Apply for Fire Protection restricted classes

The VBA has introduced eForms to create a more user-friendly and straightforward experience for people applying for a restricted class of fire protection work with the VBA.

Applicants will use the one eForm to apply for either registration or a licence in this restricted class.

The VBA has provided answers to frequently asked questions about the Wet Fire Protection equipment servicing restricted classes

What is the difference between registration and licensing?

Registration

For each restricted class that you are registered in, you:

• are lawfully able to carry out the scope of work for that restricted class
• must comply with the relevant standards for that class and the Regulations
• must have a practitioner who holds licence practitioner in either Fire Protection or the restricted class sign off compliance certificates for work that you carry out over the value of $750.

Registration does not authorise you to:

• supervise apprentices or other plumbers
• sign compliance certificates.

Licence

A licensed practitioner is expected to have additional knowledge and experience compared to a registered practitioner. For each restricted fire protection class you are licensed in, you are authorised to:

• lawfully carry out the scope of work for that restricted class
• undertake design work
• supervise apprentices
• supervise practitioners registered in that restricted class
• sign compliance certificates for work done by:
  • you
  • a practitioner registered in that restricted class that you supervised
  • an apprentice that you supervised.

To be eligible to apply for a licence, you must:

• hold the required insurance (or have your name detailed on a company insurance policy that covers that type of work), and
• have completed or sit the VBA’s examination of core competency units that must be passed before a licence can be granted in any class.

Before you start your online application

To help you complete your application easily, please have the following documents ready before starting your application.

CFA and MFB applicants:

• Your CFA or MFB accreditation number
• A scanned copy of a passport style photograph – this will be used for your VBA practitioner card if your accreditation in this class is granted
• A scanned copy of your drivers licence or passport
• Your current email address
• Your credit card for the application fee (note that fees are waived for CFA volunteers)

All other applicants:

• Certified copies of your completed fire protection competency units (see Fire protection - restricted classes for required competency units)
• A copy of your VBA approved examination results (required for all restricted classes except for the routine servicing of hose reels)
• A scanned copy of a passport style photograph – this will be used for your VBA practitioner card if your accreditation in this class is granted
• A scanned copy of your drivers licence or passport
• Your current email address
• Email addresses for all technical referees who will be verifying your experience in your application
• VBA practitioner registration numbers for your technical referee (if they are registered with the VBA) – you can access their registration number at Practitioner verification
• Log book entries of your experience
• Your credit card for the application fee

Your technical referees

You will need to provide technical referees to verify your work experience, unless you work for the CFA or MFB. We may contact your referees to verify your experience so please let them know you have nominated them as a referee.

Your technical referees will be required to complete a Technical Referee Report. Once you have the completed details of your work experience you will be prompted to send the Technical Referee Report to your referees. We will send an email containing a link and access code to your technical referee's email address to complete. Once all technical referees have completed their reports, we will contact you via email to advise you of the next steps in your application process.

Application process

Ongoing restricted classes

• Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of fire hose reels
• Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of unpumped hydrants and valves

Transitional restricted classes

• Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of pumped hydrants and valves
• Fire Protection restricted to the routine servicing of fire sprinkler systems

How to apply

After you click on 'Apply here' below, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address. Shortly after, an email will be sent to the nominated email address to explain the next step to take in your application.

Be sure to keep this email as it contains a link and access code that will allow you to login and commence your application.

Your application will be autosaved throughout the process. Upon completion, the application will then be returned you for finalisation.

Note:

• It is important that the email address provided in your application is correct, current and easy to access. We will be sending links and access codes to this email address as well as information about the next steps in your application process.
• If you are applying for a licence you must meet the additional requirements for licencing.

System requirements

You must use Google Chrome for when using this online form. Internet Explorer is not supported for the payment components in this form. If you do not use Google Chrome, you will not be able to enter your application payment details and finalise your application.

After you have completed your online application

After you have completed your online application form, a copy of your application and a receipt of payment will be emailed to you.

Once the VBA makes a decision on your application, we will notify you of the outcome of your application via email.

If we grant you accreditation, you will be required to provide:

• Credit card details for your accreditation fee
• If you are being granted a licence, proof you hold the required insurance (e.g. a certificate of currency) – find out about insurance requirements

Time allowed to complete each stage of your application

We will send you periodical reminders in each stage of your application until is it complete.  The below table sets out the maximum number of days you will have to complete each stage of the application.

If the stage of the application is not completed in the required timeframe, you will need to re-start your application from the beginning.