Welcome to the first edition of the Plumbing Technical Bulletin for 2025.
It promises to be an important year for building and plumbing regulation in Victoria with the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commissioner (BPC).
The Plumbing Technical Bulletin will continue to be a source of information to engage and educate practitioners.
Heat pump water heaters circulating refrigerants
The increased demand for heat pump installations, driven by the Victorian Energy Updates (VEU) and Solar Victoria grants, has highlighted a shortfall in qualified plumbers who can legally install split-system heat pump water heaters circulating refrigerants (natural or ozone depleting refrigerants).
A VBA-industry working group has been established to focus on addressing the shortage of plumbers who can lawfully install heat pump water heaters circulating refrigerants.
Since 2022, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for split system heat pump waters circulating refrigerants. Only a small number of licensed and registered plumbers can decommission gas water heaters and install these products.
The working group is considering two approaches to overcome this challenge. The first is administrative reform, which may create a new restricted class under Refrigerated Air-Conditioning for the installation of split-system heat pump water heaters circulating refrigerants. The second is medium-term regulatory reform involving amendments to the Plumbing Regulations 2018, to formally include this work under an appropriate class.
These changes would significantly boost the number of practitioners who could do this work and keep pace with community demand. As consultation and discussions continue, my Office will keep you updated.
A new regulator for building and plumbing
Last October, the Victorian Government announced the establishment of the Building and Plumbing Commissioner (BPC). A new and powerful watchdog overseeing domestic building and plumbing industries across Victoria, the new regulator will bring together all aspects of building quality control – regulation, insurance and dispute resolution – in a single agency.
Subject to the passage of a Bill introduced to Parliament in March, the regulator will get new enforcement powers which will apply after someone moves in. This power will enable the BPC to issue an order for rectification of non-compliant work once the occupancy permit is used.
According to the Bill, there will be additional consumer protections, including a developer bond scheme and expansion of domestic building insurance.
