Permitted assessment reference materials – Plumbing classes

You may use permitted reference materials during your VBA exam or interview in the following formats:

Printed copies of permitted reference materials
PDF documents saved to your computer of permitted reference materials
Online version of the National Construction Code (NCC) from the ABCB website
A combination of printed and electronic formats

You are not permitted to use other file formats or platforms.

PDF documents

Download PDF documents before the exam date
Save the PDFs to a single folder on your computer for easy access during your exam or interview
You may highlight, tab, or bookmark PDF documents - do not add text or notes

If you are completing your exam online, your proctor supervising your exam will check the title page of each PDF document to confirm it is a permitted reference material.

Where to obtain permitted reference material documents

See Building regulatory framework for an overview of the Victorian Regulatory Framework

Acts and Regulations	Building Act 1983 Plumbing regulations Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
National Construction Code (NCC)	Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website
Australian Standards	Purchase from Standards Australia or your preferred distribution partner

You will need to refer to the current version: NCC 2022

The VBA will not provide copies of permitted reference materials.

You are required to use and prepare your own permitted reference materials.

You may use permitted reference materials during your VBA exam or interview in the following formats:

Printed copies of permitted reference materials
PDF documents saved to your computer of permitted reference materials
Online version of the National Construction Code (NCC) from the ABCB website
A combination of printed and electronic formats

You are not permitted to use other file formats or platforms.

You do not need to remove tabs or colour highlighting in your permitted reference materials, however you are not permitted to add extended notes to your documents

We recommend that you save all the required references to a single folder, and use document titles that makes them easy to find. If you are completing your exam online, you will have only one screen so you will need to toggle between screens. Practice using “Alt-Tab” to do this quickly.

If you are completing your exam at the VBA, you may use own laptop or tablet to access electronic copies of resources.

General plumbing – main classes & restricted classes

Registration exams

AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 2 – Sanitary plumbing and drainage
AS/NZS 3500.3:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 3 – Stormwater drainage
Code of practice – onsite wastewater management – Environment Protection Authority Victoria - July 2016 (free PDF download from internet)

Licence exams

The above reference materials plus:

AS/NZS 1547:2012 – Onsite domestic wastewater management.

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations Part 1 – General Installations.
AS/NZS 5601.2:2022 – Gas Installations Part 2 – LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsion purposes

This information will be published shortly.

Registration exams

AS 4254.1:2021 Part 1 Flexible Duct
AS 4254.2:2012 Part 2 Rigid Duct
AS 1668.2 2012 / Amdt 2-2016 - Part 2 The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings - Mechanical ventilation in buildings
HB 276:2004 A Guide to Good Practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Residential Heating, Cooling & Air Conditioning Plant & Equipment
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 Systems other than self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet)

Licence exams

AS 4254.1:2021 Part 1 Flexible Duct
AS 4254.2:2012 Part 2 Rigid Duct
AS 1668 Set-2016 (which contains the 3 x Standards below):
1. AS 1668.1 2015 – Part 1 The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings – Fire and smoke control in buildings
2. AS 1668.2 2012 / Amdt 2-2016 - Part 2 The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings - Mechanical ventilation in buildings
3. AS 1668.4 2012 – Part 4 The use of ventilation and air conditioning in buildings – Natural ventilation of buildings

AS/NZS 3666.1:2011 – Air Handling and water systems of buildings – Microbial control - Design, installation and commissioning.
AS/NZS 2918:2018 - Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – installation
AS 2896-2021 Medical gas systems – Installation and testing of non-flammable medical gas pipeline systems
SA HB39:2015 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding
HB 276:2004 A Guide to Good Practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Residential Heating, Cooling & Air Conditioning Plant & Equipment
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 1 Self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet)
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 Systems other than self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet)

Registration exams

AS 4254.1:2021 Part 1 Flexible Duct
AS 4254.2:2012 Part 2 Rigid Duct

Licence exams

The above reference materials plus:

SA HB39:2015 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding

Registration and Licensing exams

AS 2896-2021 Medical gas systems – Installation and testing of non-flammable medical gas pipeline systems

Registration exams

AS/NZS 2918:2018 - Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – installation

Licence exams

AS/NZS 2918:2018 - Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – installation
SA HB39:2015 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding

Registration & Licence exams

SA HB 276:2004 A Guide to Good Practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Residential Heating, Cooling & Air Conditioning Plant & Equipment
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 1 Self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet):
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 Systems other than self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet):
SA HB39:2015 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 3500.3:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 3 – Stormwater drainage
SA HB 39:2015 – Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding
HB 114:1998 – Guidelines for the design of eaves and box gutters

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS3500.3:2021 - Plumbing and drainage: Part 3 – Stormwater drainage
SA HB39 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding
Plumbing Regulations 2018

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 3500.2:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 2 – Sanitary plumbing and drainage

Registration exams

AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 1 – Water services
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 4 – Heated water services

Licence exams

The above reference materials plus:

AS/NZS 4234:2021 Heated water systems – Calculation of energy consumption

General plumbing: specialised classes

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 1 – Water services.
AS 2845.3:2020 – Water Supply Part 3: Backflow prevention devices – Field testing and maintenance of testable devices

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations Part 1 – General Installations.
AS/NZS 5601.2:2022 – Gas Installations Part 2 – LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsion purposes
AS 4575:2019 – Gas appliances – Servicing Type A appliances

