Mechanical Services Plumber
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$90,800
Full-time annual
People employed
3,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Installs, maintains and repairs piping (excluding drinking water and refrigerant pipework, flow controls and components), ducting and equipment for heating, cooling and ventilation of buildings or vessels.
Scope note: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technicians are excluded from this occupation. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technicians are included in Occupation 382131 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assembles and installs mechanical services plant, air handling and conditioning equipment, and small-bore heating systems
- Maintains and repairs piping (excluding drinking water and refrigerant pipework, flow controls and components), ducting, and equipment for heating, cooling and ventilation systems
- Installs, maintains and tests medical gas systems
- Fabricates and installs sheet metal ductwork around installed systems
- Insulates piping used for hot water or steam pipes
- Installs and commissions single head split systems, ceiling cassette systems and add-on condenser units for ducted systems
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
7%
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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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 II in Drainage
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 & moreCurrent 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 Mechanical Services Plumber.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
4,562 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
4,562 employed
WA
+0.84%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Outer East
3,943 employed
VIC
+4.04%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
3,624 employed
VIC
-13.05%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - West
3,549 employed
VIC
+3.23%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - North East
3,285 employed
VIC
+12.19%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
3,830
Moved in from another occupation
525
Moved to another occupation
360
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 363933
- 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.