Plumber
As a Plumber, you’ll provide plumbing support at Air Force bases, isolated temporary airfields and construction sites. You’ll get to apply your skills and training in a range of different environments, establishing and maintaining fresh water supplies, managing wastewater and installing gas systems.
What you'll do
This is an exciting role that will take you wherever members of the Air Force are deployed, whether it’s a base, isolated temporary airfield or construction site in Australia or overseas. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary and highly mobile team of tradespeople, you’ll install, maintain and repair water reticulation, drainage, treatment systems and other plumbing facilities.
You’ll also have opportunities to participate in deployed operations in partnerships with the Army in remote areas located in Australia or overseas.
Your duties may include:
- the installation, maintenance and repair of water pipes and pumps
- the installation, maintenance and repair of drainage and treatment systems
- conforming to Quality Assurance (QA) requirements
- assisting in site preparation
- maintaining and complying with workplace health and safety practices
- assisting with the preparation of bills of materials
- conducting site inspections for minor construction tasks
- providing advice to, and liaising with, project personnel on matters relating to plumbing and construction requirements
- assisting in the compilation of specifications, scopes of works and cost estimates
- maintaining tools and equipment
- operate and maintain water purification systems.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training within your chosen role. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and help you to lead teams of aviators in future.
You'll have the opportunity to progress to the rank of Corporal. After completing Construction Foreman training, you can work your way up to Sergeant as a Works Supervisor, in healthy competition with those in other Airfield Engineering disciplines. Further training in construction and project management is completed to follow a career path up to the rank of Warrant Officer.
You'll be employed at various units and bases within Australia, such as:
- RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
- RAAF Base Townsville, Qld.
As a Corporal, you can also be employed instructing at the Army School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Latchford Barracks, Vic or attached to Army Engineering Units for specific tasking.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
The things I’ve done, I wouldn’t have done as a civilian plumber.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Qualified applicants must hold:
- current Certificate Level III Plumbing trade qualification
- Statement of Attainment of Certificate IV in Plumbing Services subjects required to hold open plumber and drainer licence
- current open plumber and drainer workers licence issued by an approved State or Territory licencing authority which allows the holder to conduct and certify water supply, sanitary and drainage works without restriction
- proof of current trade experience and must have completed a minimum of 12 months trade work post-award of qualification.
Recognised current Certificate III qualifications include:
- Certificate III in Plumbing (N.B. mandatory streams are Water, Sanitary and Drainage, acceptable additional streams are Roofing or Gas).
Minimum Certificate IV units include:
- Design and size sanitary drainage systems
- Design and size stormwater drainage systems
- Design and size domestic treatment plant disposal systems
- Design and size sanitary plumbing systems
- Design and size heated and cold-water services and systems.
You must also have passes in Year 10 English and Maths in addition to holding the relevant trade qualification. If you don’t satisfy the education requirements for this trade, or do not possess evidence of the educational requirements, there are alternative career paths available to you.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
During this training, you'll transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
The major elements of the course include:
- personal development and teamwork
- parade drill
- weapon handling and firing
- airfield defence
- fire fighting
- physical fitness
- Air Force history, customs and traditions
- military law.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Plumbers are currently recruited with the required skills set to meet the core competencies of Air Force Plumbers. After completing Initial Military Training (IMT) at RAAF Base Wagga, NSW, you’ll proceed on posting to 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron located at either RAAF Base Richmond or Townsville. Further Airfield Engineering and Military specific training will be undertaken throughout your career.
A number of specialist Airfield Engineering courses will provide you with further training across a variety of subjects, providing skill sets to meet operational requirements. As a Plumber, you’ll also be required to undertake core training courses for your continued career progression.
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 54 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
You’ll need to have successfully completed Year 10 curriculum developed by a board of studies (or equivalent) in an Australian state or territory with passes in Year 10 English and Maths.
Please note, Consumer Maths, Maths in Society and similarly modified Maths subjects are not suitable. These entry qualifications are the minimum required to understand engineering principles covered during later phases of training.
Applicants without the minimum educational qualification may be considered if they possess relevant work experience or tertiary qualifications.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
During this training, you'll transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
The major elements of the course include:
- personal development and teamwork
- parade drill
- weapon handling and firing
- airfield defence
- fire fighting
- physical fitness
- Air Force history, customs and traditions
- military law.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: ADF Plumber Course
Duration: 16 months
Location: Army School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Wodonga, Vic
During the Initial Trade Training Plumber Course at ASEME, you’ll be taught the following skills:
- drainage
- sanitary plumbing
- gas fitting
- roofing
- mechanical services
- water supply.
Course: On-the-job training
Duration: 24-36 months
Location: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
You’ll undertake 24-36 months of on-the-job training at the School of Military Engineering at Holsworthy Barracks, NSW. After completing this training, you may be eligible for a Certificate III in Plumbing.
You’ll then proceed on posting to the 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron located at either RAAF Base Richmond or Townsville. You’ll undertake further Airfield Engineering and Military specific training throughout your career.
There are a number of specialist Airfield Engineering courses that will provide you with further training across a variety of subjects to provide skill sets to meet operational requirements. You’ll also be required to undertake core training courses required for your career progression.