Master Plumber, Master Painter, Master Builder… What does it Even Mean?

You’re looking around for a plumber to deal with a tricky problem. Maybe You’re after a rope access painter to get to tough to reach areas. Hiring tradespeople is always a bit of a nightmare, right? Before you turn to Facebook groups to do your due diligence, there is, in place a certification to help. You’ll notice some plumbers call themselves master plumbers. The word master conjures up all kinds of images of plumbers…yes, mistress… but I digress. What does it actually mean when a tradesperson calls themselves a master builder, or master painter?

A master plumber or builder or tradesperson of any kind, is recognised as a fully qualified tradesperson, licensed to practice the trade, and possessing the knowledge and experience sufficient to train others.

The Master Plumbers, Master Builders and Master Painters Associations are long standing industry peek bodies designed to uphold the standards of a particular trade in Australia. The Master Painters and Decorators Association was founded in 1913, Master Builders in 1873 and Master Plumbers in 1891, making them some of Australia’s longest running professional watchdogs.

But it wasn’t just so that tradesmen of yore had something to put on their resume. As Australia was colonised, the standards of infrastructure needed to support a growing network of homes and townships. The Masters Associations played a pivotal role in making sure that Australia’s early public and private buildings met English standards.

These days, The Masters associations offer members everything from business development tools to mental health management, legal assistance and political lobbying. They are, the voices and the educators of their respective industries.

These associations now invite members of their respective industries to join at a state level. The associations require members to abide by a Code of Conduct to remain registered in good standing. It also means that the trade organisation has met licensing criteria and has access to professional development and industry training that isn’t available to non-master tradespeople. This means that a long term “Master” has, at the basest level, adhered to industry standards for a prolonged period. This makes it easier for consumers to choose a tradesperson without performing extensive due diligence.

So you need a tradie to do a job? You need a Sydney Plumber, or a Perth Painter, or a Brisbane Master Builder, using these association members guarantees that at the very least, they’re fully qualified and adhering to their industry code of conduct.

Image credit - Master Plumbers