Qualification details

This qualification provides an outcome for:

• experienced fire operators with responsibility for project design and supervision (Fire services stream)
• experienced plumbing service operators with responsibility for project design and supervision (Air conditioning and mechanical services stream)
• plumbers who manage a plumbing business (Plumbing and services – Management stream)
• specialist plumbing services tradespersons and operators seeking to deepen their technical skills (Plumbing and services – Operations stream)
• specialist hydraulic consultants (Hydraulic services design stream).

Occupational titles may include:

• Plumbing contractor
• Fire services supervisor
• Air conditioning technician
• Specialist hydraulic designer.

The qualification has core and elective unit of competency requirements that cover common skills for the plumbing industry, as well as the four specialist streams and a range of elective options.

The plumbing industry strongly affirms that training and assessment leading to recognition of skills must be undertaken in a real or very closely simulated workplace environment and this qualification requires all units of competency to be delivered in this context.

Completion of the general induction training program specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction Training for Construction Work (ASCC 2007) is required before entering a construction work site. Achievement of unit CPCCOHS1001A covers this requirement.

Employability skill 

Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include: 

Communication 

• Interprets a range of complex documents, including relevant regulatory, legislative, licensing and registration requirements; codes and standards; drawings and specifications; industry definitions and terminology; contracts; plans and diagrams; job specifications; manufacturer specifications and technical manuals; design specifications; and industrial relations policies
• Understands industry terminology
• Communicates effectively with a range of relevant parties through a range of media
• Prepares a range of documents, including reports, file notes, drawings and sketches, building applications and submissions; compressed air system specifications; testing and commissioning schedules; and operation and maintenance manuals
• Uses active listening skills to seek clarification where needed
• Facilitates site meetings
• Negotiates conflict and dispute resolution

Teamwork 

• Seeks expert advice where appropriate
• Supervises others’ work and monitors work processes
• Plans and sequences work in conjunctions with others
• Participates in professional networks and associations

Problem solving 

• Performs various calculations and measurements relating to comparisons of alternative water management systems; waste management minimisation strategies; and materials and designs for compressed air systems
• Identifies and rectifies faults
• Deals with contract variations
• Coordinates a range of team members and activities
• Reviews design solutions for effectiveness and compliance
• Deals with customer complaints and disputes

Initiative and enterprise 

• Identifies building sites from location drawings
• Identifies typical faults and problems and takes necessary remedial action
• Uses creative design and drafting skills
• Identifies opportunities for improved water management
• Evaluates effective strategies for insulating structures
• Designs compressed air systems
• Develops waste management strategies and dispute resolution procedures

Planning and organising 

• Gathers required tools and equipment
• Ensures coordinated development of drawings
• Supervises various administrative and work processes, including claims and payments, insurance coverage, payroll systems and tax systems
• Arranges resources and prepares for the building or construction project
• Plans and arranges building applications and approvals
• Ensures current building codes and standards are applied
• Plans and sets out work
• Plans waste management strategies
• Scopes extent of work required and plans and details relevant systems and layouts

Self management 

• Manages own performance to ensure required levels of service standards, work quality and professional competence, and compliance with relevant codes and standards
• Manages work priorities and professional development
• Maintains required standard of personal fitness, hygiene and grooming
• Uses feedback to improve own performance

Learning 

• Uses appropriate mechanisms to inform others of applicable standards and codes
• Applies training agreement provisions

Technology 

• Uses information technology skills to operate office equipment and computers
• Uses digital cameras
• Uses CAD software to produce and manage architectural drawing and template files
• Uses relevant hydraulic design systems software
• Commissions fire alarm and detection systems and gas appliances
• Checks relevant tools and equipment for serviceability
• Understands basic electrical theory and the types, characteristics, uses and limitations of electrical/electronic componentry and control systems
• Designs compressed air systems using computer software

Fire services stream 

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

• 15 units of competency:

• 8 core units
• 7 elective units.

