Plumber Jobs Melbourne

Melbourne is a better market for plumbers than most people assume. On current data it pays more than Sydney, and Victoria's move away from gas is changing what plumbing work looks like.

What Melbourne plumbers earn

SEEK, refreshed 1 October 2026:

• Plumber, Melbourne - $90,000-$100,000
• Plumber, Brisbane - $95,000-$105,000
• Plumber, Sydney - $75,000-$95,000

Melbourne's band is narrow. Most of the difference between two Melbourne plumbers comes from the classes they hold and the work they do, not where they live.

Registration and licence: know which you hold

Victoria regulates plumbers through the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), formerly the VBA. Plumbers are registered or licensed in specific classes of work. A licensed plumber can issue compliance certificates for that class. A registered plumber can do the work, but can't certify it.

Employers pay more for a plumber who can sign off their own work, because it saves a second person on site.

Classes that lift your rate

• Gasfitting. Still in demand for existing homes and commercial work, even with new homes going all-electric.
• Fire protection. In Victoria, sprinklers, hydrants and hose reels are a plumbing class of their own.
• Mechanical services. Commercial heating, cooling and ventilation pipework.
• Drainage. Civil and commercial drainage work.

What employers ask for

1. Your BPC registration or licence number and classes
2. A current construction induction (white) card
3. Commercial or domestic experience, and on what size of job
4. A clean driving licence, for most service roles

Portable long service

If you work in Victoria's construction industry, you're likely covered by LeavePlus, the portable long service scheme. Your service follows you between construction employers, so changing jobs doesn't reset it.

Before you apply

Check what the rate covers. Is it hourly with overtime, or a flat rate? Is a vehicle included? Compare the weekly total for the hours you'll really work, not the hourly figure.

HJ Recruitment places permanent plumbers with employers in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. See the roles we're recruiting for now, or get in touch.

Sources- SEEK - Plumber salary, Melbourne- SEEK - Plumber salary, Sydney- Building and Plumbing Commission - Fire protection work- LeavePlus - How LeavePlus works