Immigrants Guide for New Zealand Plumbing and
Gasfitting Registration using the
Immigrant Qualification Assessment System
(IQAS)
November 2010
Immigrant Qualification Assessment System
Introduction
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (“the Board”) is able to register overseas
qualified persons pursuant to section 30 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act
2006 (“the Act”).
The Act also makes provision for both New Zealand and overseas trained plumbers and
gasfitters to be assessed by means of written examination and a practical test of
workmanship.
The written examination and practical test of workmanship are aligned with the New
Zealand unit standards that make up the National Certificates in Plumbing and Gasfitting.
The examination and practical test of workmanship may encompass any of the subjects
contained in the evidential profiling checklists on pages 12 – 16 in this document.
Working in New Zealand
Before you consider coming to New Zealand, any work permit queries should be directed
to New Zealand Immigration www.immigration.govt.nz.
If you want to work in New Zealand prior to applying for an assessment under IQAS your
supervisor must apply and pay for an exemption for you to work under his supervision.
This exemption is not part of the registration pathway. Following the one hour interview
(see flowchart), the Board will advise you in writing of your registration pathway. This
interview may be conducted by telephone either in NZ after arriving or overseas prior to
departure.
Further information on categories of licences, exemptions and supervision requirements
can be obtained from the Board’s website www.pgdb.co.nz.
Immigration Qualification Assessment System (IQAS)
IQAS has been established to:

promote and achieve consistency in the scope and level of assessment of
agreed national industry competencies;

be a living system which maintains technological and systemic relevance and
reflects the legislative requirements of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and
Drainlayers Act 2006;

identify and refine a combination of tasks (both as theoretical and practical)
which call for the application of a combination of competencies; and as many
tasks as are necessary to cover the required evidence of competency for the
relevant qualification.
2
Key Features of the Immigrant Qualification Assessment System
(IQAS)
IQAS is the framework for achieving reasonable and realistic national consistency in the
registration of plumbers and gasfitters with overseas qualifications. It consists of:

Eligibility Profiling;

Written Examination; and a

Practical Test of Workmanship.
IQAS involves the four steps outlined in the following table:
Step
1
Description
Eligibility Profiling
Paper Based review of
qualifications
2
Eligibility Profiling
Interview
Contents and Process
Documentary evidence of the applicant’s qualifications and
assessment of those qualifications. (14 working days)
Interview to verify documentation and to validate experiential
and technical proficiency (1 hour)
Note:
Steps 3 and 4 can be undertaken once the applicant has received notice from the Board that
they are eligible to attend the assessment centre. Steps 3 and 4 can be undertaken in either
order.
3
Written Examination
3 hour examination for each required qualification (plumbing
and/or gasfitting) using questions drawn from the Theory
Assessment Database. Examinations are held in June and
November each year.
4
Assessment Centre
Wellington
(5 days)
Practical Test of Workmanship for each required qualification
(plumbing and/or gasfitting) using the National Competency
Assessment tasks and criteria.
IQAS combines the practical
compliance.
and
theoretical
components required for regulatory
3
Eligibility Profiling
Eligibility Profiling refers to the processes used to confirm the eligibility of a person who
applies for registration in New Zealand as a plumber and/or gasfitter and is also valuable
in providing information which may dissuade unreasonable or unsubstantiated claims.
Eligibility Profiling involves compiling and verifying certified copies of the following:

Apprenticeship completion documents;

Qualifications certificates;

Licences gained overseas;

Chronological employment history;

References (minimum of 5 years and no less than 2 references) from
employers, supervisors, or if self employed, from clients;

Results of examinations/assessments covering the relevant work;

