Where required, your plumbing plan certifier must ensure the proposed plumbing work and plan complies with the Plumbing Code of Australia and the ACT Planning and Land Authority plumbing and drainage plan standards before they give plumbing plan approval.

Single residential and minor work

Plan approval is not required for drainage of new single residential buildings before work commences. Single residential buildings are those that are a single detached building containing one or two residences and any other buildings, such as garages, associated with them. Dual occupancies are included.

The approval system does not apply to minor plumbing or drainage work (replacement and repairs up to a value of $1000). Minor works must be carried out by a licensed plumber but only an hydraulics compliance (minor works) certificate is required.

Commercial work

Plan approval is required for all commercial plumbing and drainage work and for pipes linked to a water service of 50mm or greater in diameter. Commercial, industrial and public buildings and all housing except single residential buildings are considered to be commercial work.

For commercial work, any significant amendments to the design require a new plan approval. Amendments to plans that are significant and require plan approval include anything that impacts on the design intent, such as creating a new stack or a change in the number of fixture or drainage points. Minor amendments include deviations in the path of the pipe work or connecting a branch a short distance upstream or downstream from where it was shown on the plan. A copy of the latest amended plans must be kept on site as an up-to-date record of work. The installer must keep a record of the parts of the work that have been notified as ready for inspection and the date when that notice was given. The plans must also indicate any minor variations to the approved plans.

Referral authorities

In some cases, plumbing and drainage plans must be approved by a referral authority before a certifier can approve them.

ACTEW is the referral authority for the following kinds of plans:

• disposal of non-domestic waste;
• an increase in the water demand or sewer load;
• a change in the point of connection to the sewerage system or water main;
• the removal of an existing point of connection to the sewerage system or water main;
• a new fire service;
• the discharge of surface or stormwater to the sewer;
• use of a water pumping or sewage pumping appliance.

The Health Protection Service is the referral authority for plans involving the disposal of radioactive materials.

Approval may be refused or subject to conditions.