Most people call “a plumber” when something goes wrong, without thinking about whether the job requires general plumbing skills or a specific gas fitting licence. For most residential work, a general plumber covers everything you need. But there are jobs where the law requires a licensed gas fitter, and getting the wrong tradesperson out wastes time and potentially creates a safety risk.
On the Central Coast, gas is common in homes across all suburbs. Natural gas supply runs through many of the established residential areas, and LPG is used in properties outside the mains gas network. Whether you are connecting a new cooktop, replacing a gas hot water system, or investigating a suspicious smell near the meter, knowing the difference between a gas plumber and a regular plumber matters.
Jobs That Require a Licensed Gas Plumber
Installing or Replacing a Gas Hot Water System
If your hot water system runs on gas (either a storage tank or continuous flow unit), the installation and connection must be done by a licensed gas fitter. This includes connecting the gas supply line, installing the flue, testing for leaks, and commissioning the system. A general plumber can handle the water connections, but the gas side is a separate licence. For more on what is involved, see hot water system installation and repair.
Connecting or Relocating Gas Appliances
Hooking up a new gas cooktop, oven, BBQ, or heater requires a gas fitter. So does moving an existing gas point to a different location in the house. Running a new gas line from the meter to a kitchen renovation, for example, is gas fitting work.
Gas Leak Detection and Repair
If you can smell gas (a rotten egg or sulfur smell), this is an emergency. Turn off the gas at the meter if you can safely access it, ventilate the area, do not use any electrical switches, and call a licensed gas plumber. Gas leaks require a gas fitter to locate, repair and test. General plumbers are not licensed to work on gas lines. For emergency gas work, gas supply and repair services cover leak detection, line repairs and appliance reconnection.
Gas Compliance Testing
If you are selling a property, some conveyancers and buyers will request a gas compliance certificate. This confirms that all gas installations on the property meet current safety standards. Only a licensed gas fitter can issue this certificate.
Converting Between Natural Gas and LPG
Some Central Coast properties have been converted from LPG to natural gas as the mains network has expanded, or vice versa. Converting appliances between gas types requires specific jet and regulator changes, and must be done by a licensed gas fitter. Using the wrong gas type in an unconverted appliance is a fire and carbon monoxide risk.
Jobs That Do Not Require a Gas Plumber
A general plumber can handle everything that does not involve a gas line or gas appliance connection. This includes blocked drains, leaking taps, toilet repairs, water pipe repairs, electric hot water systems, and general plumbing maintenance. If your job involves only water and drainage, a general plumber is all you need.
How to Know What You Need
The simplest test: does the job involve anything connected to a gas line? If yes, you need a gas fitter. If no, a general plumber covers it. Many plumbers hold both a general plumbing licence and a gas fitting licence, so you can often get both scopes of work done in a single visit. When booking, mention whether gas work is involved so the right person shows up with the right tools and qualifications.