Passport.
Documents must be certified,
as a true copy of the original,
by a lawyer/solicitor, Justice of
the Peace, Notary Public or
other person authorised to take
a statutory declaration.
Documentation assessment (Step 1)
Once the complete documented evidence has been compiled and sent into the Board with
payment, an initial paper based assessment will be undertaken to ascertain whether the
applicant meets the Board’s minimum requirements for assessment. The assessment of
the documentation will be completed within 14 working days of the Board’s receipt of the
application.
Once the documentation has been validated applicants will be contacted to arrange a
suitable time to undertake an interview either by teleconference or in person at the
Board’s offices in Wellington.
Interview (Step 2)
The interview is expected to take approximately one hour. The applicant will be asked a
wide variety of technical questions surrounding the evidence that they have provided with
the application documentation.
Those who meet the minimum requirements for assessment will be notified in writing and
will be eligible to sit the Board’s written examination(s) and to undertake the practical test
of workmanship at the Board’s Wellington assessment centre.
Any applicant not meeting the minimum requirements for assessment will be notified in
writing and referred to the Plumbing, Gasfitting Drainlaying and Roofing Industry Training
Organisation (PGDRITO) for training under the National Certificate in the relevant
qualification.
Written Examination (Step 3)
Once a candidate has received notification from the Board that their qualifications meet
the minimum requirements for assessment they can apply for and sit the Boards
registration examination. The entry date for the registration examinations is 1 April for the
June examinations and 1 September for the November examinations. Information
regarding the Boards examinations can be obtained from the Boards web site at
www.pgdb.co.nz.
Note: Applicants can sit either the written examination or the practical test of
workmanship in the order they wish. The pass mark for the theory examinations is 60%.
The Board strongly recommends that a candidate attains a pass in the Board’s written
examination before undertaking the practical test of workmanship assessment.
4
Assessment Centre (Step 4)
All assessments are carried out at the Board’s designated assessment centre. Applicants
must fill out the Board’s assessment form and pay the required fee of NZD$3271.11 for
each required qualification (plumbing and/or gasfitting). Applicants are then notified of the
dates and the venue for assessment purposes.
Practical Test of Workmanship: This is the process whereby an assessor identifies,
collects and analyses evidence as to the competency of an applicant. In doing this, the
assessor needs to apply a reasonable judgement to ascertain that:
a. the applicant has demonstrated the agreed national competency through an
appropriate combination of practical assessment evidence; and
b. that the applicant is likely to be able to transfer the competency to the normal
range of working situations.
The Practical Test of Workmanship is qualification specific. The assessment tools are
aligned to Unit Standards in order for the Board to be satisfied of an applicant’s practical
competency.
The minimum requirement is that an applicant must show that they:

can safely and effectively apply the competencies required (refer to form 1 Registration
Evidential Profiling Checklist);

have an appropriate understanding of standards and regulations;

have the ability to access, interpret and apply the knowledge which underpins the
competency units in plumbing or gasfitting.
Each task is supported by a range of scenarios or work plans which provide schematics,
minimum or required distances, angles, materials or other specification which a practical
worker would reasonably expect to be able to assess and carry out at a work site.
If an applicant fails the practical test of workmanship they are required to return to
industry for 12 months work experience and training before being eligible to undertake the
practical assessment for a second time. The fee to sit each practical assessment is
$3271.11.
Registration
Once an applicant receives written notification from the Board that they have attained the
minimum requirements for registration in that they have passed the relevant written
examination and practical test of workmanship they are able to apply for registration. The
Board meets every six weeks. Once the Board resolves that the applicant has met the
requirements for registration, the applicant’s name is entered on the register and they are
then issued with their annual practising licence. The application forms for registration are
available from the Board’s website.
(See flowchart on page 7).
5
Fee schedule
The following is a summary of the fees required for assessment under IQAS for
registration purposes.
Initial Eligibility Profiling Assessment Fee
NZD$408.89
Written examination fee (for each registration category)
NZD$306.67
Assessment Centre Fee (for each registration category)
NZD$3271.11
Registration application, licence and certificate fee
(for each registration category)
NZD$511.11
Disciplinary Levy
NZD$271.91
Note: All fees are non-refundable.
Important information for applicants
The Board may postpone, refuse or revoke registration if any of the application
information is false or misleading. No application will be processed until all required
information is provided and all fees are paid.
Applicants will be given written notification of the Board’s decision, including any reasons
for postponement or refusal of an application.
If the Board discovers that any application information is false, forged or altered, the
application will be cancelled and the appropriate authorities informed.
Registration
Subject to successfully meeting the requirements for registration and being notified by the
Board in writing, applicants are able to apply for registration at the prescribed fee per
category of registration (this includes the current years licence fee).
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Immigrant Qualification Assessment System (IQAS)
for
Plumbing and Gasfitting
Applicant submits the IQAS
application Forms 1 and 2 to
PGDB along with verified
documentation and payment
NZD$408.89
Eligibility Profiling:
Applicant has relevant
qualifications and has
adequate experience
No
(14 days)
PGDB directs applicant to the
Plumbing, Gasfitting
Drainlaying and Roofing
Industry Training
Organisation for training and
assessing under the National
Certificate in the relevant
qualification
Yes
Interview conducted verifying qualifications
and experience (in person or by
teleconference 1 hour).
Registration pathway decision in writing.
Applicant unsuccessful – Recognition of
current competency (RCC)
Applicant is successful – Provisional
licence required
No
National
Certificate
gained
Yes
Written Examination

