Dave Kiddy — licensed plumber and gas fitter, QBCC 53736, Gas Licence L91032
Published
If you have had gas work done, or you are about to, you have probably heard the term "compliance certificate" thrown around without much explanation. Here is what it actually means, in plain terms, from a licensed gas fitter.
What a gas compliance certificate is
A gas compliance certificate is a document a licensed gas fitter issues after completing gas work, confirming the work was carried out and meets the required standard. In Queensland, gas work has to be done by a licensed gas fitter, and that fitter is required to issue a compliance certificate for the work they complete. It is proof, on paper, that the job was done properly by someone qualified to do it — not a receipt, and not optional paperwork tacked on for admin purposes.
We hold Gas Licence L91032 and issue a compliance certificate for every piece of gas work we complete, as required.
When you need one
Broadly, any gas work carried out on your property should come with a compliance certificate from the licensed fitter who did the work. That covers things like:
If a job involves connecting to, modifying, or working on a gas line or gas appliance, it should be done by a licensed gas fitter and it should come with a certificate at the end.
- Installing or replacing a gas hot water system.
- Installing a gas cooktop or oven.
- Installing or repairing a gas heater.
- Running a new gas line or extending an existing one.
- Repairing a gas leak.
- Installing any gas appliance connected to the property's gas supply.
Why it matters beyond the paperwork
A compliance certificate is not just something to file away and forget. It matters in a few practical situations:
Selling your home. Buyers and their conveyancers often ask for compliance certificates on any gas work done to the property, particularly recent work. Not having one can slow down or complicate a sale, or raise questions you would rather not be answering at settlement.
Insurance. If something goes wrong with a gas appliance or line down the track — a leak, a fire, damage — your insurer may ask whether the work was done by a licensed fitter and whether it was certified. Having the compliance certificate on hand makes that a non-issue. Not having it can complicate a claim.
Your own records. If you ever need to have further work done on the same gas line or appliance, a certificate showing what was done and when gives the next fitter a clear picture, rather than starting from scratch.
Peace of mind. Plainly, it tells you the work was done to the required standard by someone qualified to do it, not by an unlicensed handyman working outside their scope.
Why only a licensed gas fitter can issue one
Gas work is not the kind of job where a keen DIYer or a general handyman can legally step in, even for something that looks simple like connecting a new cooktop. In Queensland, gas fitting work must be carried out by someone holding a current gas licence, and issuing a compliance certificate is part of that licensed scope — it is not a form anyone can fill in after the fact. If work was done by someone unlicensed, there is no compliance certificate to issue, because the person doing the work was never in a position to certify it. That is one of the clearest signs something was not done properly, and it is worth checking before you agree to have gas work done by anyone quoting suspiciously low or working outside a licensed trade.
What we check before signing off
Issuing a compliance certificate is not a formality we rush through at the end of a job. Before we sign off, we check the installation itself — connections, fittings, appliance setup — against the standard the work needs to meet, and we test for leaks before we consider the job finished. If anything is not right, we fix it before we certify it, not after. The certificate reflects work we are confident in standing behind, which ties back to our lifetime workmanship guarantee: it works when we leave, or we come back and fix it.
Common questions we get asked
Do I need a new certificate if I am just replacing a like-for-like appliance? Yes. Any gas work performed, including a like-for-like replacement, should be certified by the licensed fitter who did that specific job. The certificate relates to the work performed, not just the property generally.
What if I have lost my old compliance certificates? If you cannot locate certificates for past gas work, it is worth having a licensed gas fitter inspect the work to confirm it is safe and compliant, particularly before selling or if you have any doubts about who originally carried it out.
Does a compliance certificate expire? It relates to the specific work certified at the time it was done. It does not need periodic renewal on its own, but ongoing appliance servicing and safety checks are still worth keeping up over the life of the appliance.
What to do with your certificate
Keep it somewhere safe with your other property documents — the same place you would keep a building certificate, an electrical safety certificate, or your home insurance paperwork. If you are selling, have it ready to hand to your agent or conveyancer. If you are not sure whether you were given one for past gas work, it is worth checking with whoever did the job, or having a licensed gas fitter assess the work now.
What to check before you get gas work done
- Confirm the person doing the work holds a current gas licence — you can ask to see it.
- Ask directly whether a compliance certificate will be issued on completion.
- Get the certificate in hand or emailed to you at the end of the job, not "sometime later."
- Keep it filed with your other property and appliance paperwork.
- If you are buying a home, ask the seller for compliance certificates on any gas work they have had done.
Gas work we cover
We handle the full range of gas fitting work across the Redlands and Brisbane bayside, from gas hot water installation to gas appliance installation, gas leak repair, and gas line installation. Every job comes with the compliance certificate you are entitled to, no chasing required.
When to call a plumber
You need a licensed gas fitter, not a general handyman, if:
If you smell gas, do not wait for a scheduled appointment. Turn off the supply if it is safe to do so and call us immediately — we offer 24/7 emergency service.
- You smell gas anywhere on your property — this is urgent, treat it as an emergency.
- You are installing a new gas appliance, cooktop, or heater.
- You are extending or modifying an existing gas line.
- Your gas hot water system needs replacing.
- You have had gas work done in the past and do not have a compliance certificate for it.
Get it done properly, with the paperwork to prove it
Whether you need new gas work done or want to check whether past work was properly certified, call Dave direct on 0409 364 858. We service Wellington Point and right across the Redlands and Brisbane bayside, including Thornlands and Birkdale. Licensed and insured, with every job backed by a compliance certificate and our lifetime workmanship guarantee.