A Kardinya, WA, man has been ordered to pay more than $1,500 in fines and costs after admitting he provided a fake testimonial for a plumbing licence application.

The charge against Kenneth Finbar Wilson, brought by the Plumbers Licensing Board, was heard at Armadale Magistrates Court on 7 March 2023.

Mr Wilson pleaded guilty to contravening the WA’s Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000, which prohibit licence applicants from knowingly providing false or misleading information.

Mr Wilson holds a restricted plumbing permit for limited plumbing work only related to hot water systems.

The Court heard that in July 2022, Mr Wilson lodged an application with Building and Energy for a plumbing provisional tradesperson’s licence, which would enable him to carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work.

Mr Wilson’s application included a testimonial claiming to be from a Perth licensed plumber and gasfitter. However, the person named in the testimonial has never met Mr Wilson and did not sign the testimonial.

Magistrate Brian Mahon ordered Mr Wilson to pay a fine of $1,000 and costs of $595.30, noting that plumbing regulation was particularly important for the safety of consumers and the wider community.

Consumers are encouraged to check if a plumber is licensed by using the “licence search” function on the Building and Energy website (dmirs.wa.gov.au). A licensed plumbing tradesperson can carry out work for a licensed plumbing contractor, but only the contractor can certify the work and submit official notices.

All major plumbing work requires certification and the owner must be given a copy of this within five working days of the work being completed.