The units must be completed as follows:

• all four common core units
• all four core units shared between air conditioning and mechanical services stream and fire services
• seven elective units, ensuring that any licensing requirements are addressed.

Of these seven electives:

• at least four units must be selected from the pool of elective units in the fire services stream
• up to two units may be selected from a Certificate IV qualification in another endorsed Training Package or from the core or elective units of another stream within the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, ensuring both the integrity of the AQF alignment and the industry context of the qualification are maintained
• one unit may be selected from Certificate III or Diploma Plumbing and Services qualifications
• no more than three units may be selected from the common pool of elective units.

Air conditioning and mechanical services stream 

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

• 15 units of competency:

• 8 core units
• 7 elective units.

The units must be completed as follows:

• all four common core units
• all four core units shared between air conditioning and mechanical services stream and fire services
• seven elective units, ensuring that any licensing requirements are addressed.

Of these seven electives:

• at least four units must be selected from the pool of elective units in the air conditioning and mechanical services stream
• up to two of the seven units may be selected from a Certificate IV qualification in another endorsed Training Package or from the core or elective units of another stream within the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, ensuring both the integrity of the AQF alignment and the industry context of the qualification are maintained
• one of the seven units may be drawn from Certificate III or Diploma Plumbing and Services qualifications
• no more than three units may be selected from the common pool of elective units.

Plumbing and services – Management stream 

Industry considers it appropriate for people seeking to complete Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services – Management stream to hold a relevant Certificate III qualification in the industry.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

• 15 units of competency:

• 10 core units
• 5 elective units.

The units must be completed as follows:

• all four common core units
• all six core units (Plumbing and services – Management stream)
• five elective units, ensuring that any licensing requirements are addressed.

Of these five electives:

• up to five units may be selected from the pool of elective units in the Plumbing and services – Management stream
• two of the five units may be selected from a Certificate IV qualification in another endorsed Training Package or from the core or elective units of another stream within the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, ensuring both the integrity of the AQF alignment and the industry context of the qualification are maintained
• one of the five units may be drawn from Certificate III or Diploma Plumbing and Services qualifications
• no more than three units may be selected from the pool of elective units common to all streams.

Plumbing and services – Operations stream 

This stream has an entry requirement of the completion of a relevant trade qualification or equivalent.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

• 15 units of competency:

• 12 core units
• 3 elective units.

The units must be completed as follows:

• all four common core units
• all eight core units (Plumbing and services – Operations stream)
• three elective units, ensuring that any licensing requirements are addressed.

Of these three electives:

• up to three units may be selected from the pool of elective units in the Plumbing and services – Operations stream
• two of the three units may be selected from a Certificate IV qualification in another endorsed Training Package or from the core or elective units of another stream within the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, ensuring both the integrity of the AQF alignment and the industry context of the qualification are maintained
• one of the three units may be drawn from Certificate III or Diploma Plumbing and Services qualifications
• no more than three units may be selected from the pool of elective units common to all streams.

Hydraulic services design stream 

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must demonstrate competency in:

• 15 units of competency:

• 10 core units
• 5 elective units.

The units must be completed as follows:

• all four common core units
• all six core units in the hydraulic services design stream
• five elective units.

Of these five electives:

• at least two units must be selected from the pool of elective units in the hydraulic services design stream
• one of the five units may be selected from a Certificate IV qualification in another endorsed Training Package, ensuring both the integrity of the AQF alignment and the industry context of the qualification are maintained
• one of the five units may be drawn from the Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design qualification
• no more than three units may be selected from the common pool of elective units.

Some units in this qualification may have prerequisite requirements, which must be met when packaging the qualification. Users are referred to the list of CPC08 units with prerequisite unit requirements available in this Training Package for this purpose.

