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VBA posts record number of plumbers for 2022-23

The VBA posted a record 30,942 Victorian plumbers in 2022-23, with more than 600 new registrations and licenses.

This represented a two per cent increase in the number of registered or licensed plumbers compared to 2021-22.

There was an increase in registrations or licenses in most plumbing classes, with gas fitting work (3.7 per cent increase) and water supply work (2.6 per cent increase) the most notable.

Overall, the VBA registered or licensed 66,104 building and plumbing practitioners in 2022-23, a 2.3 per cent increase compared to 2021-22.

The registration of natural person building practitioners increased by 3.5 per cent to 23,097, while the number of building company practitioners growing by one per cent to 12,065.

Changes to the Building Regulations announced in 2017 resulted in the Domestic Builder – Manager (DB-M) registration class being phased out on 30 June 2022.

Following the transfer of the registration of engineers from the VBA to the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) on 1 July 2021, the VBA continues to provide endorsement for the increasing numbers of registered engineers who wish to work in the building industry.

The VBA recorded 4,245 engineer endorsements, a 15 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The VBA continued to inform prospective building practitioners about registration through 18 preregistration webinars in 2022-23. More than 550 participants attended these sessions, which provided a clear understanding of the requirements for registration and licensing.