Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

This course is designed for registered plumbers and final year apprentices looking to extend their technical skills and knowledge. It offers you a pathway to becoming a licensed plumber. Note: Those seeking licensing with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) should check current licensing requirements with the VBA.

Through classroom teaching and work-based tasks, you will be equipped to manage and design plumbing projects. This course includes studies in:

• drainage systems - roof, sanitary and stormwater
• water supply
• gas installations
• mechanical services
• reading plans and specifications
• estimating work costs
• risk control processes
• regulatory requirements for the plumbing and services industry.

This course also offers a pathway to licensing in the following streams:

• water
• drainage
• gasfitting
• roofing
• sanitary
• irrigation
• mechanical.

You will graduate with a nationally-recognised qualification, ready to operate as a contractor plumber or to start your own plumbing business.

Possible career opportunities emerging from the completion of Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services CPC40920 include:

• plumbing contractor
• air conditioning technician
• self-employed plumber.

The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:

• Ten (10) core units, and;
• Five (5) elective units,

Victoria University Polytechnic offers the following specialisation:

• Operations

To be awarded the CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (Operations), a student must successfully complete a total of Fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:

• Ten (10) core units
• at least One (1) elective from Group B
• the remaining Four (4) elective units from Group A or Group B
• Two (2) units may be replaced by units from other Training Packages or nationally accredited courses at Certificate IV level and above, provided they do not duplicate the outcome of another unit chosen for the qualification.

Elective units must be relevant to the work environment and the qualification, maintain the integrity of the AQF alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

• Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.