/mutual_recognition/index.cfm#users

All the forms required to have my NZ certifying/craftsman license changed over here: http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/forms-templates/plumbers-and-drainers-forms.html

You have to fill out Form 28 which is the declaration witnessed by a JP and Form 21 - license application.

Fees about $150 from what I can work out - not sure if this is for 12 months