Core units 

Common 

BSBOHS403B

Identify hazards and assess OHS risks

CPCCBC4012B

Read and interpret plans and specifications

CPCPCM4011A

Carry out work-based risk control processes

CPCPCM4012A

Estimate and cost work

Fire services, air conditioning and mechanical services streams 

BSBCUS301B

Deliver and monitor a service to customers

CPCCBC4015A

Prepare specifications for all construction works

CPCPCM4013A

Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software

CPCPCM4014A

Prepare simple sketches and drawings

Plumbing and services – Management stream 

BSBCUS301B

Deliver and monitor a service to customers

BSBSMB401A

Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business

BSBSMB402A

Plan small business finances

BSBSMB404A

Undertake small business planning

BSBSMB405B

Monitor and manage small business operations

CPCCBC4034A

Apply codes and standards to building trade and services contracting

Plumbing and services – Operations stream 

BSBSMB401A

Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business

CPCPDR4011B

Design and size sanitary drainage systems

CPCPDR4012B

Design and size stormwater drainage systems

CPCPDR4013B

Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems

CPCPGS4011C

Design and size consumer gas installations

CPCPRF4011B

Design and size roof drainage systems

CPCPSN4011B

Design and size sanitary plumbing systems

CPCPWT4011B

Design and size heated and cold water services and systems

Plumbing and services – Hydraulic services design stream 

CPCCBC4034A

Apply codes and standards to building trade and services contracting

CPCPDR4011B

Design and size sanitary drainage systems

CPCPDR4012B

Design and size stormwater drainage systems

CPCPDR4013B

Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems

CPCPSN4011B

Design and size sanitary plumbing systems

CPCPWT4011B

Design and size heated and cold water services and systems

Elective units 

All streams 

BSBINN301A

Promote innovation in a team environment

BSBITU201A

Produce simple word processed documents

BSBITU202A

Create and use spreadsheets

BSBITU301A

Create and use databases

BSBLED401A

Develop teams and individuals

BSBMGT403A

Implement continuous improvement

BSBPMG404A

Apply quality management techniques

BSBWRT401A

Write complex documents

CPCCBC4002A

Manage occupational health and safety in the building and construction workplace

CPCCBC4024A

Resolve business disputes

CPCCBC4025A

Manage personal work priorities and professional development

CPCSUS4001A

Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices

HLTHIR403C

Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

Fire services stream 

BSBWOR402A

Promote team effectiveness

BSBPMG407A

Apply risk management techniques

BSBPMG522A

Undertake project work

BSBSMB401A

Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business

BSBSMB402A

Plan small business finances

BSBSMB404A

Undertake small business planning

BSBSMB405B

Monitor and manage small business operations

BSBSMB406A

Manage small business finances

BSBWOR401A

Establish effective workplace relationships

CPCCBC4008B

Conduct on-site supervision of building and construction projects

CPCCBC4017A

Arrange resources and prepare for the building or construction project

CPCCBC4026A

Arrange building applications and approvals

CPCCBC4034A

Apply codes and standards to building trade and services contracting

CPCPFS4021A

Commission domestic and residential fire suppression sprinkler systems

CPCPFS4022A

Commission and maintain special hazard fire suppression systems

CPCPFS4023A

Commission fire system pumpsets

CPCPFS4024A

Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems

CPCPFS4025A

Commission fire alarm and detection system interface devices

CPCPFS4026A

Commission firefighting appliances

CPCPFS4027A

Commission fire sprinkler systems

TAEDEL402A

Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace

Air conditioning and mechanical services stream 

BSBPMG407A

Apply risk management techniques

BSBPMG522A

Undertake project work

BSBSMB407A

Manage a small team

BSBSMB401A

Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business

BSBSMB402A

Plan small business finances

BSBSMB404A

Undertake small business planning

BSBSMB405B

Monitor and manage small business operations

BSBSMB406A

Manage small business finances

BSBWOR401A

