Work requiring inspections 

Information for plumbers and drainers

What type of work should I book an inspection for? 

By law, you must book an inspection for all work covered by a Notice of Work (NoW).

Plumbers and drainers in Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and the Newcastle area must book an inspection for:

• all external drainage including the point of connection to the Network Utility Operator's sewer
• all internal drainage
• alterations and additions to existing drainage
  In the case of alterations and additions, internal and external drainage work would be considered one inspection when internal drainage extends no more than 3 meters past the building alignment before joining the external house drainage line.  
• work that did not comply in any earlier inspections
• any work on an alternative water supply system (for example recycled water plumbing, greywater/blackwater treatment systems)
• when the work is complete (ie. a final inspection). This happens when all fixtures are fitted and connected, including correct termination of overflow gullies, inspection shafts, boundary traps, vents and inspection openings.

Go to the Fair Trading website to download the Point of Connection explanatory notes.

Trade waste applications, treatments and discharges

The Network Utility Operator (NUO) retains responsibility for trade waste applications, treatments and discharges throughout Sydney, the Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Newcastle areas.

NSW Fair Trading is responsible for the drainage to and from the trade waste apparatus.

For more information go to the Sydney Water website or visit Hunter Water's website.

When must I book an inspection?

Inspections are generally required when:

• drainage work is finished and before backfilling or covering the installation
• a connection to a NUO sewer main is finished and before backfilling
• Fair Trading requests an inspection, ie. when there is a need for re-inspection or for an inspection of non-compliant work.

In certain circumstances an inspection may be carried out at any time during the installation process. For instance when sanitary plumbing is finished and before the premises are occupied (the final inspection).

Recycled water

For alternative and recycled water services, additional inspections are required.

Rainwater tanks

Fair Trading has reviewed the requirements for inspections of rainwater tanks where the tank is collecting water from roof catchments.

As of 1 December 2012, licensees connecting rainwater tanks independently of or to a potable water service are not required to book an inspection in the Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Newcastle Fair Trading areas of operations. 

The plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed plumber and comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia and AS/NZS 3500.

The licensee must issue a Certificate of Compliance to Fair Trading and the owner as required by the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011. Failure to follow these requirements may result in a non-compliance and/or penalty infringement notice.

Fair Trading will review the process at regular intervals and has the right to alter this process as it deems fit.

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