Registration & licence exams

AS 4032.1-2005 Water supply—Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures – Thermostatic mixing valves – Materials design and performance requirements
AS 4032.2-2005 (R2015)/Amdt 2-2009 Water supply—Valves for the control of hot water supply temperatures - Tempering valves and end-of-line temperature-actuated devices
AS 4032.3-2022 Water supply. Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures -Requirements for field-testing, maintenance or replacement of thermostatic mixing valves, tempering valves and end-of-line temperature control devices
AS 4032.4:2014 Water supply—Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures -Thermostatically controlled taps for the control of heated water supply temperatures

Licence exams

AS 4032.1-2005 Water Supply – Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures – Thermostatic mixing valves – Materials design and performance requirements
AS 4032.2-2005 (R2015) Water Supply – Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures – Tempering valves and end-of-line temperature-actuated devices
AS 4032.3-2022 Water Supply – Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures – Requirements for field-testing, maintenance or replacement of thermostatic mixing valves, tempering valves and end-of-line temperature control devices
AS 4032.4:2014 Water Supply – Valves for the control of heated water supply temperatures – Thermostatically controlled taps for the control of heated water supply temperatures
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 1 – Water services
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 – Plumbing and drainage Part 4 – Heated water services

Fire protection: main and restricted classes

Registration exams

AS 2118.1:2017 - Automatic sprinkler systems – General requirements
AS 2118.2:2021 - Automatic sprinkler systems – Wall wetting sprinkler systems
AS 2118.3-2010 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems - Deluge systems
AS 2118.4:2012 - Automatic sprinkler systems – Sprinkler protection for accommodation building not exceeding four stories in height
AS 2118.5:2008 - Automatic sprinkler systems – home fire sprinkler systems
AS 2118.6:2012 - Automatic sprinkler systems – Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multi-story buildings
AS 2118.8:1997 - Automatic sprinkler systems – Minor modifications
AS 2118.9:1995 - Automatic sprinkler systems – Piping support and installation
AS 2941:2013 – Fixed fire protection installations – Pumpset Systems
AS 2441:2005 – Installation of fire hose reels
AS 2419.1:2021 – Fire hydrant installations – System design, installation and commissioning
AS 1851:2012 – Routine servicing of fire protection systems and equipment
AS HB 20:1996 (R2018) – Graphical symbols for fire protection drawings

Licence exams

AS 1851-2012 / Admt 1-2016 – Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
AS 2118.1:2017 / Amdt 2:2020 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – General systems
AS 2118.2-2021 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Wall wetting sprinkler systems
AS 2118.3-2010 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Deluge syatems
AS 2118.4:2012 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Sprinkler protection for accommadation buildings not exceeding four storeys in height
AS 2118.5-2008 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Home fire sprinkler systems
AS 2118.6-2012 - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multistorey buildings
AS 2118.8-1997 (R2013) - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Minor modifications
AS 2118.9-1995 (R2013) - Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Piping support and installation
AS 2941-2013 – Fixed fire protection installations – Pumpset systems
AS 2441-2005 (R2018) – Installation of fire hose reels
AS 2419.1:2021 – Fire hydrant installations – System design, installation and commissioning
AS HB 20-1996 (R2018) – Graphical symbols for fire protection drawings
AS 4118.1.1-1996 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Sprinklers and sprayers
AS 4118.1.2-1996 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Alarm valves (wet)
AS 4118.1.3-1995 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Water motor alarms
AS 4118.1.4-1994 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Valve monitors
AS 4118.1.5-1996 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Deluge and pre-action valves
AS 4118.1.6-1995 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Stop valves and non-return valves
AS 4118.1.7-1996 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Alarm valves (dry)
AS 4118.1.8-1999 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Components – Pressure reducing valves
AS 4118.2.1-1995 (R2013) Fire sprinkler systems – Piping – General

This information will be published shortly.

Refrigerated air conditioning

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 5149.1:2016 / (Amdts 1&2:2018) Part 1 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements – Definitions, classification and selection criteria
AS/NZS 5149.2:2016 Part 2 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements – Design, construction, testing, marking and documentation
AS/NZS 5149.3:2016 Part 3 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements – Installation site
AS/NZS 5149.4:2016 Part 4 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps – Safety and environmental requirements – Operation, maintenance, repair and recovery
SA HB 276:2004 A Guide to Good Practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Residential Heating, Cooling & Air Conditioning Plant & Equipment
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 1 Self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet)
Refrigerant handling code of practice 2007 Part 2 Systems other than self-contained low charge systems (free PDF download from internet)
AS/NZS ISO 817:2016 Refrigerants – Designation and safety classification
AS/NZS 1571:2020 Copper – Seamless tubes for air-conditioning and refrigeration

Type B Gasfitting: main and specialised classes

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations Part 1 – General Installations.
AS/NZS 5601.2:2022 – Gas Installations Part 2 – LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsion purposes.
AS/NZS 3814.1:2018 – Industrial and commercial gas fired appliances
Directory of certified gas appliances and components
Plumbing Regulations 2018
VBA Gasfitting Type B resource booklet (supplied by VBA)

Registration & licence exams

AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations Part 1 – General Installations.
AS/NZS 5601.2:2022 – Gas Installations Part 2 – LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsion purposes.
AS/NZS 3814.1:2018 – Industrial and commercial gas fired appliances
Directory of certified gas appliances and components
Plumbing Regulations 2018
VBA Gasfitting Type B resource booklet (supplied by VBA)