Reports of dodgy and unethical plumbers rise in Canberra
Joe Prevedello • June 24, 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 24 June 2026
There’s been an increase in reports of dodgy and unethical behaviour across the plumbing trade in Canberra. So, if you need a plumber, always engage a Master Plumber, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today.
“The MPA ACT office has experienced a rise in complaints from Canberra consumers over the past month who have been overcharged or overquoted for simple plumbing jobs or given the wrong advice about necessary works where rogue operators attempt to trick customers into paying much more than they need to,” Joe Prevedello said.
“It could be a situation where a client’s outside drains are blocked and someone posing to be a reputable plumber suggests they need their driveway or front yard ripped up to fix the problem. The plumber quotes the client thousands of dollars to fix the blockage when an adequate solution really should be a fraction of the cost, without having their property excavated.
“A common feature of these unfortunate scenarios includes the deployment of aggressive sales tactics where customers are pressured to provide payment either in full or part thereof for expensive works that aren’t yet completed.
“My message to Canberrans is, if you need to engage a plumber for any reason, choose a member of Master Plumbers ACT. Don’t be afraid to ask if your plumber or gasfitter is licensed for the work you want them to do, for a reasonable estimate of costs associated with new works or a maintenance request, and if they’re a member of the MPA ACT (as all our members are peer vetted and industry leading).
“We issue this warning because we are hearing an increasing number of unfortunate stories where consumers, particularly seniors or those of a non-english speaking background, are being taken advantage of by unethical tradies. This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. It’s not tolerated by the MPA ACT and the vast majority of Canberra’s responsible and professional plumbing and gasfitting industry,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 11 June 2026 This week’s 2026-27 ACT Budget could have done more to recognise the work our local plumbing and gasfitting businesses do, providing essential local trade services, employing the next generation of tradies and making an enormous contribution to Canberra and the Capital Region’s local economy. Chief Executive Officer of Master Plumbers ACT Joe Prevedello said, “While there were some high profile and welcome announcements around stamp duty exemptions, reducing the lease variation charge (LVC) and some other measures to boost housing and construction, other decisions contained in the Budget will continue to squeeze our industry. “The average 8 per cent increase in commercial rates, lowering of the payroll tax threshold and increased vehicle taxes will hit businesses who do the heavy lifting employing other tradies, while trying to get ahead in the face of other economic headwinds like increased fuel and materials costs, caused by the Iranian conflict. More also needed to be done to help businesses that employ apprentices. “It’s also disappointing the ACT Government has failed to recognise the significant impact the 2045 natural gas ban will have on local plumbers and gasfitters, with no specific help for an industry transition through a proper plan. This gas ban isn’t necessary, and the Government could stop its progression right now to enhance future certainty for the industry,” Joe Prevedello said. “The point also needs to be made that as residential rates increase beyond inflation, homeowners have less income to fund critical plumbing upgrades and maintenance to their homes. Additionally, many of the suburbs that will experience the largest rates increases are also those with more ageing housing stock that often needs more attention. “We do welcome the specific Budget measures aimed at boosting housing supply in the ‘missing middle’ as well as funding to increase the pipeline of public housing developments, along with existing, earmarked public infrastructure. “Master Plumbers ACT will continue to work with the ACT Government and its agencies to improve operating conditions for the plumbing and gasfitting sector with regards to gas, government taxes and red tape, assisting our wonderful educators at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and the need to crack down on dodgy and unethical plumbers who prey on vulnerable people,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Friday 24 April 2026 The long-awaited removal of ACT rules requiring the installation of greywater pipe systems in new home builds and existing homes under significant renovation, has been welcomed by the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT). “The relaxation of these requirements comes into effect today and the MPA ACT thanks the Government for making these changes following years of campaigning from Canberra’s plumbing industry. These changes to the ACT’s water and sewerage regulations means less red tape and lower costs for new homes and renovations,” MPA ACT Chief Executive Officer, Joe Prevedello said today. “Greywater pipe systems have been mandatory since the mid-2000s adding thousands of extra dollars in cost to new home builds and renovations in the ACT. Most of these systems are never used, with only a handful of homeowners paying to activate them in the last 20 years. “From now on, development applications and building approvals won’t require these greywater systems. They will be voluntary – which directly reduces the cost of building a new home. “This is an excellent example of red tape governments should seek to remove, as the rules failed to deliver what was intended, while reducing choice for new home builders, owners and residents. Canberra’s plumbing industry is commended for identifying this issue and advocating for its removal for the community’s benefit. “We thank Treasurer and Planning Minister Chris Steel for taking this decision