Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

What Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre does

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) is an Australian, industry-led vocational training organisation founded in 2009 and headquartered in Brunswick, Victoria. It operates five purpose-built campuses across Victoria (Brunswick, Geelong, Narre Warren), New South Wales (Glenwood) and Queensland (Beenleigh), delivering accredited plumbing, fire protection, occupational health and safety, and high-risk-work training from pre-apprenticeship through to post-trade licence qualifications. PICAC is jointly governed by a coalition of unions and employer associations — the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU), Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA), Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ), National Fire Industry Association (NFIA), and Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) — making it the de facto industry-owned training infrastructure for Australian plumbing and fire protection.

Its underlying "technology" is primarily physical infrastructure rather than software: the Brunswick flagship is a 5 Star Green Star-rated building showcasing sustainable plumbing design, and the campus houses a Fire Protection Centre of Excellence with R&D capabilities (including a project to remove sludge from black steel pipe used in fire testing). PICAC is not itself a Registered Training Organisation but rather a shared facility and platform through which partner RTOs deliver courses — Master Plumbers (RTO 3937), CEPUTEC (RTO 4612), Fire Industry Training (RTO 22102), Service Trades College Australia (RTO 31239) and MPAQ (RTO 30473). It also operates the Apprentice Skills Contest feeding into the United Association International contest, the annual Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards, and World Plumbing Day events.

Revenue is generated through a three-tier course-fee structure (Category A PPTEU members at free/minimal cost, Category B association members, Category C non-members), supplemented by Victorian and Commonwealth government subsidies via the Skills First program and capital grants (notably a $4M Andrews Government commitment for the Narre Warren campus in 2018). PICAC's customer base comprises plumbing and fire protection apprentices, licensed plumbers seeking VBA-accredited licence streams (gas, water, mechanical services, roofing, medical gas), and the employers who sponsor them. Pricing is publicly disclosed at course level. Leadership comprises CEO Shayne La Combre (also elected Chair of the World Plumbing Council in 2016) and Chair Earl Setches (PPTEU State and Federal Secretary).

Name

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

Legal name

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

Website

https://picac.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) is an Australian industry-led vocational training organisation operating five campuses across VIC, NSW and QLD, delivering accredited plumbing, fire protection, OHS and high-risk-work training from pre-apprenticeship to post-trade licence qualifications on behalf of partner RTOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing Trade Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire Sprinkler & Fire Protection Piping (EDAOACAK), Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH), Safety, Security & Emergency Services (OSHA, Fire, EMS, Security CE) (EDAAALAK), HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC)

Keywords

• Vocational trade training
• Plumbing apprenticeship programs
• Fire protection training
• Green plumbing education
• Occupational health courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunswick, VIC

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: PICAC charges training fees across three categories: Category A (PPTEU members - free or minimal), Category B (Association members - various rates), Category C (Non-members - highest rates). Fees vary by course type and duration.
2. Government Funding: The Andrews Government announced $4 million in funding to assist in building the PICAC campus in Narre Warren. Training programs receive government subsidies through Skills First program for eligible learners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PICAC operates as an industry-led vocational training centre delivering courses for the plumbing, fire protection, and occupational health and safety sectors across the full career lifecycle, from pre-apprenticeship Certificate II through to post-trade licence-level qualifications, high-risk work licences, and advanced diplomas. Training is hosted at five PICAC campuses across VIC, NSW, and QLD and delivered through partner Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). The Brunswick campus features a 5 Star Green Star-rated sustainable building and houses the Fire Protection Centre of Excellence, showcasing innovative sustainable plumbing and fire protection technology as a working example for trainees.