9192 Plumbing

9193 Gasfitting
Assessment Centre
Applicant receives written notification and
enclosed assessment application form.
Applicant returns application form and
payment of NZD$3271.11

Practical Test of workmanship
assessment in plumbing or gasfitting
Pass
(5 days)
Applicant returns to
industry for 12 months work
experience and training
before reapplying to attend
assessment centre
Fail
Applicant receives written notification and enclosed
registration application form. Applicant returns
application form and prescribed payment. PGDB to
consider registration application at meeting held every 6
weeks
Written Examination

9192 Plumbing

9193 Gasfitting
Pass
Once approved the PGDB issues a practising licence
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1
Immigrant Qualification Assessment System
STATUTORY DECLARATION
For Office Use
Authorisation Number:
First Name(s):
Last Name(s):
Postal Address: .....................................
Street Address: .....................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
Suburb ................................................
Suburb ................................................
City
City
................................................
................................................
Country ................................................
Country ................................................
Post Code
Post Code
.........................................
.........................................
Work Phone ........................................
Home Phone ........................................
Facsimile
Mobile
........................................
................................................
E-Mail Address ......................................
Date of Birth:
......................................
Have you held a New Zealand licence? If so when was it issued? ...........................
Highest Relevant
Qualification(s)
(Certified copies required)
Country
Educational Institution
(Name & Address)
Year
8
Please complete, sign and date this notice in the presence of a Court Registrar,
Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Lawyer or any other person authorised to take
statutory declarations.
I (Full Name)__________________________________________
(abode) of _______________________________________________
(occupation) _____________________________________________
solemnly and sincerely declare that:
1.
I currently hold qualifications as a: ( tick appropriate qualification(s) )
□
□
plumber, and/or
gasfitter
in ___________________(state) of_________________(country of origin)
upon which I base my application for registration. I attach a certified copy of
my passport as proof of identity.
2.
I confirm that the attached documents evidencing my qualification(s),
experience in the State / Country nominated above, are true and accurate
copies.
□
Apprenticeship completion documents;
□
Qualifications certificates;
□
Licences gained overseas;
□
Chronological employment history;
□
3.
References (minimum of 5 years and no less than 2 references) from
employers and supervisors as to competent performance in the relevant
application categories;
□
Results of examinations/assessments covering the relevant work;
□
Passport.
Cancellation or Suspension
My registration or qualification has never been in the past cancelled nor is it
currently suspended in any State/Country as a result of any disciplinary
action.
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4.
Prohibition/Special Conditions and Criminal/Civil or Disciplinary Proceedings
I am not the subject of disciplinary proceedings in any State/Country
(including any preliminary investigations or action that might lead to such
proceedings) in relation to the above trade(s).
Nor have I been personally prohibited from working in the trade for which
registration is sought and I am not subject to any special conditions as a
result of criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any State/Country.
5.
Special Conditions
Special conditions do not apply to my working in the occupation for which
registration is sought.
(If special conditions do apply please tick this box
these conditions).
6.
and attach details of
I understand that if documents submitted to support my application are found
to be forged, false or altered, my registration will be cancelled and the
appropriate authorities notified.
And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be true and
by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957.
____________________________________________
Signature of applicant
Declared at_________________this__________day of______________20__
____________________________
Justice of the Peace/Solicitor
