1. We pay more. We care more.

At Master Plumbers, we have a team of professionals whose job is to shape your apprenticeship experience. This dedicated team of Field Officers help to monitor your progress, help you troubleshoot and keep you engaged in work.

We also pay more than the Award:

• Above Award hourly rates in the domestic sector
• We will pay you as if you have completed year 12, even if you haven’t
• We will match the Union EBA rates when you are working in that environment
• We will pay you Fares and Travel, which amounts to approx $100 per week when you wouldn’t be entitled to it if working direct for a Plumber. We even pay this for you to travel to and from your Registered Training Organisation
• We allocate your centre of employment to one of our PICAC training centres which means your travel radius is bespoke to you
• We pay all Apprentices Co-Invest and convert your unused personal leave to portable sick leave upon completion, regardless of the environment you work in
  We pay Public Holidays at the rate where you are placed
• We average out your time working in Union EBA or Domestic environments and pay for your time at Trade School at the rate where you’ve spent the most time

2. Benefit from job placements in different plumbing companies in commercial, industrial and domestic sectors

Our Plumbing-specific scheme is the only one of its kind in Victoria. We only do plumbing. The scheme is designed to make sure our Apprentices don’t get bogged down doing the same repetitive job for the term of their apprenticeship.

We have Host Employers working across greater Melbourne in numerous fields. As an Apprentice with PAV, our program seeks to move you to Host Employers who need a hand.

So for your Apprenticeship you will get a greater variety of experience by being placed with many different types of plumbing companies in commercial, industrial and domestic environments.

This gives you unrivalled connections that you can call upon when you graduate.

If you are adaptable, enjoy meeting new people and always keeping things interesting, this might be for you.

3. Get access to our Private Registered Training Organisation in State of the Art facilities

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) is the most innovative training complex in Victoria.

Master Plumbers is the only plumbing training provider with access to these unique and highly sought after facilities.

Read more about state-of-the-art training facilities

4. Get through the VBA “Journeyman’s” exam the first time

Our graduating students exceed industry expectations.

When it’s time to sit your final exam, our apprentices can rest easy knowing our average pass rate is in the high 90% range, far above the state average. Our graduates are more employable and in a better position to choose the plumbing job they want.
Transition straight into employment when you finish your apprenticeship
When you complete your Apprenticeship, you can seamlessly transition to our arm that handles qualified labour Plumbing Staff Solutions.

5. And when it comes time to start your own business, we’re here to help.

Full member benefits for participating plumbing businesses, include: product and services discounts, OHS, Industrial Relations, continued professional development, specialist training and more. A lifetime of Master Plumbers membership means a lifetime of business and career support.

As a Group Training Scheme PAV is your legal employer.

• PAV is responsible for all of your employment arrangements and paying you for the work you undertake.
• PAV will enrol you in a Certificate III Plumbing course at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). This may be the Master Plumbers’ own RTO or another TAFE.
• PAV will source work placements for you to complete the “on the job” components of your apprenticeship.
• These placements with a host employer may vary in length from as little as a week through to the whole of your apprenticeship. Your work placements may be changed due to the demand for labour by the host or by planned rotation to ensure that you work in all areas of plumbing during your apprenticeship.

Applying for an apprenticeship is like applying for a job. Successful applicants will receive an offer of employment. As a Master Plumbers apprentice you will receive career guidance and regular, paid work-placements in a variety of plumbing disciplines.

Apply now

It’s important all applicants know what they’re signing up for. It’s also a legal requirement that you read all documentation about the terms of the Apprenticeship.

This documentation is also a great way to learn more about the Master Plumbers training, health and safety, professional standards and employment opportunities.

Please note: If your application is successful, these documents and other essential information will be covered during your job interview and pre-employment induction.

Get to know our leadership team and your Field Officers. Our aim is to make sure you’re going to get the right training that best suit needs.

Applicants who progress to this stage will be asked to:

• Attend an interview in person, located at our Head Office
• Complete a short literacy and numeracy test

Please note, these tests are conducted to ensure applicants have a literacy and numeracy level suitable to be able to complete a Plumbing Apprenticeship. Being able to calculate volumes, flow rates, areas and read, interpret and understand complex Australian Standards and other Codes are essential.

Applicants who pass the interview will be invited to a pre-employment induction.

Well done! You’ve made it this far – but there are still a few things both you and we need to be sure about. 

Before commencing work, all new employees (or apprentices) will be required to complete a practical OHS Induction to ensure you have basic hand skills, use ladders and the like.

Following this, you will be required to attend a comprehensive pre-employment medical examination which includes a full toxicology (drug) screening. The answers you provide in your application form will be provided to the Doctor to assess your capacity to work as a Plumbing Apprentice.

Please note that drug residues store in the body following cessation of use – the times vary depending on the drug. Our experience is that apprentices using Marijuana for example can return a positive result even 3 months after last use.

You’ll learn more about this during your induction.

During induction we will size you up for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and your uniform. We pay for the PPE and uniform up to the limits set in the PAV EBA.

You will also be required to ensure you obtain your initial toolkit. We have a preferential rate with Total Tools and Milwaukee exclusive to PAV Apprentices.

Please note, Apprentices are required to use and/or wear the correct PPE at all times whilst working for your employer. More information will be provided during your induction. 

Our Host Employer scheme is the only one of its kind dedicated to Plumbing in Victoria. The scheme is designed to make sure our learners don’t get bogged down doing the same repetitive job for the term of their apprenticeship.

Master Plumbers Apprentices benefit from regular work placements in all plumbing streams, including:

• Water
• Sanitary plumbing
• Drainage
• Mechanical Services
• Roofing
• Gas Services

All apprentices do their off-site training at a Registered Training Organisation of PAV’s choice. We however involve you in that choice.

PAV Apprentices receive access to conduct their training at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, or PICAC in one of three locations in Victoria

You must complete formal training in the Certificate III in Plumbing as part of your apprenticeship.

It is usually taught over 27 weeks, 9 weeks per year over the first 3 years of your Apprenticeship.

Read the Certificate III in Plumbing course guide

Now you’ve completed your formal training, you will need to sit your journeyman’s exam, complete your apprenticeship and continue working as a plumber

Commonly referred to as the Journeymans’ exam, our graduates consistently pass this exam well ahead of the curve and are among the most employable plumbers in the state.

Read more about plumbing registration

Master Plumbers’ job career support doesn’t end after your apprenticeship. From our employee’s first job, to starting their own business or assistance with succession planning and retirement, we’re here to help.

The next step for all registered plumbers is to go for your plumbing license and specialise in your preferred field of plumbing.