Technical advice and solutions
To protect the health and safety of VBA staff, practitioners and the broader community, our teams are now working remotely.
As a result, we are managing plumbing technical enquiries via email, at plumbingtechnicaladvice@vba.vic.gov.au. Please include your contact details.
- 0 Audit Roof Plumbing (PDF, 230.17 KB)
- 1 Sanitary Plumbing (PDF, 228.97 KB)
- 2 Septic Tank Installation (PDF, 228.62 KB)
- 3 Drainage Below Ground Sewer (PDF, 228.25 KB)
- 4 Drainage Below Ground Stormwater (PDF, 227.68 KB)
- 5 Cold Water Plumbing (PDF, 228.72 KB)
- 6 Hot Water Plumbing (PDF, 232.21 KB)
- 7 Mechanical Services – Including Duct Fixing (PDF, 233.13 KB)
- 7 Mechanical Services – Medical Gases (PDF, 227.97 KB)
- 8 Backflow Prevention – Medium and High Risk Only (PDF, 227.33 KB)
- 90 Residential and Domestic Fire Sprinkler Systems (PDF, 228.93 KB)
- 91 Grey or Recycled Water (Non-Drinking) (PDF, 244.89 KB)
- 92.1 Natural Gas Installation 93 LPG 94 Other types of gas (PDF, 229.27 KB)
- 92.2 Natural Gas Servicing Type A 93 LPG Type A 94 Other types of gas (PDF, 234.61 KB)
- 92.3 Natural Gas Conversion 93 LPG Type A 94 Other types of gas (PDF, 235.2 KB)
- 93 LPG type A 94 Other types Caravans and Mobile Homes (PDF, 229.26 KB)
- 95.1 Fire Protection – Commercial Industrial Fire Sprinkler Systems (PDF, 247.95 KB)
- 95.2 Fire Protection – Fire Hydrant Rose Heels (PDF, 227.29 KB)
- 95.3 Fire Protection – Fire System Pump Set (PDF, 245.37 KB)
- 95.4 Fire Protection (PDF, 246.84 KB)
- 96 Irrigation (Non-Agricultural) (Applies only to Pressurised Zones) (PDF, 228.31 KB)
- 97.1 Refrigeration Air Conditioning (Refrigeration) (PDF, 273.95 KB)
- 97.2 Refrigeration Air Conditioning (Split System Air Conditioning) (PDF, 274.08 KB)
- 98 Solar Installation (PDF, 232.57 KB)
- 99 Rainwater Tank Installation (PDF, 256.77 KB)
- Box Gutter Design (PDF, 692.39 KB)
- Changes to Mechanical Services and Refrigerated Air-conditioning work (PDF, 289.92 KB)
- Mechanical Services and Refrigerated Air Conditioning classes: New scopes of work and registration/licence requirements (under review)
- Fact sheet – Handheld sprays and water points adjacent to water closets (PDF, 810.04 KB)
- Fact sheet – Regulatory requirements for the laying of sanitary drains under buildings (PDF, 843.59 KB)
- Regulatory requirements for the off-site construction of plumbing systems (PDF, 416.46 KB)
- Overflow in eaves gutters (PDF, 743.19 KB)
- Overflow provisions for box gutters (PDF, 589.42 KB)
- Use of gas composite pipe in bushfire prone areas (PDF, 430.27 KB)
The following standards have recently been updated:
- AS/NZS 3500.1 – Plumbing and Drainage Part 1: Water Services (PDF, 209.9 KB)
- AS/NZS 3500.2 – Plumbing and Drainage Part 2: Sanitary Plumbing and Drainage (PDF, 206.8 KB)
- AS/NZS 3500.3 – Plumbing and Drainage Part 3: Stormwater Drainage (PDF, 275.15 KB)
- AS/NZS 3500.4 – Plumbing and Drainage Part 4: Heated Water Services (PDF, 246.36 KB)
- 0.01 Roof Plumbing - (Stormwater Drainage) Charged Systems to Rainwater Tanks (PDF, 510.21 KB)
- 0.02 Roof Plumbing - V-Gutters (PDF, 542.92 KB)
- 0.03 Roof Plumbing - Flashing Roofs to Walls (PDF, 621.85 KB)
- 0.04 Roof Plumbing - Roof and Stormwater (PDF, 709.95 KB)
- 0.05 Roof Plumbing - Sheet Roof Systems in Bushfire Prone Areas (PDF, 592.15 KB)
- 1.01 Sanitary Plumbing - Air Admittance valves (PDF, 538.13 KB)
- 1.02 Sanitary Plumbing - Thermal Expansion in Above Ground PVC-U Pipelines (PDF, 670.41 KB)
- 1.03 Sanitary Plumbing - Floor Waste Gullies (PDF, 653.62 KB)
- 1.04 Sanitary Plumbing - Installation of Fixtures for Disabled Persons (PDF, 790.86 KB)
- 1.04A Sanitary Plumbing - Installation of Fixtures for Disabled Persons Building Classes 9b and 10 Public Transport Buildings (PDF, 767.77 KB)
