Overview
Gain the knowledge and skills to become a licensed plumber with a Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services CPC40920 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
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.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
Plumbing facilities
You will learn in our workplace-simulated workshops, where you will be exposed to all aspects of plumbing. Our workshops have dedicated areas that relate to specific streams of plumbing.
Our training infrastructure includes:
- oxy/acetylene welding stations throughout the facility
- 15 arc welding bays
- 25x10 metre sand pit to allow for real in ground installation of plumbing pipes and fittings
- backflow and thermostatic mixing valve lab
- a realistic 6 unit structure, to complete real plumbing fixture installations as you would in the workplace once you’re employed
- dedicated gas, roofing and mechanical plumbing workshops.
Hands-on learning & industry links
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills on special-purpose machinery at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. Learning with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.
You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:
- industry projects
- live work
- site visits.
Study support
Victoria University Polytechnic is a supportive place to study. We have a range of academic support programs that can help you if you're struggling with your studies.
We can help you with your assignments and assessment tasks, maths, writing skills and English language support, as well as showing you effective ways to study and manage your time and preparation. Our study support programs include:
- workshops and study groups
- student mentors and peer learning
- maths and writing resources.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available for all students.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Campus tour
Attend a trades campus tour and application support session to see where you'll be learning, and find out more about applying to study at VU Polytechnic.
Careers in plumbing
Possible career opportunities emerging from the completion of Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services CPC40920 include:
- plumbing contractor
- air conditioning technician
- self-employed plumber.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
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.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Core units
Elective units
Group A
Group B
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of an experienced plumbing service operator with advanced technical skills and/or responsibility for project design and supervision; or a hydraulic consultant responsible for designing hydraulic components and systems that meet client requirements and help in effective water management in domestic, commercial and industry contexts.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must:
- hold Certificate III in Plumbing or be authorised to undertake plumbing work by an Australian regulator/licensing body.
- complete a Pre-training Review (PTR)
- undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
Students wishing to undertake Elective units:
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CPCPWT4022 Commission and maintain backflow prevention devices
- CPCPWT4023 Commission and maintain hot and heated water temperature control devicesmust have completed the pre-requisite units:
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CPCPCM2043 Carry out WHS requirements
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CPCPWT3022 Install and commission water heating systems and adjust controls and devices
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Before you apply
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.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
