CCCampCareer

Fire Protection Plumber

Construction & Skilled Trades

Shortage Now

Shortage

States / territories with a shortage signal

NSWShortage
VICShortage
QLDShortage
WAShortage
SAShortage
TASShortage
NTShortage
ACTShortage

Why this shortage: Long training gap

Snapshot

Median salary

A$90,800

Full-time annual

People employed

53,400

Estimated workforce

Shortage signal

Shortage (national)

Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.

Visa pathways

Check current list

Verify on HomeAffairs

What you actually do

Installs, tests, services and repairs water-based fire protection systems, including fire hydrants, hose reels and sprinkler systems.

Specialisations

Sprinkler Fitter

Scope note: Fire alarm technicians and Fire Protection Equipment Technicians are excluded from this occupation. Fire alarm technicians are included in Occupation 382232 Electronic Equipment Trades Worker. Fire Protection Equipment Technicians are included in Occupation 399933 Fire Protection Equipment Technician.

Read official OSCA description

Skills & main tasks

Official main tasks

  • Installs, tests and maintains safety sprinkler systems
  • Installs control valve assemblies, special hazard systems, fixed fire pump sets and portable fire equipment in accordance with Australian standards
  • Connects static storage tanks for fixed fire protection systems
  • Tests and maintains fire hydrant and hose reel installations
  • Tests the integrity and function of water-based fire-suppression systems
  • Inspects, tests and maintains gaseous fire-suppression systems

Where people work

State / territory distribution

VIC
32%
NSW
31.6%
QLD
17.6%
WA
8.2%
SA
6.3%
TAS
1.9%
ACT
1.6%
NT
0.9%

Highest education

Share of workers

Certificate III / IV73.9%
Year 1210.5%
Year 10 and below6.3%
Year 114.1%
Advanced diploma / diploma2.5%
Bachelor degree1.1%
Postgraduate0.2%

Education & work pattern

Part-time

15%

Female rate

1%

Median age

32

2030 & 2035 employment outlook

to 2030

+5%

5,385 projected jobs

to 2035

+10%

10,587 projected jobs

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Credentials & Pathway

OSCA skill level 3

A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.

Registration or licensing

Registration or licensing is required.

Official VET pathways

Certificate III in Fire Protection

Occupation ready

Certificate II in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Plumbing

Transferable skills

Certificate III in Roof Plumbing

Transferable skills

Certificate III in Gas Fitting

Transferable skills

Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

Transferable skills

Real jobs right now

Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & more
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Current vacancy signal

TAS · May 2026

11

QLD · May 2026

311

NT · May 2026

23

VIC · May 2026

325

SA · May 2026

102

AUST · May 2026

1,364

Where could this career take you?

Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Fire Protection Plumber.

Regional demand

Largest employment base

#1 Perth - North West

4,562 estimated employed

  1. 1

    Perth - North West

    4,562 employed

    WA

    +0.84%

    year on year

  2. 2

    Melbourne - Outer East

    3,943 employed

    VIC

    +4.04%

    year on year

  3. 3

    Melbourne - South East

    3,624 employed

    VIC

    -13.05%

    year on year

  4. 4

    Melbourne - West

    3,549 employed

    VIC

    +3.23%

    year on year

  5. 5

    Melbourne - North East

    3,285 employed

    VIC

    +12.19%

    year on year

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Possible next career moves

Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.

2020–2021

Workers in this occupation

39,310

Moved in from another occupation

5,110

Moved to another occupation

3,210

Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.

  1. 1
    Construction Project Manager

    55 observed moves

    Shortage +22035 +22% · +3CSOL listed

    5

    points

  2. 2
    Chief Executive or Managing Director

    70 observed moves

    No shortage +12035 +14% · +2CSOL listed

    3

    points

  3. 3
    Gasfitter

    60 observed moves

    Shortage +22035 +10% · +1CSOL listed

    3

    points

  4. 4
    Mechanical Services Plumber

    50 observed moves

    Shortage +22035 +10% · +1CSOL listed

    3

    points

  5. 5
    Roof Plumber

    45 observed moves

    Shortage +22035 +10% · +1CSOL listed

    3

    points

Data status

Classification
OSCA 363932
Last updated
Refresh pending
Sources
Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia

Labour-market data coverage

  • Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
  • Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
  • Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
  • Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
  • Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
  • Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
  • Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.

Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.