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What is Notifiable Work

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Notifiable work is a category of plumbing and drainage work which allows a plumber or drainer to perform the work without a local government permit or mandatory inspections. It includes most work performed in existing homes and limited work on commercial buildings. All regulated plumbing and drainage work including permit, notifiable or minor works, must be performed by a QBCC licensed plumbing or drainer

How do I register Notifiable Work?

If you are carrying out Notifiable Work you must register a Form 4/4A to the QBCC within 10 business days of when the work is finished or when an invoice is issued.

You can register notifiable work (form 4/4A) with the QBCC both electronically or manually. For more information on how to register notifiable work see Register notifiable work (form 4/4A). If the work is being done for or by a public sector entity see Notifiable work for Public Sector Entities for more information.

Categories of notifiable work

The categories of notifiable work have been amended to provide clarity and improve usability for plumbers and drainers. Refer to Schedule 1 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.

Categories of Notifiable Work
1	Extending etc. supply pipes Work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing supply pipes, other than supply pipes for a fire service, if the work is for: an existing building; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
2	Fire services Work necessary for extending or removing a fire service, if the work is: associated with a building development approval under the Building Act 1975, schedule 2; and for an existing class 2 to 9 building.
3	Existing sanitary plumbing Work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing sanitary plumbing, if the work is for an existing building.
4	Existing sanitary drainage work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing sanitary drainage, other than a combined sanitary drain, if the work is for: an existing class 1 or 10 building or structure; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
5	Temperature control devices Work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a temperature control device, if the work is for: an existing building; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
6	Water heaters Work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a water heater, if the work is for: an existing building; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
7	Backflow prevention devices Work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a testable backflow prevention device or a dual check valve with atmospheric port, if the work is for: an existing building; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
8	Greywater treatment plants Work necessary for: installing a greywater use facility that includes a greywater treatment plant in a sewered area, if the premises where the facility is proposed to be installed generates no more than 3kL of greywater a day; or replacing a greywater treatment plant.
9	Fixtures for class 1 or 10 buildings Work necessary for installing or relocating a fixture, if the work is for: an existing class 1 or 10 building or structure; or an extension to an existing class 1 building; or a structure for an existing class 1 building.
10	Fixtures for class 2 to 9 buildings of 1 or 2 storeys Work, other than for sanitary drainage, necessary for installing or relocating a fixture, if the work is for an existing class 2 to 9 building of 1 or 2 storeys above ground.
11	Sanitary drains Work necessary for sealing a sanitary drain upstream from the connection point for a treatment plant or a service provider’s sewerage system, if the work is for an existing building.
12	Sealing supply pipes Work necessary for sealing a supply pipe downstream from a water meter, if the work is for an existing class 2 to 9 building.

Who is the relevant person?

The legislation states that a relevant person means a person who is responsible for:

work being done for or by a public sector entity
the licensed contractor supervising the carrying out of, or directing another person to carry out, the work, whether or not the contractor is also a licensee for the work
the person who supervises the carrying out of, or directs another person to carry out the work
the licensee who carries out the work.

If there are multiple licensees, one licensee (as the responsible person for the work) registers the notifiable work (Form 4/4A) on behalf of the other licensees. You can list as many people as necessary in the 'licensed person who did the work' section so the details of all licensees involved are recorded.

Can I nominate someone to register Notifiable work on my behalf?

Yes, as the licence holder, you can organise for a nominated representative to register Notifiable Work on your behalf. This can be a family member involved in the plumbing business or an employed administrator. Find more information by accessing Notifiable Work (Form 4/4A) Submission – Plumber and Drainer User Guide.

Avoiding penalties

The QBCC can audit licensees to investigate whether they have been complying with the requirements of notifiable work.

A maximum penalty of 60 penalty units can be applied for failure to register notifiable work. .

Find out what happens during an approved audit program and view a list of the most common mistakes with tips to help you get things right the first time.