that the MPA ACT has long advocated for and seeing through the removal of the rules. It will go some way to reducing the cost of new homes during a housing crisis,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 18 March 2026 During debate in the ACT Legislative Assembly yesterday, the Canberra Liberals recommitted their opposition to the Government’s shutdown of the ACT’s natural gas network. This position is welcomed by Master Plumbers ACT (MPA ACT), Chief Executive Officer, Joe Prevedello said today. “MPA ACT welcomes the Canberra Liberals decision to oppose the natural gas network shutdown to households and businesses. Not only will the progressive closure and decommissioning by 2045 reduce energy choices, but it will also have an unprecedented and tumultuous impact on Canberra’s plumbers and gasfitters, which is why we’re requesting the current Government develops a transition plan with industry,” Joe Prevedello said. “Up to half of what the typical Canberra plumber does is gasfitting connected to the natural gas network, including installing gas heaters, hot water units and cooktops. With that being taken away, it will have an enormous impact on the businesses in our sector and how the trade operates in the ACT.” ACT Opposition Leader Mark Parton, Legislative Assembly (17-3-26) - “…I want to make it abundantly clear the Canberra Liberals do not support the Labor-Greens fixation on phasing out the household gas supply…” “The Canberra Liberals opposed the gas network shutdown ahead of the 2024 ACT Election and we welcome the renewal of this position during this term of the Assembly, and particularly the Opposition’s willingness to halt the shutdown if they form government in the ACT,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 10 March 2026 Tomorrow the 11th of March is World Plumbing Day (WPD) – an initiative of the World Plumbing Council to celebrate and remember the importance of plumbers, drainers and gasfitters everywhere – but especially for us, here in Canberra and the Capital Region, Chief Executive Officer of Master Plumbers ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “Plumbers, drainers and gasfitters perform essential and professional work right across the Canberra community, from plumbing, drainage and gas fitouts in new commercial and residential construction, right through to emergency maintenance in your household. World Plumbing Day is about celebrating the sector and the trade,” Joe Prevedello said. “Thousands of Canberrans owe their livelihoods to our industries, including those on the tools, to those in the office keeping our many and varied plumbing businesses operating. We also thank our magnificent educators, teaching the trade locally at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), as well as the businesses that take apprentices on to develop the next generation.” This year’s WPD theme is Plumbing Connects the World. Plumbing connects health, innovation, opportunities, communities, solutions and everyone. Some quick facts about the global importance of plumbing: · Three in four global jobs depend on water availability · Every dollar invested in water/sanitation yields $4.30 in economic benefits · Percentage of the global population with access to safely managed drinking water increased from 68 to 74 per cent between 2015 and 2024 · Since 2009 more than 3000 natural disasters globally have caused $1.4 billion in recovery costs with significant impacts on water infrastructure · Around 443 million school days are lost annually because of water related diseases, primarily in underserved regions “So, remember how important plumbing and plumbers are for your home and life this World Plumbing Day. From kitchen taps, to toilets, gas heating and showers – the list is endless! Happy World Plumbing Day to all the plumbers out there across Canberra and the World,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Friday 27 February 2026 In the 2026-27 Budget, the ACT Government needs to start properly accounting for the adverse impacts on Canberra’s plumbers and gasfitters caused by its decision to close Canberra’s natural gas network by 2045, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “Addressing the adverse industry impacts of its decision to decommission the ACT’s natural gas network by 2045, headlines the MPA ACT’s 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission, as a critical issue the Government needs to engage with industry on moving forward,” Joe Prevedello said. “We are calling on the Government to allocate funds in the next Budget to kick-start a plumbing and gasfitting industry transition plan process that needs to include funding and policy change across a range of different areas including education and training, government fees and charges, red tape and regulation and the future role of our sector. “The Master Plumbers ACT would much prefer the Government reverses its decision to decommission the gas network, but we recognise they are moving forward with the process and thus an industry transition plan is needed,” Joe Prevedello said. The MPA ACT’s Pre-Budget Submission has also sought requests on: · A reduction in payroll tax and apprentice exemptions · A focus on quality education to meet changing technologies · Red tape reduction to boost industry efficiency, and · A crack-down on dodgy and unethical operators “Canberra’s plumbing, drainage and gasfitting sector is facing economic, policy and political headwinds and the Government needs to work more closely with industry to keep the sector strong into the future,” Joe Prevedello said. “We recognise the Government’s willingness to listen, act and engage with the removal of greywater piping requirements in new home builds and renovations on the cusp of coming to fruition. This is an excellent example of Government and industry working together. “The MPA ACT looks forward to kick-starting the process and working on a transition plan, among our other Pre-Budget Submission requests to help industry,” Joe Prevedello concluded. Find our 2026-27 Pre Budget Submission here .
