Plumber Jobs in Perth: Career Guide, Salary, and How to Get Started

Plumbers are essential to every construction project in Perth — from new housing estates to high-rise commercial builds, mine site camps to industrial processing plants. With Perth’s population growth driving demand for new housing and infrastructure, qualified plumbers are consistently among the most sought-after tradespeople in Western Australia.

Here’s your complete guide to plumber jobs in Perth, including how to become a plumber, what you can earn, and where the best opportunities are.

How to Become a Plumber in Perth

Step 1: Consider a Pre-Apprenticeship

A Certificate II in Plumbing is a pre-apprenticeship course that introduces you to the basics — pipe fitting, soldering, drainage, and plumbing tools. It’s not mandatory but gives you a clear advantage when applying for apprenticeships.

South Metropolitan TAFE and North Metropolitan TAFE both offer plumbing pre-apprenticeships in Perth.

Step 2: Complete a Plumbing Apprenticeship

A plumbing apprenticeship in Perth takes 4 years. You’ll work full-time with a licensed plumber while completing your Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420) through TAFE or a registered training organisation.

During your apprenticeship, you’ll learn:

Water supply installation and maintenance
Sanitary and stormwater drainage systems
Gas fitting (if included in your scope)
Roofing and guttering
Reading plumbing plans and specifications
Testing and commissioning plumbing systems
Work health and safety in plumbing

Apprentice plumber wages in Perth start around $15 to $18 per hour in the first year and increase each year, reaching approximately $25 to $30 per hour in the fourth year.

Step 3: Get Your Plumbing Licence

After completing your apprenticeship and trade certificate, you need to obtain a plumbing licence through the Plumbers Licensing Board of Western Australia. Licence types include:

Plumber’s Licence: Allows you to carry out plumbing work under the direction of a licensed plumbing contractor
Plumbing Contractor’s Licence: Required to operate your own plumbing business and sign off on compliance certificates
Tradesperson’s Plumbing Permit: Allows specific types of plumbing work

Most employed plumbers hold a Plumber’s Licence. If you want to run your own business, you’ll need a Plumbing Contractor’s Licence, which requires additional experience and assessment.

Additional Endorsements

Plumbers can add endorsements to their licence for specialist work:

Gas fitting: Required for working on gas appliances and gas supply systems
Backflow prevention: For installing and testing backflow prevention devices
Irrigation: For designing and installing irrigation systems
Fire services: For fire sprinkler and hydrant systems

Plumber Salary in Perth

Plumber salaries in Perth vary by sector, specialisation, and experience level.

Perth Metro

Residential plumber: $70,000 to $90,000
Commercial plumber: $80,000 to $110,000
Maintenance plumber: $75,000 to $100,000
Gas fitter: $80,000 to $105,000
Fire services plumber: $85,000 to $115,000
Hydraulic plumber (design and install): $90,000 to $120,000

FIFO and Mining

Mine site plumber: $100,000 to $135,000
Shutdown plumber: $110,000 to $140,000+ (including overtime and penalties)
Camp services plumber: $95,000 to $125,000

Subcontractor Rates

Self-employed plumbers working as subcontractors in Perth can charge $55 to $95+ per hour depending on the type of work and their specialisation.

Types of Plumber Jobs in Perth

Residential Plumber

Rough-in and fit-off plumbing for new homes, plus renovation and repair work. Perth’s expanding suburbs — Alkimos, Baldivis, Byford, Piara Waters, Brabham — keep residential plumbers busy year-round.

Commercial Plumber

Working on offices, shopping centres, hotels, schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings. Commercial plumbing involves larger pipe sizes, more complex drainage systems, and coordination with other trades. Commercial plumbers typically earn more than residential plumbers.

Maintenance Plumber

Carrying out repairs, servicing, and preventative maintenance across residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Maintenance plumbers often work for property management companies, local councils, or facility management firms. These roles offer stable, ongoing employment.

Gas Fitter

Installing, servicing, and repairing gas appliances and gas supply systems. Gas fitters need a separate endorsement on their plumbing licence. With natural gas widely used in Perth homes and businesses, gas fitting is a strong specialisation.

Fire Services Plumber

Installing and maintaining fire sprinkler systems, hydrant systems, and fire hose reels. Fire services plumbing is a specialist area that commands premium rates, particularly on large commercial and industrial projects.

