Illegal tradies may face on-the-spot fines for ripping off householders and putting their safety at risk by doing illegal trade work, as trade groups in SA are set to meet with government officials for a set of proposed reforms.
Complains to the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) involving plumbing, as well as gas fitting and electrical work, have jumped 360 per cent in the past three years, and trade groups want to discuss proposals to enforce regulations for both licensed and unlicensed tradespeople. The National Electrical Association of SA, representing electricians, has joined the call for reform and the State Government has agreed to meet the associations to discuss their proposals.
Adelaide Now published the following examples of cowboy operators provided to the plumbing association and forwarded to the CBS including: An unlicensed plumber who continues to work despite being caught four times for breaching regulations. A licensed plumber signing certificate of compliance forms for work undertaken by an apprentice but which he has never inspected.
An Adelaide man who was fined for working as a gas fitter without a licence. A licensed builder who is using his son-in-law to do plumbing work even though he is not qualified. The Plumbing Industry Association has called for instant fines ranging from $500 to $2000 for tradespeople caught carrying out illegal work.
“The minimum fine would be for minor breaches of regulation, while the maximum fine would hit those whose work – typically with gas or electricity – has the potential to put lives at risk,” PIA executive officer Andrew Clarke told Adelaide Now.
“This would help rid the industry of ‘unprofessionals’ who at the moment know how slack the enforcement is and are exploiting it.” Small Business Minister Tom Koutsantonis’s spokesman said the State Government is open to discussion with the associations about “improving standards of conduct”.