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 5 February 2026 Peak bodies urge celebration and focus on developing next generation across essential trades for the ACT this National Apprenticeship Week An alliance of local trades-based peak bodies is calling on ACT and federal leaders, policy and decision makers to celebrate and prioritise development of the next generation of local tradies, ahead of National Apprenticeship Week from February 9th to 15th next week. Master Builders ACT, Master Plumbers ACT and NECA ACT believe while there is great work being done by government and industry encouraging the take-up of trade apprenticeships, we can always strive for better. “National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate our next generation of tradies, whether they’re working to become builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, motor mechanics, roofers, boilermakers or any of the other magnificent and essential trades we need to service our economy and way of life here in Canberra,” Master Builders ACT CEO, Anna Neelagama said. “Building and maintaining that constant, qualified and professional workforce through quality apprenticeships is something the ACT and Commonwealth governments need to keep front of mind. Balancing the workforce to meet market conditions is also essential to keep life in Canberra and indeed across the country moving,” Master Plumbers ACT CEO, Joe Prevedello said. “Ensuring the ongoing attraction of taking up a trades-apprenticeship for students, school leavers and mature age candidates is critical when there are so many career choices out there. Then, once the choice is made to take on an apprenticeship, having the best possible education and training is very important to ensure ongoing professionalism, quality and reputation for trades in the future,” Chief Executive Officer NECA Training and Apprenticeships, Tom Emeleus said. The peak body alliance also agrees continued work on ‘destigmatising’ trades-based careers, along with fostering industry pride and promoting the ongoing benefits of a trade career are important focus points for both government and industry. ENDS
MEDIA RELEASE Saturday 29 November 2025 The Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT) welcomes the ACT Government’s move to axe longstanding rules requiring new homes built in Canberra to install greywater pipe systems that most residents never activate, never use and which add thousands of dollars in extra cost to new builds, Chief Executive Officer of MPA ACT, Joe Prevedello said today. The ACT Government has today announced it will push new reforms to make greywater pipe systems voluntary - directly reducing the cost of building a new home. “This announcement is a win in the war against building sector red tape and a practical measure the Government has taken to reduce construction costs in a housing crisis. The move comes from listening to Canberra’s plumbing professionals who install these greywater systems and understand how complex, redundant and ineffectual they are,” Joe Prevedello said. “Greywater pipe systems have been mandatory since the mid-2000s and add thousands of extra dollars in cost to new home builds in the ACT – the only jurisdiction to have such a requirement. Most greywater systems are never used, with only a handful of homeowners paying to activate them in the last 20 years. “This is a good example of the sort of red tape governments should seek to remove as the rule isn’t delivering on its intentions while reducing choice for new home builders, owners and residents. “Canberra’s plumbing industry should be commended for identifying this issue and advocating for its removal for the community’s benefit and we also hope the requirement is removed where it applies to home extensions and renovations. “I thank Treasurer and Planning Minister Chris Steel for taking this decision that the MPA ACT has long advocated for, and hope the change can be implemented as soon as possible,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 19 November 2025 Today, 19 November is the United Nations’ World Toilet Day – a time to recognise the importance of toilets and our essential, local plumbing industry which installs safe sanitation systems here in Canberra, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “We’ll always need the toilet, but in a relatively affluent city by global standards like Canberra, we can easily forget how important they are, and that around half the world’s population still lacks access to safe sanitation,” Joe Prevedello said. The 2025 World Toilet Day theme is ‘Sanitation in a changing world’, focusing on the urgent need for investment in ‘future ready’ system and services. As time moves, pressure on global sanitation is increasing with ageing infrastructure and investment failing to keep up with demand. Globally, 3.4 billion people live without safely managed sanitation services while 354 million still practice open defacation, obviously increasing risk of disease and harm. Sadly, unsafe water sanitation and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000 children every day, across the world. “In Canberra, we should count ourselves lucky that safe access to toilets and sanitation is a given and we should thank the local plumbing industry and our utility Icon Water for the skilled work they carry out daily to keep these systems safe, hygienic and efficient,” Joe Prevedello said. “So, as you’re sitting in peace in the water closet today, remember how lucky you are to have the toilet and the people across Canberra who install, maintain them, and keep them safe and hygienic,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 4 November 2025 The Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT) is advising Canberrans to ‘do their homework’ before engaging plumbers and gasfitters for maintenance or new works, Chief Executive Officer Joe Prevedello said today. “This warning comes following an increase in complaints within industry and to the MPA ACT about consumers being overcharged on jobs or not having requested works adequately completed after engaging a plumber or gasfitter,” Joe Prevedello said. We are asking Canberrans to be discerning when engaging our trades. Don’t be afraid to ask: If your plumber or gasfitter is licensed for the work you want them to do For a reasonable estimate of costs associated with new works or a maintenance request If they’re a member of the MPA ACT (as all our members are peer vetted and industry leading) “Asking a few simple questions like these when enquiring about getting plumbing or gasfitting work done can ensure safety and save consumers pain and money in the long run,” Joe Prevedello said. “We issue this warning because we are hearing an increasing number of unfortunate stories where consumers - particularly seniors or those of a non-english speaking background - are being taken advantage of by unethical tradies. “This sort of behaviour is unacceptable. It’s not tolerated by the MPA ACT and the vast majority of Canberra’s responsible and professional plumbing and gasfitting industry. “Do your homework and ask the questions it could save you in the long run,” Joe Prevedello concluded.