Establish effective workplace relationships

CPCCBC4008B

Conduct on-site supervision of building and construction projects

CPCCBC4017A

Arrange resources and prepare for the building or construction project

CPCCBC4019A

Apply sustainable building design principles to water management systems

CPCCBC4020A

Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

CPCCBC4021A

Minimise waste on the building and construction site

CPCCBC4026A

Arrange building applications and approvals

CPCCBC4034A

Apply codes and standards to building trade and services contracting

CPCPGS4011C

Design and size consumer gas installations

CPCPGS4022A

Service Type A gas appliances

CPCPGS4023B

Install, commission and service Type B gas appliances

CPCPMS4011B

Design, size and lay out heating and cooling systems

CPCPMS4022A

Commission air and water systems

CPCPMS4023A

Design compressed air systems

CPCPWT4011B

Design and size heated and cold water services and systems

CPCPWT4022A

Commission and maintain backflow prevention devices

CPCPWT4023A

Commission and maintain hot and heated water temperature control devices

TAEDEL402A

Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace

Plumbing and services – Management stream 

BSBPMG407A

Apply risk management techniques

BSBPMG522A

Undertake project work

BSBSMB407A

Manage a small team

BSBWOR401A

Establish effective workplace relationships

CPCCBC4008B

Conduct on-site supervision of building and construction projects

CPCCBC4009B

Apply legal requirements to building and construction projects

CPCCBC4017A

Arrange resources and prepare for the building or construction project

CPCCBC4019A

Apply sustainable building design principles to water management systems

CPCCBC4020A

Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

CPCCBC4021A

Minimise waste on the building and construction site

CPCCBC4026A

Arrange building applications and approvals

CPCPCM4013A

Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software

CPCPCM4014A

Prepare simple sketches and drawings

CPCPDR4011B

Design and size sanitary drainage systems

CPCPDR4012B

Design and size stormwater drainage systems

CPCPDR4013B

Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems

CPCPFS4024A

Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems

CPCPGS4011C

Design and size consumer gas installations

CPCPGS4022A

Service Type A gas appliances

CPCPGS4023B

Install, commission and service Type B gas appliances

CPCPMS4011B

Design, size and lay out heating and cooling systems

CPCPMS4022A

Commission air and water systems

CPCPRF4011B

Design and size roof drainage systems

CPCPSN4011B

Design and size sanitary plumbing systems

CPCPWT4011B

Design and size heated and cold water services and systems

CPCPWT4022A

Commission and maintain backflow prevention devices

CPCPWT4023A

Commission and maintain hot and heated water temperature control devices

TAEDEL402A

Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace

Plumbing and services – Operations stream 

BSBCUS301B

Deliver and monitor a service to customers

CPCCBC4019A

Apply sustainable building design principles to water management systems

CPCCBC4020A

Build thermally efficient and sustainable structures

CPCCBC4021A

Minimise waste on the building and construction site

CPCCBC4034A

Apply codes and standards to building trade and services contracting

CPCPFS4024A

Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems

CPCPGS4022A

Service Type A gas appliances

CPCPGS4023B

Install, commission and service Type B gas appliances

CPCPMS4011B

Design, size and lay out heating and cooling systems

CPCPMS4022A

Commission air and water systems

CPCPMS4023A

Design compressed air systems

CPCPWT4022A

Commission and maintain backflow prevention devices

CPCPWT4023A

Commission and maintain hot and heated water temperature control devices

Plumbing and services – Hydraulic services design stream 

BSBPMG407A

Apply risk management techniques

BSBPMG522A

Undertake project work

BSBSMB407A

Manage a small team

BSBWOR401A

Establish effective workplace relationships

CPCPCM4013A

Produce 2-D architectural drawings using CAD software

CPCPCM4014A

Prepare simple sketches and drawings

CPCPFS4024A

Design residential and domestic fire sprinkler systems

CPCPGS4011C

Design and size consumer gas installations

TAEDEL402A

Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace