Taps

Standards
Compliance requirements for embellishments
Note:
- Where Australian Standards or part thereof have been adopted by legislation, they are a legal requirement.
- This list may not be exhaustive. Please refer to the relevant authority websites for updated information and current document distribution dates. These documents are subject to amendments from time to time.
Legislation
Refer Legislation for guidance.
Australian Standards/industry guidelines
National Construction Code (NCC)
The embellishment shall be developed in accordance with the NCC (current edition):
- Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volumes 1 and 2
- Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) Volume 3.
Safety in design (SiD)
Include Safety in Design (SiD) principles to eliminate, or if not reasonably practical, minimise risks to health and safety throughout the design, construction and life of the embellishment.
See Legislation – Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for additional safety guidance.
Taps and plumbing
- AS/NZS 3500:2018 (Set) – Plumbing and drainage. Specifies the requirements for the design, installation and commissioning of cold water services from a point of connection to the points of discharge, and non-drinking water from a point of connection to the points of discharge. It applies to new installations as well as alterations, additions and repairs to existing installations.
- AS 3688:2016 – Water supply and gas systems – Metallic fittings and end connectors. Provides for a range of fittings that allow for a mixture of pipe materials to be used.
- AS/NZS 3718:2005 – Water supply – Tapware. Specifies requirements for taps of various materials.
- AS/NZS 4020:2018 Testing of products for use in contact with drinking water – Specifies requirements for the suitability of products for use in contact with drinking water, with regard to their effect on the quality of water.
- AS 5200.000:2006 – Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Procedures for certification of plumbing and drainage products. An outline of the Watermark Certification Scheme (WMCS). A mandatory certification scheme for plumbing and drainage products to ensure products are fit for purpose.
- Queensland Urban Drainage Manual 2013 (QUDM) – Provides stormwater managers with an extensive guideline on current best practices for planning and design of urban drainage systems. Also provides recommended minimum grades for wastewater pipes.
Designing for access and inclusion
- AS 1428 (Set) – Design for access and mobility. Design requirements for new building work to provide access for people with disabilities. This Standard is referenced in legislation.
Designing for safety (CPTED)
- Queensland Government – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) – Guidelines for Queensland, 2021. Provides guidelines about designing a safe environment to assist in the prevention of the opportunity for crime.
Erosion and sediment control
- Best Practice Erosion and Sediment Control (BPESC) documents - IECA Australasia. Erosion and sediment control documents by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
- Queensland Acid Sulfate Soil Technical Manual: Soil Management Guidelines. Technical and procedural advice to avoid environmental harm and to assist in achieving best practice environmental management (BPEM).
- Procedural guide (Environmental Protection Act 1994) - Releases to waters. Best practice guide to achieve water quality objectives and management goals:
- from building sites and small construction sites less than 2500 m2
- from land development sites and construction sites greater than 2500 m2.
Trees
- AS 4970:2025 – Protection of trees on development sites. Provides guidance on the principles for protecting trees on land subject to development.
- AS 2303:2018 – Tree stock for landscape use. Specifies the criteria for the assessment of above-ground and below-ground characteristics of tree stock that are to be supplied for landscape use.
- AS 4373:2007 – Pruning of amenity trees. Specifies methods for pruning trees and gives guidance on correct and uniform practices.
Approvals/authorised person
Taps, plumbing and underground services
All plumbing is regulated by council under state government legislation requirements including but not limited to:
- Taps must be installed by a plumber licensed to carry out the required work.
- A plumbing compliance permit is required for water supply plumbed to a new tap on council land.
- All fittings and pipes must have Watermark approval.
- An inspection shall be carried out on request to Council (Building and Plumbing Services). Following the satisfactory inspection of all associated plumbing and/or drainage work, a ‘Compliance Certificate’ may be issued.
- If there is no water supply available an application must be made to Unitywater for a new water meter (this may not apply in all situations). The water meter’s default size is to be 25 mm.
QBCC licensed builder
In Queensland, individuals and companies must hold a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) license to carry out:
- Any building work valued over the QBCC amount (includes all labour and material costs regardless of who supplies the materials)
- Building work of any value where it involves:
- Plumbing and drainage.
Coastal management district
- Ensure appropriate environmental approvals are obtained and the conditions observed where any building work is proposed in the Coastal Management District.
- Consult with Queensland Government Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) – State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) for application forms, guidelines and information sheets.
Other
- Ensure all relevant approvals are obtained from the appropriate governing bodies and all conditions are observed.
- Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) approval is required for works near state controlled roads. This applies to any part of the road reserve including pathways, kerb and channelling, nature strip and traffic island.
Council additional requirements
Corporate documents
- Council (Development Services) – all works associated with any development application.
Corporate liaison
Developer delivered assets
- Council (Development Services) – all works associated with any development application.
Council delivered assets
- Council (Parks and Gardens) – recreation parks, amenity reserves, linear parks, landscape corridors, sports grounds and recreation trails enquiries relating to asset management, business planning and direction.
- Council (Environmental Operations) – recreation trails, foreshore infrastructure, environment reserves, constructed waterbodies and wetlands.
- Council (Design and Placemaking Services) – recreation parks, amenity reserves, linear parks, landscape corridors, sports grounds, specific purpose (sports), recreation trails and streetscape/centres enquiries relating to design.
- Council (Development Services – Plumbing Services) – plumbing compliance.
This component is currently in development