(Or other person authorised to take a statutory declaration)
Official Notary Stamp Here
Justice of the Peace/Solicitor contact details
Any attachments to this Notice must also be certified by a Justice of the Peace,
Solicitor or by a person authorised to do so within your State/Country.
10
Authorisation
I give authorisation to the Board to make inquiries of and/or to exchange
information with the relevant authorities in any State/Country regarding my
activity in the relevant occupation or otherwise regarding my application for
registration.
___________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
Privacy Act 1993
The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 requires the Board to make public the following
information on it's register: full name, postal address, contact phone number, email address, registration
number, registration status, current licence or exemption status. Unless otherwise notified, your mobile
phone number will be the default contact telephone number for the purposes of the register. In the event
you object to any of the above information appearing on the public register, please email the Registrar
on registrar@pgdb.co.nz with specific details outlining the reasons for removal of the information.
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Plumbing Registration Evidential Profiling Checklist
Name:
Please state the approximate number of installations in the following areas of
plumbing work you have carried out full time in the last 5 years.
Description of experiential skill sets
Yes
No
Amount
Trench excavation for plumbing services, shallow and deep
Establish line, level, and gradient for plumbing
Interpret drawings and specifications and draw as-builts for plumbing
Draw patterns and construct sheet metal products for plumbing requirements
Brazing metal for plumbing
Welding metal for plumbing
Backflow prevention devices
Determine the requirements for water supply backflow prevention devices
(Hazard type, Backflow Prevention Device Type)
Determine the position of water supply backflow prevention devices.
Install water supply backflow prevention devices.
Test water supply backflow prevention devices
Maintain water supply backflow prevention devices.
Pumps
Select, install, and maintain hydraulic rams
Select, install, and maintain reciprocating pumps
Select, install, and maintain rotary pumps
Heating and Ventilation
Install and maintain solid fuel space heaters and flues
Install and maintain air heating and ventilation ducting and equipment
Install and maintain hydronic pipework and equipment
Install and maintain wetback pipework
Roofing
Install and maintain roofing flashings
Install and maintain corrugated and trough profile roofing
Install and maintain spouting systems
Install and maintain guttering systems
Install and maintain metal profile cladding and penetration (window, door)
flashing systems
Sanitary Plumbing
Installation of copper pipe work
Installation of galvanised mild steel pipe work
Installation of polybutylene pipe work
Installation of unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) pipe work
Size of pipe is selected according to available pressure (head), delivery rate
requirements, water velocity rate and/or limit, loading rates, and probable
simultaneous flow rate.
Installed potable water pipes
Installed non-potable water pipes
Install, commission, and maintain low pressure push-through hot water supply
systems
Install, commission, and maintain low pressure, open-vented hot water supply
systems
Install, commission, and maintain valve-vented hot water supply systems
Install, commission, and maintain instantaneous hot water supply systems
12
Install, test, commission, and maintain solar water heating systems
Description of experiential skill sets
Yes
No
Amount
Water mains, hydrants, thrust blocks, and valves are installed and connected
to connections and discharge points in accordance with job specifications.
Installation of potable water storage tanks
Select and install, maintain sanitary appliances and fixtures of the following:
Basin
Bidet
Cleaners sink
Dishwashing machine
Laundry tub
Shower
Sink
Urinal
Water closet pan
Temperature and pressure valves
Thermostatic mixing valves
Tapware/mixers
Shower mixers
Ablution trough
Autopsy table
Bain-marie
Bar sink
Bedpan steriliser
Dental unit
Drinking fountain
Glass washing machine
Sanitary napkin disposal unit
Laboratory sink
Select and install, maintain sanitary pipework of the following type
Drainage principles designed systems
Fully vented systems
Fully vented modified systems
Single stack systems
Other Plumbing work (please provide details)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
