❓ Mr. Love inquires about the plumber and gasfitter 'service gap' across WA regions, comparing it nationally, and seeks data on overseas-trained professionals and assessment pathways. The Minister provides regional licensing data, acknowledges data limitations, and outlines assessment processes for overseas qualifications.
AnsweredQoN 566Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 October 2022
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Commerce; Science
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to jobs and trade data, including registrations of business licences, in reference to plumbers and gasfitters trading and employed in Western Australia. What is the ‘service gap’ between the number of plumbers and gasfitters sought and the number of plumbers and gasfitters currently employed in the following regions: (a) Kimberley; (b) Pilbara; (c) Gascoyne; (d) Mid West; (e) Goldfields-Esperance; (f) Wheatbelt; (g) Peel; (h) South West; (i) Great Southern; (j) Metropolitan South; (k) Metropolitan East; and (l) Metropolitan North? (2) How does the average state-wide ‘service gap’ compare to other Australian jurisdictions? (3) Can the Minister or department quantify the number of plumbers and gasfitters in Western Australia: (a) Of those in (3), how many have relocated to Western Australia directly from overseas? (4) Where can plumbers and gasfitters trained overseas be assessed in Western Australia to ensure they meet local guidelines and regulations prior to starting or working for a business?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 November 2022
Response time
9 days
(1) Licence applicants can provide either their business or residential address but do not need to specify which they are providing on application. Currently licensed plumbers and gasfitters either residing or with a business in each region is:
Plumbers:
Region
Plumbing contractor
Provisional Tradesperson Plumber
Restricted Plumber
Tradesperson Plumber
Kimberley
52
0
0
38
Pilbara
107
0
0
97
Gascoyne
19
0
0
19
Mid West
98
0
1
73
Goldfields-Esperance
53
0
0
48
Wheatbelt
131
0
4
81
Peel
221
0
5
201
South West
325
1
4
223
Great Southern
106
0
0
55
Indian Ocean Territories
5
0
0
5
Perth Metropolitan
2512
11
65
2442
Interstate
106
0
3
153
Overseas
1
0
0
8
Gasfitters:
Region
Gasfitting training permit
Gasfitting permit
Gasfitting authorisation
Kimberley
15
83
4
Pilbara
31
5463
6
Gascoyne
7
34
5
Mid West
13
200
4
Goldfields-Esperance
29
113
19
Wheatbelt
24
605
5
Peel
48
6
18
South West
78
135
21
Great Southern
20
188
Indian Ocean Territories
3
8
Perth Metropolitan
743
473
72
Interstate
2
235
8
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) systems do not allow for the breakdown of sub-metropolitan regions.
The total ‘service gap’ and number of plumbers and gasfitters sought cannot be provided accurately as there is no requirement for members of the community to register all requirements for a licensed plumber or gasfitter with the State Government.
(2) This cannot be supplied as there is no national definition of ‘service gap’ or current information sharing across jurisdictions on demand for plumbers and gasfitters. Establishing this across each State and Territory would be a significant undertaking and is considered to be an unreasonable diversion of Departmental resources.
(3) As at 1 November 2022 there are currently 7 223 plumbers and 8 986 gasfitters licenced in Western Australia (WA).
Plumbing Contractor
3736
Tradesperson Plumber
3443
Provisional Tradesperson Plumber
12
Restricted Plumber
82
Gasfitting permit
7811
Gasfitting training permit
1013
Gasfitting Authorisation
162
In addition, 14 interstate plumbers and six gasfitters have notified DMIRS of their intention to operate in WA under the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme since it commenced on 1 July 2022.
(a) DMIRS does not collect data to determine how many plumbers and gasfitters have relocated to WA directly from overseas.
Plumbers who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand can apply for a Provisional Tradespersons licence if they hold an Offshore Technical Skills Record issued by Trades Recognition Australia. There are currently 12 provisional tradesperson plumbers licensed in WA.
Gasfitters who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand are required to undertake appropriate training to be considered qualified for the grant of a gasfitting permit.
Plumbers and gasfitters from New Zealand can seek an equivalent licence under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangements and they are not required to undertake further training. The number of current licences issued using these arrangements is:
Plumbing Contractor
15
Tradesperson Plumber
35
Gasfitting permit
4
(4) Plumbers who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand that hold a provisional tradespersons licence must undertake a training course on local requirements. This course is delivered by MPA Skills and South Metropolitan TAFE.
Gasfitters who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand can undertake the required Certificate III course at Central Regional TAFE, MPA Skills, North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE or South Regional TAFE.
Plumbers:
Region
Plumbing contractor
Provisional Tradesperson Plumber
Restricted Plumber
Tradesperson Plumber
Kimberley
52
0
0
38
Pilbara
107
0
0
97
Gascoyne
19
0
0
19
Mid West
98
0
1
73
Goldfields-Esperance
53
0
0
48
Wheatbelt
131
0
4
81
Peel
221
0
5
201
South West
325
1
4
223
Great Southern
106
0
0
55
Indian Ocean Territories
5
0
0
5
Perth Metropolitan
2512
11
65
2442
Interstate
106
0
3
153
Overseas
1
0
0
8
Gasfitters:
Region
Gasfitting training permit
Gasfitting permit
Gasfitting authorisation
Kimberley
15
83
4
Pilbara
31
5463
6
Gascoyne
7
34
5
Mid West
13
200
4
Goldfields-Esperance
29
113
19
Wheatbelt
24
605
5
Peel
48
6
18
South West
78
135
21
Great Southern
20
188
Indian Ocean Territories
3
8
Perth Metropolitan
743
473
72
Interstate
2
235
8
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) systems do not allow for the breakdown of sub-metropolitan regions.
The total ‘service gap’ and number of plumbers and gasfitters sought cannot be provided accurately as there is no requirement for members of the community to register all requirements for a licensed plumber or gasfitter with the State Government.
(2) This cannot be supplied as there is no national definition of ‘service gap’ or current information sharing across jurisdictions on demand for plumbers and gasfitters. Establishing this across each State and Territory would be a significant undertaking and is considered to be an unreasonable diversion of Departmental resources.
(3) As at 1 November 2022 there are currently 7 223 plumbers and 8 986 gasfitters licenced in Western Australia (WA).
Plumbing Contractor
3736
Tradesperson Plumber
3443
Provisional Tradesperson Plumber
12
Restricted Plumber
82
Gasfitting permit
7811
Gasfitting training permit
1013
Gasfitting Authorisation
162
In addition, 14 interstate plumbers and six gasfitters have notified DMIRS of their intention to operate in WA under the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme since it commenced on 1 July 2022.
(a) DMIRS does not collect data to determine how many plumbers and gasfitters have relocated to WA directly from overseas.
Plumbers who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand can apply for a Provisional Tradespersons licence if they hold an Offshore Technical Skills Record issued by Trades Recognition Australia. There are currently 12 provisional tradesperson plumbers licensed in WA.
Gasfitters who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand are required to undertake appropriate training to be considered qualified for the grant of a gasfitting permit.
Plumbers and gasfitters from New Zealand can seek an equivalent licence under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangements and they are not required to undertake further training. The number of current licences issued using these arrangements is:
Plumbing Contractor
15
Tradesperson Plumber
35
Gasfitting permit
4
(4) Plumbers who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand that hold a provisional tradespersons licence must undertake a training course on local requirements. This course is delivered by MPA Skills and South Metropolitan TAFE.
Gasfitters who have obtained qualifications or competencies outside of Australia or New Zealand can undertake the required Certificate III course at Central Regional TAFE, MPA Skills, North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE or South Regional TAFE.
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