Hydraulic Services Plumber

Designing and installing hydraulic services for commercial buildings — water supply, drainage, gas, and fire systems based on engineering drawings. Hydraulic plumbers work closely with hydraulic consultants and need strong technical skills.

Drainage Plumber

Specialising in sewer and stormwater drainage — laying pipes, building manholes, and connecting to the Water Corporation network. Drainage plumbers work across residential subdivisions, commercial developments, and civil infrastructure projects.

Roof Plumber

Installing gutters, downpipes, flashings, and roof sheeting. Roof plumbing overlaps with roofing work and is particularly busy during Perth’s residential construction peaks.

Where Are the Best Plumber Jobs in Perth Right Now?

New Residential Subdivisions

Perth’s northern and southern corridors are booming with new housing. Suburbs like Alkimos, Eglinton, Yanchep, Baldivis, Byford, and Piara Waters need hundreds of plumbers for new home construction.

Commercial and Infrastructure Projects

Major commercial projects, Metronet transport infrastructure, hospital expansions, and school builds across Perth all need qualified plumbers. These projects typically offer higher pay than residential work.

Strata and Property Maintenance

Perth has a large stock of apartment buildings and commercial properties requiring ongoing plumbing maintenance. This sector offers stable, predictable work without the pressure of new construction deadlines.

Mining and Resources

FIFO plumber roles service mine site camps, processing plants, and industrial water systems across the Pilbara, Goldfields, and Mid West. While plumber numbers on mine sites are smaller than electricians or fitters, the roles are well-paid and consistent.

Aged Care and Health

New aged care facilities and hospital upgrades across Perth require plumbers with experience in healthcare plumbing — including medical gas, specialised drainage, and accessibility compliance.

How to Get Hired as a Plumber in Perth

Keep Your Licence Current

Make sure your plumbing licence, white card, first aid, and any endorsements are up to date. An expired licence means you can’t legally do the work.

Add Specialist Endorsements

Plumbers with gas fitting, backflow prevention, or fire services endorsements are more versatile and more employable. Each endorsement opens up a new revenue stream if you’re subcontracting.

Get Your Restricted Electrical Licence

Some plumbers obtain a Restricted Electrical Licence (REL) which allows them to do basic electrical work related to their plumbing — such as connecting hot water systems and electric pumps. This makes you far more efficient on site and more attractive to employers.

Build Your Ticket Set

Beyond your plumbing licence, having tickets like working at heights, confined space, EWP, and a medium rigid (MR) truck licence increases the range of jobs you can take.

Register With a Specialist Recruiter

Many of the best plumbing jobs in Perth aren’t advertised publicly. Perth Trades Recruitment has direct relationships with builders, commercial contractors, and maintenance companies who are actively hiring plumbers.

Plumbing Apprenticeships in Perth

If you’re looking to start a plumbing apprenticeship in Perth:

Duration: 4 years
Entry requirements: Year 10 minimum (Year 12 preferred)
Pathway: Certificate III in Plumbing
Where to apply: Directly with plumbing contractors, through group training organisations (MPA Skills is a major GTO for plumbing in WA), or through recruitment agencies

Mature age plumbing apprenticeships are available for career changers. Many plumbing businesses in Perth are happy to take on adult apprentices, especially those with construction or technical backgrounds.

The Future of Plumbing in Perth

Plumbing in Perth is evolving with new technologies and sustainability requirements:

Water-efficient systems are increasingly mandated in new builds, requiring plumbers who understand WELS ratings and water recycling
Solar hot water and heat pumps are replacing traditional gas and electric hot water systems
Greywater recycling is becoming more common in commercial developments
Prefabrication is changing how plumbing is assembled — more work done off-site in controlled environments
Digital tools — laser levels, pipe cameras, and leak detection equipment — are now standard in many operations

Plumbers who keep up with these trends will find the best opportunities.

Find Plumber Jobs Through Perth Trades Recruitment

Perth Trades Recruitment connects qualified plumbers with opportunities across Perth and Western Australia. From residential new builds to commercial projects, maintenance contracts to FIFO roles, we work with employers who are hiring plumbers right now.

Whether you’re looking for your next permanent role, a labour hire placement, or temp-to-perm arrangement, we can help.

Contact Perth Trades Recruitment to find plumber jobs in Perth today.