13
Gasfitting Registration Evidential Profiling Checklist
Name:
Please state the approximate number of installations in the following areas of
gasfitting work you have carried out full time in the last 5 years.
Description of experiential skill sets
NG
Yes
NG
No
LPG
Yes
LPG
No
Trench excavation for gasfitting services, shallow and deep
Establish line, level, and gradient for gasfitting
Interpret drawings and specifications and draw as-builts for
gasfitting
Draw patterns and construct sheet metal products for
gasfitting requirements
Brazing metal for gasfitting
Welding metal for gasfitting
Pipework
Installation of copper pipe work
Installation of galvanised mild steel pipe work
Installation of polyethylene pipe work
Installation of PEX pipe work
Size of pipe is selected according to available pressure ,
input rate requirements, gas velocity limits and simultaneous
flow rate.
Meters
Install, commission, and maintain gas metering equipment,
and interpret and record gas meter data
Select and install, maintain gas appliances and fixtures of the following:
Wall heaters
Barbecue
Bayonet
Blowlamp
Bratt pan
Cabinet heaters
Caravan gas refrigerators
Caravan gas water heaters
Caravan space heaters
Cast iron - ring burner
Char-glo broiler
Closed flue fires
Commerical dim sim cooking bench
Crucible furnace
Decorative gas fires
Deep fryers
Direct fired heating appliances
Ducted central heating appliances
Forced draught burners
Free standing range
Gas condensing boiler
Griddle
Hobs
Indirect fired heating appliances
Industrial laundry dryer
14
Amount
Description of experiential skill sets
Instantaneous water heaters
Outdoor flare
Oven
Overhead radiant heaters
Pasta cooker
Patio heater (brazier)
Refrigerator
Spa & swimming pool heaters
Spray booths
Static gas fueled engines
Water storage heating appliances
Wok stations
LPG Supply Cylinder
Install and maintain LPG cylinder supply stations for gas
installations
NG
Yes
NG
No
LPG
Yes
LPG
No
Identify, install, test, commission, and maintain gas control devices
Regulators
Pressure-raising devices
Under and over pressure cut offs
Valves
Solenoids
Excess-flow valves
Filters
Identify, test, and maintain control and safety devices in gas appliances
Ignition devices - piezo
Ignition devices manual spark
Ignition devices automatic spark
Ignition devices hot surface
Ignition devices flash tube
Pressure control devices – regulators,
Pressure control devices – relief valves
Pressure control devices – over pressure protection device
Pressure control devices – under pressure protection device
Flame failure devices – thermoelectric
Flame failure devices – flame rectification
Flame failure devices – photocell detection
Thermostats – rod and tube
Thermostats – bi-metal switch
Thermostats – liquid expansion
Thermostats – Thermister
Vitiation cutoffs
Tip-over switches
Pressure switches
Solenoids
Overheat protection devices
Flues
Natural draught open flue
Natural draught balanced flue
Induced draught flue
Powered flue
15
Amount
Other gasfitting work (please provide details)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
16
2
FEES FORM
ELIGIBILITY PROFILING
For Office Use
Registration Number:
First Name(s):
Last Name(s):
Payment options
Cheque
Please tick your
payment option
(drawn on a New Zealand bank)
Credit card
(details provide below)
Credit card
(online payment made)
International bank draft
(drawn on a New Zealand bank)
Amount payable: NZD$408.89 (non-refundable)
If paying by cheque or international bank draft (made payable to “Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board”), please attach to this form.
If paying by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only), please complete the appropriate
details below. Return the completed form to the Plumbers Gasfitters & Drainlayers
Board, PO Box 10655, Wellington 6143.
Visa/Mastercard (Please circle)
Credit card number
/
Expiry date
/
Cardholder’s signature
/
Cardholder’s name (as it appears on card) Date of authorisation
Note: Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Eligibility Profile
assessment within 14 working days of the Board’s receipt of their application.
17
DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST
In order for the application to be processed the following must be supplied
□
Filled out and signed statutory declaration form (1);
□
Apprenticeship completion documents;
□
Qualifications certificates;
□
Licences gained overseas;
□
Chronological Employment history;
□
References (minimum of 5 years and no less than 2
references) from employers, supervisors, or if self
employed, from your clients.
□
Results of examinations/assessments covering the
□
Copy of passport.
□
Payment NZD$408.89
relevant work;
18