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Plumber

Find out more about working as a plumber and the possible pathways to job opportunities.

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Plumbers work on water, drainage, gas and sewerage systems. Sustainability has become an important part of the job. More building projects across Victoria means more jobs.

Find out what a plumber does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.

What is a plumber?

Plumbers install and maintain water, drainage, gas and sewer systems. They may also install fire protection and sanitary systems. As a plumber, you may work on domestic and commercial projects.

There are opportunities across many industries, including health, safety and clean energy. New technologies are improving sustainable practices.

Find out more about plumbers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

Explore these related TAFE and training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.

Median salary

The median weekly earnings for plumbers in Australia is $2,000.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

Note this salary is current as of January 2025 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.

Job demand in Victoria

Below are the employment projections for plumber jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.

‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.

Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 33,457 3,561 9,740
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 2,083 279 711
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 1,393 139 331
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 6,856 715 1,841
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 5,082 649 1,850
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 4,759 451 1,169
Melbourne – western metropolitan 4,256 634 1,789
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 988 80 253
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 1,360 108 329
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 2,465 214 709
Gippsland 1,459 124 311
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 239 12 32
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 468 23 62
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 642 40 114
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 748 56 136
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 660 38 102

Source: Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our construction industry profile to find out about:

Explore growing industries in your region

Training and careers in your region

Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Training and careers in growing industries

Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Updated 8 January 2025

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