What plumbing can I do myself in Queensland? The QBCC 'unregulated work' list
Short answer
In Queensland you can do 'unregulated' plumbing work without a licence: replacing a shower head or water filter cartridge, replacing a tap washer or jumper valve, replacing the drop-valve washer, float-valve washer or suction-cup rubber in a toilet cistern, replacing caps on ground-level inspection openings, cleaning a ground-level trap grate, and irrigation work downstream of a tap. Everything else — including replacing a whole tap, toilet or hot water system — needs a QBCC-licensed plumber.
Queensland is unusually clear about DIY plumbing. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) publishes a list of “unregulated” plumbing work — jobs that don’t need a licence. If a job isn’t on that list, it’s regulated work and needs a licensed plumber.
The unregulated work list
According to the QBCC, you can do these yourself:
| Job | DIY? |
|---|---|
| Replace a shower head | DIY OK |
| Replace a domestic water filter cartridge | DIY OK |
| Replace a jumper valve or washer in a tap | DIY OK |
| Repair or replace a drop-valve washer, float-valve washer or suction-cup rubber in a toilet cistern | DIY OK |
| Replace caps on ground-level inspection openings of a sanitary drain | DIY OK |
| Clean a ground-level trap grate | DIY OK |
| Irrigation work downstream of a tap, isolating valve or backflow device | DIY OK |
| Maintain greywater or on-site sewage irrigation systems | DIY OK |
| Incidental unskilled work, such as digging trenches for a plumber | DIY OK |
Important: unregulated doesn’t mean anything goes. The QBCC says unregulated work must still meet the plumbing codes and standards.
Common jobs that are not on the list
| Job | Who does it |
|---|---|
| Replace a whole tap or mixer | Licensed plumber |
| Replace a toilet suite or cistern | Licensed plumber |
| Replace or install a hot water system | Licensed plumber (and gasfitter for gas) |
| Connect a dishwasher | Licensed plumber |
| Install a new sink, basin or shower | Licensed plumber |
| Unblock a drain beyond the grate (e.g. with a machine) | Licensed plumber |
| Anything gas | Licensed gasfitter |
Penalties
Doing regulated plumbing work without a licence is an offence under Queensland law. Business Queensland lists maximum penalties of 250 penalty units for a first offence, 300 for a second, and 350 penalty units or a year in prison for a third or later offence. Penalty units are indexed each year, so the dollar amount rises over time — at current values, a first offence can run well into five figures.
The garden exception is genuinely useful
Irrigation downstream of a tap, isolating valve or backflow prevention device is unregulated. That means you can plan and install your own drip irrigation or garden watering system running off an outdoor tap — just not the connection work upstream of the tap itself.
Doing it right
- Buy parts that carry the WaterMark certification for anything connected to the water supply.
- Turn the water off at the isolation valve or main before you start.
- If a “simple” fix turns into a leak you can’t stop, turn off the mains and call a plumber — water damage inside walls costs far more than the call-out.
For how Queensland compares to the other states, see what you can legally DIY in Australia.
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.