Plumber shortages: The Aussie states up sh** creek

A hand reaching for an empty toilet paper holder (concept toilet paper finished) Picture: istock

New research has revealed which states are seriously lacking in plumbers crack, and it has some states up sh** creek.

Conducted by Canberra-based plumbing company J&J Plumbing Services, state-by-state job vacancies for plumbers were analysed across Australia in May 2023, April 2024, and May 2024.

The study reviewed the number of plumbing ads posted during this period and compared it with 2024 population estimates to reveal which states have the highest demand for plumbing professionals.

The Northern Territory came out on top, with an average of 7.63 plumbing ads per 100,000 residents.

“This is approximately 47 per cent higher than the national average of 5.19,” the report found. “NT reported an average of 20 plumber job listings, with no change between May 2023 and May 2024.”

istock

Coming in second was Western Australia with an average of 7.18 plumber job ads per 100,000 residents, approximately 38 per cent higher than the national average.

“Western Australia averaged 216 plumber job ads, with the highest number of ads in May 2023 at 228, while the lowest was in May 2024 at 214,” the report noted.

Plumbers, the only profession where you can take a leak and fix it at the same, were also in hot demand in Victoria, with an average of 6.17 plumber job ads per 100,000 people, or 19 per cent above the national average.

“Victoria averaged 432.33 plumber job ads, with the highest number of ads in May 2023 at 474, while the lowest was in May 2024 at 420,” the report said.

MORE: ‘Demanding’ Aussie lodges 312 complaints

Aussie Lotto winner to spend $1.4m on her cat

‘Gloriously neglected’ worst house has roof (mostly intact)

istock

A J&J Plumbing Services spokesperson said that regions like the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria were seeing a steep rise in plumber job listings per capita.

“Such demand can be attributed to a growing population, ageing infrastructure, and a widening skills shortage in the trades sector,” the spokesperson said.

“Without timely workforce development, Australians could face longer wait times, higher service costs, and more pressure on emergency plumbing services.”

South Australia ranked fourth, with an average of 4.83 job ads per 100,000 residents, or 6.93 per cent below the national average.

South Australia averaged 91.33 plumber job ads, with the highest number of job ads recorded in May 2024 at 95, and the lowest in May 2023 at 87.

Perhaps, teh City of Churches has had some latrine intervention.

Queensland came in fifth, with 4.76 job ads per 100,000 residents, which is 8.28 per cent below the national average.

Queensland averaged 267.67 plumber job ads, with the lowest listing in May 2023 at 253, while the highest was in April 2024 at 268, the report noted.

The Australian Capital Territory came in sixth spot, recording an average of 4.64 plumber job ads per 100,000 residents, followed by New South Wales (7th) at 3.59, and Tasmania (8th) at 2.72.

The post Plumber shortages: The Aussie states up sh** creek appeared first on realestate.com.au.