Podcast
Safe and Skilled
Safe and Skilled is a short form AI podcast for licensed practitioners.
Listen here or find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or your favourite podcast app.
Granny flats: what do check before you start
From 8 October 2026, changes to the granny flats building consent exemption provided more flexibility for water supply, wastewater and stormwater servicing. In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Cam explains what plumbers and drainlayers need to know, including other approvals that may be required and why work under the exemption is not eligible for self-certification.
2026
The Board disciplinary hearing process
In this episode, Steve explains what practitioners can expect if a complaint progresses to a disciplinary hearing, from formal charges through to the hearing itself. He also discusses how a practitioner's actions can affect the time, cost and outcome of the process.
Self-certification: What work can you self-certify?
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains what plumbing and drainlaying work can be self-certified, including eligible buildings and work, exclusions from the scheme, building consent requirements, the role of building consent authorities (BCAs) and what happens if the work or design changes during a job.
Self-certification: inspections and Codes of Compliance
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains what happens once you're endorsed and ready to self-certify work. He covers using the Self-Certification Register and Artisan, inspecting work and recording evidence, managing changes during a job, issuing a Certificate of Compliance and the BCA's ongoing role.
Self-certification: getting endorsed
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains how to get endorsed for self-certification, including eligibility, identity verification, online training, insurance, business systems and fees.
The Board complaints process: what to expect
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains how the Board's complaints process works and what practitioners can expect if a complaint is made about their work. He covers the steps from initial assessment through to investigation and possible disciplinary action, and explains why a complaint is not the same as a finding.
Sanitary plumbing and drainage systems: understanding how the system behaves
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains why understanding how sanitary plumbing and drainage systems behave is just as important as knowing the requirements of AS/NZS 3500.2.
The importance of documentation
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve talks about why documentation matters in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. He explains what good documentation processes look like, the key moments when records matter most, how poor or generic paperwork can create problems, and how good records can protect practitioners if work is reviewed later.
The role of the Board
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve explains the role of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board: what it does, what it is responsible for, and where those responsibilities end.
Gas appliance clearances
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve looks at one of the Board's most common technical enquiry topics: gas appliance clearances. From cooktops and rangehoods to outdoor barbecues, fireplaces and flue terminals, this episode covers common clearance mistakes, why they matter, and practical ways to avoid costly rework and compliance issues.
Prepare for lead-free plumbing
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve gives a final reminder about the upcoming lead-free plumbing changes for potable water work and what you need to have in place before they take effect.
On-site wastewater systems: what actually drives performance
In this episode of Safe and Skilled, Steve talks about on-site wastewater systems and what actually drives performance over time.