disciplinary levy $271.91
licence $102.22
certificate $51.11

where does the other $85.87 go?

What a f****ing rip off.

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/licensing-and-up-skilling/45/dollar511-11-to-get-licensed-as-a-certifying-plumber/576/

Yep, youre right, I rang them today to complain about the $511 and was told its actually $783.02.
This is an absolute bloody rip off! How can it possibly cost that much to get some cards printed, change a few entries on a database, get a $3 certificate printed and posted out, and discipline other plumbers for not being registered? No wonder theyre not f****in registered, its too bloody expensive!

Have you joined the PGDB Federation yet?  They are hot on fees and have been blasting the PGDB about it since their inception.  They currently have a case before the Regulation Review Committee and are waiting on a decision around fee charges and their legality.  If you are not a member (it is FREE to join) then check the section on this website with the newsletters and send your info through to them.  You'll be added to the data base and get their newsletter by email each week.  Unfortunately with the PGDB and government it is all about the numbers you represent when you talk to them.

It is a HUGE barrier for young men and women wanting to get on in the trade and the initial costs for registration are, I am sure, stopping some people picking up their registration.  As to wage increases, I can see where you are coming from, but at the moment most employers are finding it vey difficult out there to keep afloat themselves and are not entertaining wage increases, at least on any grand scale.  I encourage my staff to put money aside in their tool account to meet the cost of registration.  Apprentices need to start saving a few dollars a week from the day they sign up to have the cash ready when they want to register.  After the first year it will cost you just for the yearly licence and the huge disciplinary levy.

Kind of leaves a bitter taste in your mouth though when you have done all this hard work!

Hi Plumbed Off

I am totally disgusted with this situation. I have just this minute emailed a complaint the Maurice Williamson about your plight. I see it as a barrier to entry into the industry.  Under the Act the PGDB is not to impose barriers to entry into the industry and should be held accountable for it. Last year we laid a complaint with the Regulation Review Committee about the Board's fee structure but so far haven't got a result.

Can you please contact me at wal.gordon@xtra.co.nz.  We can't guarantee a happy ending but will do everything we can to help you.  If anyone else out there is in the same situation please contact us.

Here to support you

Kind Regards

Wal Gordon
Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Federation   

Have you joined the PGDB Federation yet?

Where do we join? Sorry if I missed the where bit

Yeh I am brassed off too - these fees are a joke, seriously looking to head overseas to Australia where the industry appears to be in much better shape than ours, better upskilling (from what I have seen) and where plumbers are paid what they are worth. NZ is a sad state of affairs 

Employers paying 18 an hour for a qualified drainlayer is downright ridiculous.  Maybe we need a new thread discussing current hourly rates for employees - that would open another big can of worms - 

Thanks Mr Aboutgas - i have emailed Wal and offered to help in any way

I love it, your right mate it's time to hit these pricks where it hurts. Numbers. An army of tradesman standing up to say PGDB you are full of S*#T . We need to get the word out more. I'm in sleepy old wanganui and only just heard of the federation, havnt been on here in some time on the forums but im back to stay. If we have the majority of the trade on our side we cant lose and they have to listen.

im like you fordy im rearly on the cusp of deciding wether to sit here in nz and be treated like some fu**wit who hasnt done a full apprentiship of FOUR YEARS TRANING and is going to need to spend thousands EACH AND EVERY SINGLE YEAR in fu**in stupid upskilling courses each and every damb year while im in practise...or do i fly the coup to aussie or uk where I WILL GET TREATED LIKE A BLOODY fully trained RESPECTED tradesman!...the plumbing industry does not move fast enough to warrant this yearly upskilling scam! and im so so F**KED OFF at this bloody corner the pgdb is pushing practionishners into...

you're not the only one...


the easy option is to move on - hell i'm contemplating the exact same

as has been said - if anything is to change then it will be done with numbers via the federation

the ones that stand to benefit are the last remaining to stand that stick it out