If you’re thinking about starting a plumbing business in Victoria, you’re on the right track.
Plumbers are part of Australia’s infrastructure’s backbone, whether fixing a leaky tap in a family home or laying the groundwork for a massive commercial project. With a strong demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors — and a shortage of skilled tradies — now is the perfect time to dive in.
Sure, the market’s competitive, but that’s where your expertise comes in. By staying up-to-date with the latest tech, understanding shifting customer needs, and delivering top-notch service, you’re not just keeping the pipes clear — you’re building a reputation that leads to repeat business.
Are you ready to start? Here’s your guide.
Beginning your career in plumbing
Before stepping into the plumbing trade, you'll need solid industry knowledge and real-world expertise. You can gain all of this through your state-required plumbing certification.
First, you must graduate from high school and enrol at a trade school or university such as TAFE, Victoria University, Melbourne Polytechnic and many more to get your certificate. You need to take classes that fulfil the technical requirements such as installation methods and commercial repair techniques, and also undergo on-site work experience, such as an apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship is a paid on-the-job training period where you’ll work with a licensed plumber on actual job sites to gain hands-on experience. It’s the perfect way to understand how the trade works, build a network, and decide if the plumbing industry is right for you. An apprenticeship lasts anywhere between 2-5 years. Once finished, you will take an exam to prove your proficiency. With a certification in hand, you'll be able to work as a plumber within a company or on your own.
From apprenticeship to real-word
As plumbers finish university and venture into the real world, many realise that being their own boss comes with a variety of benefits. Starting your own business gives you the flexibility and freedom to choose the plumbing jobs you want and set your own schedule. It also provides the opportunity to earn more independently and specialise in areas you might not have the chance to explore within a larger company.
Step by step plumbing business guide
If starting a plumbing business in Australia is your next big goal, we’re here to help. Below is our guide on how to build your plumbing company from scratch so you can have the flexibility, freedom, and financial security you dream of.
Ask yourself: why do you want to start your business?
Understanding your 'why' is one of the most important aspects of building a successful plumbing business. It’s the driving force behind your decisions, guiding you through challenges and helping you stay focused on your goals.
Is it because you want to be your own boss or co-found with a friend? Are you looking to exponentially grow your income or work flexibly around the hours you prefer?
Whatever your reasoning is, be clear and be sure, so you have a foundation to work with and stay committed to. With your 'why' in mind, it becomes easier to define your purpose and then focus on the practical tasks needed to grow your business.
Get a business plan in place
A business plan is a hefty job. But in order to know the ins and outs of your services, it must be developed. A business plan is there to offer you a comprehensive roadmap of all the most important aspects. These are some aspects that we recommend including:
- Industry overview: The plumbing industry is huge. The trade industry: even bigger. To make yourself heard, you’ll need to research the plumbing industry and gain insight into your competition, your ideal customers’ preferences, and the current trends. Writing an overview will help to define your path.
- Financial plan: Delegate how much money is going to be spent on your plumbing business to get it off the ground, and what you need to earn to be to break even. This is a great place to write out how you plan to finance your business - do you have the funds to support it or will you be searching for cash from a third party such as a bank, lender, or loan company? As you grow, it’s crucial to have your financial plan organised so you know how much to charge but also use accounting software to stay on top of your payments.
- Vision, mission, and goals: With your finances set, it’s necessary to write down your vision of where you want your company to go, your mission of what you want your company to accomplish, and any goals you want your company to achieve. This creates a great foundation to work off of.
- List out your products and services: Identify and document the services you plan to offer or the products you intend to sell to maintain good administrative practices in your plumbing business. It can be done by:
- Listing every product or service you offer.
- Cross-checking your list with your inventory to catch any discrepancies.
- Assigning a price to each product or service.
- Organising your products and services into relevant categories.
- Reviewing your list for accuracy and making any necessary adjustments.
- Decide on your location: Consider where your company is going to operate. Will it be just in Victoria or interstate? Look at where there is a high demand for plumbers so you can put your business in the right place.
- Market analysis: Take note of what the current plumbing market looks like, including trends and emerging technologies. Identify your main competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and the services they offer. See how you can offer something unique that your local plumbers aren’t already doing. By understanding the market landscape, you will be able to pinpoint opportunities for differentiation and growth.
