Trade business costs · VIC · 2026-27
How much does a plumber licence cost in Victoria?
About $369 a year in 2026-27, annualised across renewal periods. Licensed plumber annual licence renewal $369.00. 2026-27 (Victorian Building Authority). Source: regulator
What it costs to run a plumber business in Victoria
The licence is the cost everyone googles - it's rarely the one that hurts. Here's the rest of the fixed-cost picture for plumbers in Victoria, all 2026-27 figures:
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | $369/yr | Annualised across renewal periods |
| Vehicle rego | $792/yr | Includes TAC (CTP). Zone-based - using metro average. No business surcharge. |
| WorkCover | 3.84% of wages | Only if you employ anyone. WIC E32310 Plumbing Services industry rate, 2026-27 Premiums Order. |
| Long service levy | 2.7% of pay | 2.7% of ordinary pay. Construction industry only - does NOT apply to automotive, cleaning, etc. LeavePlus (ex-CoINVEST). |
| Public liability | ~$1,000/yr | Sole-trader plumber public liability, ~$5-20M cover: typical ~$900-1,200/yr. VIC plumbers must hold compulsory plumber's warranty/consumer-protection cover, usually bundled into the policy - not a separate charge. |
How VIC compares: plumber licence fees by state
| State | Annualised licence cost |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | $260/yr |
| Victoria | $369/yr |
| Queensland | $324/yr |
| Western Australia | $269/yr |
| South Australia | $598/yr |
| Tasmania | $500/yr |
| ACT | $160/yr |
| Northern Territory | $500/yr |
Other trades: electricians in VIC · builders in VIC · mechanics in VIC
These costs are why your hourly rate isn't your wage
Every dollar above has to come out of the jobs you do - before you've paid yourself a cent. If your charge-out rate was set by asking around, it may not carry these costs plus the vehicle, tools, fuel and the quiet weeks.
Two minutes in our free hourly rate calculator shows what you're actually keeping per hour. figrd works the same numbers out in the quote builder, from your own costs, every time you price a job.
Get set up with figrdFigures are for the 2026-27 financial year, last reviewed 2026-06-28. Annualised licence costs spread multi-year renewals across each year. Where a regulator had not yet published its 2026-27 fees at that review, the current fee is shown. WorkCover rates are base or suggested rates - your actual premium depends on claims history - and insurance figures are market estimates, not official rates. Always confirm current figures with your state regulator before relying on them. This is general information, not financial advice.