Australia's plumbing industry is booming, but where is the biggest demand for plumbers in Australia? The answer lies in these bustling urban centers and emerging suburban areas, where the need for plumbing services is abundant for those ready to tap into this lucrative market.
Demand for plumbers isn’t evenly distributed across Australia. The following table provides an overview of the top states and cities where plumbers are in the highest demand:
State/City |
Why Demand is High |
New South Wales (Sydney) |
Major infrastructure projects, residential growth, and commercial development. |
Victoria (Melbourne) |
Renovation boom and new housing developments in suburban and urban areas. |
Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast) |
Driven by the 2032 Olympics, tourism growth, and coastal development. |
Western Australia (Perth) |
Mining industry projects and growing demand for water-efficient systems. |
South Australia (Adelaide) |
Focus on green plumbing and upgrades in older homes and infrastructure. |
Here’s a breakdown of plumbing job roles ranked from highest demand to lowest, along with the reasons these roles are essential:
Job Role |
Demand Level |
Why It’s Important |
General Plumber (Residential) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Handles essential services like installing and repairing pipes, fixtures, and water systems in homes, ensuring basic functionality. |
Commercial Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Critical for large-scale systems in office buildings, malls, and restaurants, focusing on water supply, drainage, and sanitation. |
Gas Fitter |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Specialises in installing and maintaining gas systems, essential for heating and cooking, particularly in colder regions. |
Eco-Friendly/Green Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Focuses on sustainable plumbing solutions like solar hot water systems and rainwater harvesting, aligning with government incentives. |
Maintenance Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Handles repairs and upgrades for aging systems in residential and commercial properties, critical for preventing major disruptions. |
Construction Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Supports new housing and infrastructure projects, ensuring proper plumbing systems in large developments and urban areas. |
Roof Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Installs and repairs guttering, downpipes, and roof drainage systems, crucial for stormwater management and building safety. |
Industrial Plumber |
⭐⭐⭐ |
Works on plumbing systems in factories and industrial sites, focusing on large-scale water and waste management needs. |
Specialised Heritage Plumber |
⭐⭐ |
Provides niche expertise for repairing and maintaining plumbing in historic homes and buildings, often requiring customised solutions. |
Emergency/On-Call Plumber |
⭐⭐ |
Responds to urgent issues like burst pipes and blocked drains. Demand depends on location and time (e.g., urban areas, weekends). |
The demand for plumbers in Australia has been influenced by various key drivers emanating from the economic conditions, construction activities, maintenance needs, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Demographics and Urbanization: The population of Australia crossed the 25-million mark in 2023. Further, there is rapid growth in urban centers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, urban centers will grow by an estimated 15% over the decade ahead, adding to housing demand and infrastructure requirements. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) - Population and Housing
Contribution of GDP: Construction and plumbing are allied industries. The construction industry accounts for around 9% of Australia's GDP. When the economy improves, so does disposable income, and it is spent on housing and renovations.
Major Projects: Plumbing services are in high demand due to the construction of residential and commercial buildings. Various projects in the urban areas like housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructural upgrading have opened up lucrative opportunities for plumbers. Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources - Construction and Building
Maintenance of Aging Infrastructure is critical due to the increasing number of plumbers needed to address these challenges.: A major part of the existing properties now needs upgrading and repairs. With the shortage of labor in the building and construction industry, skilled plumbers are becoming indispensable in maintaining the plumbing systems of aging infrastructure.
2032 Brisbane Olympics: This 2032 Brisbane Olympics will be an encouragement to mega investments into building of infrastructures including the building of new sport arenas and new housing accommodation roads, transportation systems among others. Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Government Financed Projects: Both Federal Governments and the various states Governments within Australia invest so much into building key infrastructural facilities including The Australian Government - Infrastructure Investment Program which commits funding into some projects in many various industries around.
Green Building Practices: Increasingly, the need to be more sustainable and eco-friendly has raised the demand for plumbers with specialized green technologies, such as water-efficient fixtures and appliances, installation of rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems.
Government Initiatives: Incentive programs for energy-efficient plumbing practices spur businesses and home-owners to more sustainable solutions.
Smart Plumbing Technologies are essential for addressing modern plumbing issues.: Introduction of smart technologies in plumbing systems, such as smart meters and advanced leak detection systems, is in great demand for plumbing skills. It opens up opportunities for the existing plumbers to skill up and meet the emerging market demands.
Population Growth in Regional Areas: With the increase in congestion in cities, there is a growing trend in the development of regional and suburban areas. This is also supported by government initiatives for decentralization, further creating demand for plumbing services in less urbanized regions.
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A: Average a plumber makes $70,000 to $100,000 every year, with commercial and specialized plumbers making more due to the high demand for skilled tradespeople.
A: Yes, rebates and grants are available by the Australian government for installing green plumbing systems such as rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems.
A: Usually, an apprenticeship lasts for four years and combines on-the-job training with coursework.
A: You will need to finish a plumbing trade apprenticeship and then contact your state's licensing authority to apply for your trade license to become a plumber.
A: Yes, each state has its own licensing requirements. For instance, plumbers in Queensland need to register with the QBCC.
A: You have to finish a Certificate III in Plumbing and do an apprenticeship with a licensed plumber.
A: Yes, there are many training providers offering such short courses in eco-friendly systems, gas fitting, or maintenance plumbing.