- 1.05 Sanitary Plumbing - Temporary Plumbing for Site Sheds (PDF, 404.48 KB)
- 2.01 Septic Tank Installation - Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (PDF, 644.76 KB)
- 3.01 Drainage - Bedding Drains in Stable Soil (PDF, 555.18 KB)
- 3.02 Drainage - Boundary Traps (PDF, 607.41 KB)
- 3.03 Drainage - Combined Drains Overflow Relief and Inspection (PDF, 663.18 KB)
- 3.04 Drainage - Refrigerated Cabinet Condensate Drains Connected via Tundishes (PDF, 475.2 KB)
- 3.05 Drainage - Drainage Overflow Relief (PDF, 529.06 KB)
- 3.06 Drainage - Drains in Reactive Soils, Unstable or Water Charged Ground (PDF, 468.76 KB)
- 3.07 Drainage - Low Risk Trade Waste Appliances (PDF, 1414.15 KB)
- 3.08 Drainage - Multi-Unit Developments (Excluding Multi-Storey) (PDF, 1370.1 KB)
- 3.09 Drainage - Property Sewerage Drains (PDF, 801.91 KB)
- 3.10 Drainage - (Below Ground Sewer) - Temporary Plumbing for Site Sheds (PDF, 397.15 KB)
- 3.14 Drainage - Vaccum Sewerage Systems (PDF, 570.81 KB)
- 4.01 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Bioretention (PDF, 518.26 KB)
- 4.02 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Reduced Grade (PDF, 550.57 KB)
- 4.03 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Temporary Plumbing for Site Sheds (PDF, 401.58 KB)
- 4.04 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Sizing Drains and Eaves Gutters (PDF, 933.99 KB)
- 4.05 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Charged Systems to Rainwater Tanks (PDF, 509.4 KB)
- 4.06 Drainage - (Below Ground Stormwater) Bedding Site Stormwater Drains (PDF, 695.98 KB)
- 5.01 Cold Water Plumbing - Cold Water Pipe Sizing Testing and Commissioning (PDF, 595.57 KB)
- 5.02 Cold Water Plumbing - Water Supply For Dental Consoles (PDF, 440.6 KB)
- 5.03 Cold Water Plumbing - Drawings of Typical Water and Fire Services (PDF, 949.56 KB)
- 5.04 Cold Water Plumbing - Hose Connection Vacuum Breakers (PDF, 495.31 KB)
- 5.05 Cold Water Plumbing - Hot Water from Cold Taps (PDF, 589.51 KB)
- 5.06 Cold Water Plumbing - Maximum Outlet Pressure Within Buildings Water Supply Flow Rates (PDF, 723.96 KB)
- 5.07 Cold Water Plumbing - Multi-unit Developments (excluding multi-storey) (PDF, 1370.06 KB)
- 5.08 Cold Water Plumbing - Rainwater Supply for Water Closet Cisterns (PDF, 764.04 KB)
- 5.09 Cold Water Plumbing - Rainwater Tanks (PDF, 991.22 KB)
- 5.10 Cold Water Plumbing - Temporary Plumbing for Site Sheds (PDF, 396.34 KB)
- 5.11 Cold Water Plumbing - The use of pipe tube (PDF, 477.74 KB)
- 5.12 Cold Water Plumbing - Transported Recycled Water for Irrigation and Commercial Car Washing (PDF, 612.82 KB)
- 6.01 Hot Water Plumbing - Achieving Hot Water Delivery Temperatures Dead Ends (PDF, 502.68 KB)
- 6.02 Hot Water Plumbing - Cold Water Shut-Off Valve (PDF, 518.65 KB)
- 6.03 Hot Water Plumbing – Heat Trace Cables in Warm and Hot Water Systems (PDF, 640.92 KB)
- 6.04 Hot Water Plumbing - Installation of Tempering Valves and Heat Retention for Hot Water Piping (PDF, 663.35 KB)
- 6.05 Hot Water Plumbing - Maximum Outlet Pressure Within Buildings Water Supply Flow Rates (PDF, 723.92 KB)
- 6.06 Hot Water Plumbing - Solar Hot Water Performance Requirements (PDF, 620.97 KB)
- 6.07 Hot Water Plumbing - Special Option for a Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve (PDF, 461.28 KB)
- 6.08 Hot Water Plumbing - Temporary plumbing for site sheds (PDF, 396.39 KB)
- 6.09 Hot Water Plumbing - Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve Drain Lines (PDF, 534.86 KB)
- 6.10 Hot Water Plumbing - Thermal Insulation of Heated Water Piperwork (PDF, 655.32 KB)
- 6.11 Hot Water Plumbing - Warm Water Systems (PDF, 1168.78 KB)
- 6.12 Hot Water Plumbing - Water Tempering Control Options for Non Storage (PDF, 427.09 KB)
