- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $2,440
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $11,765
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Taught by
- 19 providers
- 7 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how water, drainage and gas systems work
- an eye for detail when reading plans and specifications
- confidence with numbers for estimating and costing jobs
- a cautious approach to risk and safety on site
Before you start
For the operations stream, a candidate must hold a Certificate III in Plumbing or be authorised to undertake plumbing work by an Australian regulator/licensing body. There are no entry requirements for the hydraulic services design pathway.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $2,440
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$8,660 to $11,765
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $2,440 | $240 | $8,660 | 1 to 2 years |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,909 | $782 | $11,765 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,230 | $2,685 | $11,400 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $2,440
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $8,660
- How long
- 1 to 2 years
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,909
- Concession
- $782
- Full fee
- $11,765
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $4,230
- Concession
- $2,685
- Full fee
- $11,400
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 19 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
3 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 to 2 years
- Fee
- From $2,440 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
3 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $4,230 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
5 campuses, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
What you’ll learn
15 units: 10 that everyone takes and 5 you choose.
- Reading and interpreting plans
- Designing sanitary drainage and plumbing
- Sizing stormwater systems
- Designing gas installations
- Hot and cold water services
- Estimating and costing work
See all 10 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It suits plumbers who want to work at a more senior level, such as running their own contracting business or moving into design work. It also reflects experienced plumbing service operators with advanced technical skills, project design and supervision responsibilities, or hydraulic consultants designing systems for domestic, commercial and industrial contexts. Occupational titles include plumbing contractor and hydraulic designer, and roles can lead to plumber or plumbing inspector.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
For the operations stream, you must hold a Certificate III in Plumbing or be authorised to undertake plumbing work by an Australian regulator or licensing body. There are no entry requirements for the hydraulic services design pathway. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
This is a licenced occupation in some jurisdictions, and licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements may vary between states and territories. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.