- Sales strategy: What does success look like and how are you going to get there? Setting a sales strategy will help you measure that. In your strategy, you’ll want to set your ideal vision of success - is it reaching 100 clients? Selling your service to 8 new communities in 1 month? Knowing what you want to accomplish will help you figure out what steps to take to get there.
Get your admin in check
As you set up your business, there are a few things you need to iron out and set up before launching such as licences, insurance, and registration.
Obtain the right plumbing licence for your state
Each state has their own rules and regulations for plumbing businesses, so check out your state to make sure you are complying with them:
- Queensland: Queensland Building and Construction Commission
- New South Wales: Fair Trading: Plumbing, draining and gasfitting
- Victoria: Victorian Building Authority
- South Australia: Gov.AU
- Western Australia: Government of Western Australia: Plumbers Licensing Board
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Government: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services
- Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government: Plumber, drainer and gasfitter licence
- Northern Territory: Plumbers and Drainers Licensing Board
Register your plumbing business officially
In order to run your business legally, you’ll need to register your business name with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), register for Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST), and get your Australian Business Number (ABN). Not registering will cause future issues for you and your business.
Get your plumbing business insurance
Insuring your plumbing business is not just a smart move — it's essential. The nature of the job means there's a risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage. Having the right insurance protects you from unexpected costs and liabilities that could otherwise put your business at risk. Consider coverage options such as public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, and workers' compensation to ensure you're well-protected.
Choose your business structure and hire your team
With your business officially set up, it’s time to pick your structure and team.
There are 4 structures to choose from:
- Sole trader: Working for yourself where all profits directly come back to you
- Partnership: Working with two or more other tradesmen in an official business agreement where everyone can share resources and split the profit
- Company: Working legally for individuals with a stake in the business’ success
- Co-operative: Working to meet the shared needs of both the members and business
Once you've chosen your business structure, the next step is to determine whether you want to hire apprentices or additional team members. Your decision will depend on the size of your funding and the specifics of your business structure.
Set your prices
Setting your price range is crucial, as it can set your business apart from competitors. Aim to balance quality with cost because pricing too low may attract clients seeking bargains, while pricing too high could mean you miss a lot of job opportunities. Consider the value you offer and price your services accordingly. If you’re clear on your competitive advantage, you’ll find it easier to persuade clients to choose your business.
Market your business
Now, with all the internal work complete, it’s time to market your business externally to your local community and maybe, around Australia. There are a variety of ways you can get your name out there. Here’s what we recommend:
- Create a website: An informational, impactful website will make all the difference. Make sure it’s high quality with action pictures, explains your business story, and highlights your services. Having unique branding will help consumers to remember it.
- Set up Google Business Profile: When a customer looks up your business or plumbers online, it’s important they can see your business as an option. A Google Business Profile will give them all the key information they need to contact you, leave a review, or visit your website.
- List with local business directories: If you are targeting locally, having your business in a directory will help you find your local customer base.
- Develop a social media presence: Getting on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube will help bring awareness to your business. It’s a great way for people to view your prices and services quickly and efficiently.
- Ask the first couple of clients to write reviews: Once you’ve had a couple appointments, ask your clients to write some reviews to boost your Google Business, so you can demonstrate that you are reliable and trustworthy. Check out our guide to reviews to learn how to do it well.
- Start small and grow large: Network with family and friends to get your name out there. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to start growing when you are starting out. Handing out business cards to your inner circle will help you find your first clients.
Need a reminder? Click here to check out our downloadable marketing checklist.
And now it’s time to start your business!
With this guide, you are more than ready to take on your own plumbing business. While building your business isn’t always easy, it also offers numerous rewards, including greater control over your career and a better work-life balance. Bookmark this guide for future reference — we’re here to support you every step of the way and reach plumber's success!
Interested in learning more about starting a trade business? Explore our comprehensive guide!
Interested in connecting with Mira?
Mira is an all-in-one app here to simplify tradies' lives. It is an efficient and effective way to supercharge your business and help you generate more revenue.
Start a free trial and check out our suite of features, or get in touch for a demo to learn more about how we can help your business.