Do I need a plumbing permit?

There are different categories of approval that plumbing work in Tasmania can be divided into, depending on the level of risk associated with that work.

While some plumbing works will be considered low-risk work that an owner or a plumber can do without approval, other works may be categorised as medium risk work that requires an application to Council for a Certificate of Likely Compliance only or a Certificate of Likely Compliance and a Plumbing Permit for high risk plumbing work. 

The categories of plumbing work are determined by the Director of Building Control. 

A summary of these categories can be seen below:

Category 1 – Low risk work that can be undertaken by an owner.

Category 2A – Low risk work that can be undertaken by a licenced plumber.

Category 2B – Low risk work that can be undertaken by a licenced plumber with notification to Council on completion of work.

Category 3 – Notifiable plumbing work. Work in this category cannot start until we receive a Notice of Work and a design of the proposed work. We will then issue a Certificate of Likely Compliance (Plumbing Work) (CLC). Inspection of the work will be done in stages set out in the CLC as Mandatory Notification Stages. Work should not proceed past the Mandatory Notification Stage until we approve it.

Category 4 – Plumbing work that requires a Plumbing Permit. Work in this category cannot start until a Plumbing Permit and a Certificate of Likely Compliance (Plumbing Work) has been issued. Inspections will be conducted in stages, and work cannot proceed until each Mandatory Notification Stage passes inspection by our Council Surveyor. 

For more information, please check the Director’s Determinations – Categories of Plumbing Work PDF