Choose an RTO
58 providers can deliver CPC32420. Availability, fees and start dates are set by each provider.
About this qualification
CPC32420 is the plumbing trade qualification, and it is the biggest thing on this site. Fifty-eight units for the General Plumber option: forty-three core and fifteen electives. Nothing else here comes close.
The register describes plumbers “in residential, industrial and commercial workplaces who are responsible for assembling, installing and maintaining water services, sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage, gas, roofing and mechanical services in both existing and new constructions”.
It is awarded in one of four occupational options, and the option appears in the qualification title: General Plumber, General Plumber and Roofing, General Plumber and Mechanical, or General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical. You must complete one of them — there is no generic award.
Only 58 providers hold it nationally, which is remarkable for a trade this size. Forty-three core units is a serious delivery commitment, and the field reflects that.
Roles it maps to
Occupational titles named on the national register for CPC32420.
Where it leads
Certificate III is the plumbing trade — there is nothing above it in the same family. Plumbers typically add a licensed speciality, or the business qualifications that come with running their own van.
- Certificate II · comes beforeCPC20220 Construction Pathways
- Certificate III · you are hereCPC32420 Plumbing
- Certificate IV · specialisationCPC40920 Plumbing and Services
- Certificate III · related fieldNWP30222 Water Industry Operations
- Certificate IV · self-employmentBSB40320 Entrepreneurship and New Business
- Certificate IV · supportingFNS40222 Accounting and Bookkeeping
What it covers
Competency in one of four occupational options must be achieved. For the General Plumber award, 58 units: 43 core plus 15 electives, drawn according to the rules for that option.
Forty-three core units. The first fourteen:
- CPCCCM2012 Work safely at heights
- CPCPCM2039 Carry out interactive workplace communication
- CPCPCM2040 Read plans, calculate quantities and mark out materials
- CPCPCM2041 Work effectively in the plumbing services sector
- CPCPCM2043 Carry out WHS requirements
- CPCPCM2045 Handle and store plumbing materials
- CPCPCM2046 Use plumbing hand and power tools
- CPCPCM2047 Carry out levelling
- CPCPCM2048 Cut and join sheet metal
- CPCPCM2054 Carry out simple concreting and rendering
- CPCPCM2055 Work safely on roofs
- CPCPCM3021 Flash penetrations through roofs and walls
- CPCPCM3022 Weld polymer pipes using fusion method
- CPCPCM3023 Fabricate and install non-ferrous pressure piping
- CPCPCM3024 Prepare simple drawings
- CPCPCM3025 Install trench support
- CPCPDR2021 Locate and clear blockages
- CPCPDR2025 Install stormwater and sub-soil drainage systems and drain work site
- CPCPDR2026 Install prefabricated inspection openings and inspection chambers
- CPCPDR3021 Plan layout and install below ground sanitary drainage systems
- CPCPDR3023 Install on-site domestic wastewater treatment plants and disposal systems
- CPCPFS3031 Fabricate and install fire hydrant and hose reel systems
- CPCPGS3048 Install gas pressure control equipment
- CPCPGS3049 Install gas appliance flues
- CPCPGS3051 Purge consumer piping
- CPCPGS3053 Disconnect and reconnect Type A gas appliances
- CPCPGS3054 Calculate and install natural ventilation for Type A gas appliances
- CPCPGS3056 Size and install consumer gas piping systems
- CPCPGS3059 Install LPG storage of aggregate storage capacity up to 500 litres
- CPCPGS3061 Install and commission Type A gas appliances
- CPCPRF2023 Collect and store roof water
- CPCPRF3022 Fabricate and install roof drainage systems
- CPCPRF3023 Fabricate and install external flashings
- CPCPRF3024 Install roof components
- CPCPSN3011 Plan the layout of a residential sanitary plumbing system and fabricate and install sanitary stacks
- CPCPSN3022 Install discharge pipes
- CPCPWT3020 Connect and install storage tanks to a domestic water supply
- CPCPWT3021 Set out and install water services
- CPCPWT3022 Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices
- CPCPWT3025 Install water pumpsets
- CPCPWT3026 Install and fit off sanitary fixtures, water services and adjust water service controls
- CPCPWT3027 Install backflow prevention devices
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
For a full list of elective units, visit training.gov.au →
Frequently asked questions
- Which occupational option should I choose?
- The one matching the licence you want. The option is part of the qualification title, so it follows you. Roofing and mechanical are distinct scopes of work with their own licensing consequences — check with your state plumbing authority before committing.
- Fifty-eight units — is that right?
- Yes, for the General Plumber option: 43 core plus 15 electives. It is the largest qualification in this directory by a wide margin, and reflects how much a licensed plumber is expected to cover.
- Does this license me to work as a plumber?
- No. Plumbing is licensed by state and territory authorities, and the qualification is a component of that process rather than the licence itself. Requirements differ by jurisdiction.
- Only 58 providers?
- Yes. Forty-three core units, much of it practical, is a heavy delivery commitment, so the field is much smaller than the demand would suggest.
- What does it cost and how long does it take?
- Both are set by each provider and are not published on the national register. Apprenticeship pathways typically run four years.
Specialisations
CPC32420 is awarded in one of four occupational options, and the option forms part of the qualification title. Choose it before you enrol — it determines fifteen electives and what you are licensed to work on.
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General Plumber
Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber)
43 core units plus 15 electives, at least 8 drawn from the general plumbing group. The base option.
58 units in total.
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General Plumber and Roofing
Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber and Roofing)
The general core plus the roofing elective set. Adds roof plumbing to the licensed scope.
-
General Plumber and Mechanical
Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber and Mechanical)
The general core plus the mechanical services elective set — heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
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General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical
Certificate III in Plumbing (General Plumber Roofing and Mechanical)
Both specialist elective sets on top of the general core. The broadest of the four options.
Confirm the exact unit count with your provider — it is the largest of the four.
Other registered providers
Filtered by where each provider is based, not where they can deliver.
-
NSW
TAFE NSWRTO 90003
Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT -
QLD
TAFE QueenslandRTO 0275
Deliver and assess · NSW, QLD, NT -
WA
North Metropolitan TAFERTO 52786
Deliver and assess · WA -
QLD
National SkillsRTO 45438
Deliver and assess · National -
NSW
Maxwells ServicesRTO 90924
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
Australian Trade Training CollegeRTO 31399
Deliver and assess · National -
NSW
AUSTRALIAN HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE PTY LTDRTO 70252
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
TEC-NQ LIMITEDRTO 31444
Deliver and assess · National -
QLD
Skills Recognition International Pty LtdRTO 32373
Deliver and assess · National -
WA
Skill Hire WA Pty LtdRTO 0361
Deliver and assess · WA -
VIC
APPRENTICESHIPS GROUP AUSTRALIA LIMITEDRTO 3829
Deliver and assess · National -
NSW
Career Skills Australia Pty LtdRTO 45254
Deliver and assess · NSW -
Find more providers
12 of 58 providers shown — search the register for the rest
training.gov.au →
More in Construction
Other qualifications in the CPC training package, nearest level first.
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