- 6.13 Hot Water Plumbing - Solar Heated Water - 6 Star Requirements (PDF, 629.69 KB)
- 7.01 Mechanical Services - Solid Fuel Heaters (PDF, 480.54 KB)
- 7.02 Mechanical Services - Cooling Towers (PDF, 573.66 KB)
- 7.03 Mechanical Services - Condensation Drainage Utilising Self Sealing Devices - May 2019 (PDF, 380.11 KB)
- 7.04 Mechanical Services - Flexible Ducting for the Heating, Cooling and Ventilation of a Building (PDF, 874.65 KB)
- 7.05 Mechanical Services - Evaporative Coolers - May 2019 (PDF, 439.53 KB)
- 7.06 Mechanical Services - Heat Shifters (PDF, 728.01 KB)
- 7.07 Mechanical Services - Mechanical Exhaust Ventilation Systems (PDF, 546.37 KB)
- 7.08 Mechanical Services - Split Systems Air Conditioning (PDF, 950.91 KB)
- 8.01 Backflow Prevention - Backflow Requirements for Hydronic Heating Installations (PDF, 554.92 KB)
- 8.02 Backflow Prevention - Cross Connections in Drinking Water Supplies (PDF, 1144.93 KB)
- 8.03 Backflow Prevention - Transported Recycled Water for Irrigation and Commercial Car Washing (PDF, 613.25 KB)
- 91.01 Grey or Recycled Water - Transported Recycled Water for Irrigation and Commercial Car Washing (PDF, 613.18 KB)
- 91.02 Grey or Recycled Water - Grey or Recycled Water non drinking water supply (PDF, 606.41 KB)
- 91.04 Grey or Recycled Water - Grey Water and Recycled Water
- 92.01 Gasfitting - Allowable Leakage Rate for Existing Fuel Gas Installations (PDF, 426.01 KB)
- 92.02 Gasfitting - Connection of Commercial Catering Equipment (PDF, 470.95 KB)
- 92.03 Gasfitting - Commercial Catering Equipment and Residential Cooking Appliances (PDF, 547.74 KB)
- 92.05 Gasfitting - Natural Gas Type A Installations Appliances in Roof Space (PDF, 529.48 KB)
- 92.06 Gasfitting - Temporary plumbing for site sheds (PDF, 397.16 KB)
- 98.01 Solar Installation - Solar Heated Water - 6 Star Requirements (PDF, 629.65 KB)
- 98.02 Solar Hot Water Performance Requirements (PDF, 621.28 KB)
- 99.01 Rainwater Tank Installation - Rainwater Supply for Water Close Cisterns (PDF, 763.69 KB)
- 99.02 Rainwater Tanks - Rainwater Tanks (PDF, 990.38 KB)
Registration and licensing
- Knowledge and Experience – Drainage work (PDF, 417.45 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Fire Protection work (PDF, 295.49 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Gasfitting work (PDF, 279.99 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Irrigation (Non-agricultural) work (PDF, 233.5 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Mechanical Services work (PDF, 216.77 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Refrigerated Air-conditioning work (PDF, 200.54 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Roofing (Stormwater) work (PDF, 237.8 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Sanitary work (PDF, 237.18 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Type B Gasfitting work (PDF, 236.33 KB)
- Knowledge and Experience – Water Supply work (PDF, 257.47 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Drainage work (PDF, 197.24 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Fire Protection work (PDF, 224.02 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Gasfitting work (PDF, 194.19 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Irrigation (Non-agricultural) work (PDF, 196.65 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Mechanical Services work (PDF, 198.83 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Refrigerated Air-conditioning work (PDF, 190.42 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Roofing (Stormwater) work (PDF, 752.88 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Sanitary work (PDF, 725.59 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Type B Gasfitting work (PDF, 662.35 KB)
- Technical Referee Report – Water Supply work (PDF, 206.06 KB)