How To Become A Plumber In WA – And Why?

SO YOU WANT TO BE A PLUMBER?  

OF COURSE YOU DO! THE GREATEST MINDS EVER TO HAVE EXISTED AGREE WITH YOU. 

“If I could do it all again, I’d be a plumber” – not the words of Scotty Cam, but the famed German physicist, philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein in 1954.  

At Fremantle Plumbing, we’ve been in business as the blocked drain experts in Perth since 1952 and whilst we are not going to say we had a direct impact on the celebrated scientist’s thoughts on the matter two years later, we’re certainly not going to deny we had anything to do with it. After all, even 70 years ago our services quickly gained a world-class reputation for reliability, resourcefulness and delivery. 

So why would one of the greatest scientists who ever lived say he would have liked to have been a plumber? Our belief is that much like the good professor’s contribution to the world of science, there is a great deal of problem solving that goes into being a good plumber and like any scientist worth his salt you also have to work with and understand materials such as copper, aluminium, plastic, zinc & iron.  

But what Einstein was really getting at was the job satisfaction that comes with working on the tools and getting positive results for happy customers. That’s certainly one of the reasons why we enjoy being well-respected plumbers in Fremantle and the wider Perth region. In fact, to quote another great man – James P. Gorman – “It’s fair to say that when you consider the contribution of plumbing to human life, the other sciences fade into insignificance.” Well said Jim! 

Whilst we are humble plumbers at Fremantle Plumbing, we acknowledge that we are often regarded as something of a superhero in the community. Maybe it’s because, just like Batman, we wear impressive tool belts complete with wrenches, spanners, saws, cutters and drills. Is it any wonder that Michael Caine was drawn to a role in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy when he himself had been a plumber’s apprentice? 

Or maybe it’s because our hard work unblocking drains and tackling burst pipes was celebrated by Nintendo when it brought us the Super Mario computer games? Ok, so whilst we may have rescued a few princesses in our time, we are probably more likely to be seen dealing with blocked drains in Perth rather than fighting off evil deranged turtles in the Mushroom Kingdom. That said, we appreciate the nod Nintendo, we really do. We recognise saving the day is all in a day’s work. 

So what do plumbers actually do? 

As a plumber, you can expect to install and repair water, gas, drainage and sewer systems. Our domain is everything from toilets, showers, sinks and baths to engineering plumbing systems and design.  

At Fremantle Plumbing we work in drainage and commercial plumbing, specialist industrial work for the oil and gas industry, fuel tank fabrication and sales along with wastewater treatment. Not only that, but we have extensive experience in residential plumbing and gas fitting as well as strata management, civil construction and liquid waste services.  

We can do everything in the Perth and Fremantle area when it comes to plumbing. So that means gutter and downpipe cleaning, providing hot water services, servicing blocked drains and repairing burst pipes. We unblock toilets of course, but at the other end, we manage shutdowns and plant maintenance on some of the biggest industrial projects in WA.  

Why be a plumber? 

There are a number of other reasons why being a plumber is a good idea. As the best drain plumbers in Perth we have some experience in this field, so let us explain why: 

1. JOB SECURITY: One of the best reasons to become a plumber is that there is a degree of job security that other trades and occupations simply don’t provide you. In a world where AI and machines are taking over, the role of the good, hard working, honest plumber is always going to provide for you and your family. 

2. NO STUDENT LOANS: Rather than paying a lot of money for an expensive education and ending up with HEX debt, you will actually get paid while you learn as an apprentice. 

3. IT’S A CAREER: When you begin your life as a plumber it may just be a job to you. But as you grow in the role and develop not only your skills but other people’s it really does become a career. 

4. VARIETY: No two days are the same as a plumber. You will meet and work with new people all the time. Sometimes we work indoors, sometimes it’s outdoors. Projects range from household repairs to incredibly large and challenging industrial jobs. You’ll definitely get your hands dirty! 

5. NOT A 9-5!: When you first start out you will probably be up early and finishing early. As you progress at Fremantle Plumbing you could be asked to work on our emergency call outs at any time of the day or night. Remember what we said about being superheroes! We always answer the call. 

6. JOB FULFILLMENT: If you speak to any of our team at Fremantle Plumbing, they we tell you the same thing. We get an enormous sense of satisfaction in helping people out each and every day. It’s genuinely a rewarding experience and you really are treated like a hero when you respond to people’s needs. Most of us get a thrill out of it, even when we’ve been in the business a long time. 

7.  THE MONEY IS GOOD: It’s important to like what you do, but let’s be honest, we all have bills to pay and need to put food on the table. Working as a plumber is a good, honest, well-paying job for school leavers. You get an hourly rate which goes up each year as you progress. 

Any other good reasons? 

Yes! One of the things we love in the plumbing business is having our own language. There’s no secret to the fact that working as a plumber is unsanitary at times, so it’s important to have a good sense of humour and that’s often toilet humour and represented in the lingo we use. 

It’s fun to refer to the gent’s toilet as the snake house. A typical conversation between plumbers may go something like this: 

DRAIN PLUMBER PERTH: “What happened to the porcelain throne mate?” 

PLUMBER FREMANTLE: “We had a nija pooper at work in there and their bowel towels have made a right mess and clogged up the wizbin.” 

DRAIN PLUMBER PERTH: “Why would you? You should be proud when you make a big splash. No point in wasting poo tickets.” 

Anything else I should know? 

To work as a plumber in WA, you need to have a Plumbing Tradesperson License or Plumbing Contractor License from the Plumbing Licensing Board of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. 

To lend your services to the construction industry you will also need a Construction Induction Card – also known as a “white card”. 

Ok, I’m convinced – when do I start? 

To become a plumber in an educational environment, you usually need to undertake an apprenticeship in plumbing and gas fitting. Ordinarily, this will take around 48 months to complete and is available in school-based apprenticeships. 

As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer, enabling you to complete training towards a nationally recognised qualification. This is one of the best ways to learn as you’ll get on the job training and develop practical skills alongside skilled professionals. You’ll also earn as you learn. 

You may begin an apprenticeship or traineeship while you’re still at school, as a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or even as a mature-aged person looking for a fulfilling career change. 

If you are still at school, it’s worth chatting to your school’s VET coordinator. 

Surprise yourself 

There are some surprising people who have been plumbers. Ozzy Osbourne and Michael Flatley both trained as plumbers and the Lord of the Dance even ran a plumbing business.  

Why don’t you surprise yourself and take up plumbing today? Go for it – there’s nothing to lose! 

For more information on becoming a plumber in WA, click here.