Around 500 people attended the Ace Gutters Plumbing Industry Excellence Awards at the Hellenic Club last Friday night to celebrate quality, hard work and those who go above and beyond across Canberra’s plumbing industries, Chief Executive Officer of the Master Plumbers Association ACT (MPA ACT), Joe Prevedello said today. “Organised by the MPA ACT, the gala event showcased and delivered awards across 22 categories, from apprentices to post-trade and industry excellence. On behalf of our plumbing, drainage and gasfitting industries we congratulate all the winners, category finalists, the great businesses and organisations that put forward nominees and the industry stakeholders who dedicated so much to the awards assessment process,” Joe Prevedello said. “I also thank all the MPA ACT’s members, partners and sponsors for their ongoing support, and of course our major event sponsor, Ace Gutters - because without all of them, these awards wouldn’t go ahead. “Our industries are essential, professional and provide critical services across new construction and residential and commercial maintenance. Imagine what we wouldn’t have and how hard life would be without our plumbers? Once again, I congratulate the industry for coming together last Friday night,” Joe Prevedello concluded. The winners across the 22 categories in 2025 were: Cert III Outstanding Stage 1 Apprentice of the Year Award – Toby Bell – A-Plus Plumbing Cert III Outstanding Stage 2 Apprentice of the Year Award – Luke Simms – DFPG Plumbing Cert III Outstanding Stage 3 Apprentice of the Year Award – Lachlan Friend – Superior Plumbing and Gasfitting Cert III Ernie Dearing Overall Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Toby Bell – A-Plus Plumbing Colin Mills Award for the best all round hard worker – Lachlan Friend – Superior Plumbing and Gasfitting Paul Jurak Evoenergy Gas Excellence Award – Jayden Burleigh – Around Town Plumbing Services & Rowan Reed – Duncan’s Plumbing Service Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Business Principles Course – Thomas Van Moer – Water Tight Canberra Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Gasfitting Course – Cooper Purcell – MSJ Plumbing Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Drainage Course – Aaron Johnston – Dinamic Constructions Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Sanitary Course – Matthew Ward – Level Plumbing Canberra Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student in the Water Course – David Hackett – Custom Plumbing Services Registrar’s Award for the Most Outstanding Post-Trade Student – Thomas Van Moer – Water Tight Canberra Most Outstanding Woman in Plumbing Award – Ashley Condon – Level Plumbing Canberra Outstanding Plumbing Business Service Award – Ben and Lynley Stapleton – Rydeau Plumbing Safety Champion Award – Kris Robertson – Level Plumbing Canberra Outstanding Plumbing Industry Employee Award – Tom Wallace – Water Tight Canberra Industry Service and Support Person of the Year – Chris Collins – Reece Plumbing Outstanding Commercial Project Award valued over $1 million – Josh Cooper – D Group Outstanding Commercial Project Award valued up to $1 million – Blake Langtry – Canberra Plumbing and Fire Pty Ltd HCAA Hydraulic Consultant of the Year – Luke Hall – Sellick Consultants Icon Water Award – Alex Coleman – Advanced Plumbing & Drains 2025 Plumber of the Year Award – Lachlan Bugg – Syndicate Plumbing Group (Emerging Leader) & Jim Dahl – Custom Plumbing Services (Career of Excellence) (See winners photo attached). ENDS Media Contact: Joe Prevedello | 0402 768 432
