How to become a Drainer
Also called: Plumber and Drainer
Installs, maintains and designs below-ground drainage systems and associated sewerage or effluent disposal systems.
Main tasks
- Studies drawings and specifications to determine layout of plumbing systems and materials required
- Installs sewerage and effluent pumping equipment and disposal systems
- Installs below-ground drainage systems, including pipes, fittings and fixtures
- Tests, maintains and repairs drainage systems to ensure proper functioning, and clears blockages if required
- Conducts inspections and maintenance of sewerage or effluent disposal systems
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (NWP30222); Certificate II in Drainage (CPC20720); Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420); Certificate III in Roof Plumbing (CPC32620); Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $103,480 a year
- About 103,600 people work in this job group now, and about 114,200 are projected by 2035. (+10.2%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Drainer?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Water Industry Operations; Certificate II in Drainage.
How much does a Drainer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $103,480 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Drainer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 103,600 to about 114,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Drainer?
Usually not. Only 1% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Water Industry Operations; Certificate II in Drainage.
Will AI change the work of a Drainer?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04