Product overview

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) is an industry-led training organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational education programmes across the plumbing, fire protection, and occupational health and safety sectors. The organization operates through multiple Registered Training Organizations (RTOs): Master Plumbers (RTO 3937), CEPUTEC (RTO 4612), Fire Industry Training (RTO 22102), Service Trades College (RTO 31239), and MPAQ (RTO 30473). Training spans from pre-apprenticeship Certificate II courses through to post-trade licence level qualifications, high-risk work licences, and advanced diplomas. The main products include Plumbing Apprenticeship Training, Fire Protection Training, OHS/WHS Qualifications (Certificate IV and Diploma), and specialized licence-level courses (gas, water, mechanical services, roofing, medical gas). PICAC also hosts annual events including the Apprentice Skills Contest and Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plumbing Apprenticeship and Post-Apprenticeship Training

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009PPTEU is a founding partner of PICAC. The union supports the industry-led training centre and provides workforce representation. PICAC Chair Earl Setches is also PPTEU State and Federal Secretary.
• Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPMSAA is a founding partner supporting PICAC. Master Plumbers (RTO 3937) delivers apprenticeship and licence-accredited training at PICAC's Victorian campuses.
• Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPAQ (RTO 30473) provides post-apprenticeship specialist training for plumbers at Plumbing Industry House in Acacia Ridge and regional areas. Partner in PICAC national expansion.
• National Fire Industry Association of Australia (NFIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFIA is a founding partner of PICAC. NFIA sponsors World Plumbing Day Trade Expo and collaborates on PICAC Glenwood campus development with Plumbing Trades Employees Union of NSW.
• Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMCA is a founding partner supporting PICAC's industry-led training model for the mechanical services and air conditioning sector.
• CEPUTEC (RTO 4612)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCEPUTEC delivers training in first aid, OHS/WHS, high risk licences, and plant and equipment at PICAC Campuses in Victoria and Queensland. Logo displayed as In Association With partner.
• Fire Industry Training (RTO 22102)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFire Industry Training provides pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship training in fire protection (sprinkler fitting) at PICAC Campuses in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
• Service Trades College Australia (RTO 31239)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTC provides apprenticeship and specialist training for plumbers at PICAC's Beenleigh (QLD) and Glenwood (NSW) campuses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TAFE NSW: TAFE NSW offers vocational and trade education, including plumbing and related safety programs, across New South Wales. It is a broad incumbent serving the same apprentices, licensed trades, and employer customers in PICAC's NSW market.
• Melbourne Polytechnic: Melbourne Polytechnic provides technical and further education across Victoria, including trade and building-services programs. It competes for the same apprentice and post-trade learner pool while offering a broader institutional portfolio.
• Chisholm Institute: Chisholm Institute is a Victorian TAFE offering technical, construction, plumbing, and safety-related vocational programs. Its scale and public-provider model make it a broad incumbent comparable to PICAC's Victorian delivery network.
• Holmesglen Institute: Holmesglen Institute is a Victorian TAFE and higher-education provider with technical, plumbing, and building-services programs. It is a broad incumbent alternative for trade learners and employers in PICAC's home market.
• TAFE Queensland: TAFE Queensland is a broad public technical and further-education provider offering plumbing, construction, and safety qualifications to the same trade workforce. It competes for learners and employer-sponsored training across PICAC's Queensland market.

Direct peers

• Fire Industry Training: Fire Industry Training (RTO 22102) provides pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and post-apprenticeship fire-protection and sprinkler-fitting programs, directly overlapping PICAC's core fire-protection offering. It operates at PICAC campuses in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland as a delivery partner, making it a close operating and offering peer.
• Master Plumbers: Master Plumbers (RTO 3937) delivers apprenticeship and VBA-accredited licence training at PICAC's Victorian campuses. It is a direct peer for plumbing workforce training and also has a partnership relationship with PICAC.
• Service Trades College Australia: Service Trades College Australia (RTO 31239) delivers plumbing apprenticeships and specialist training for plumbers, including at PICAC's Beenleigh and Glenwood campuses. Its occupational plumbing focus is comparable to PICAC's trade-school model.
• CEPUTEC: CEPUTEC (RTO 4612) provides first aid, WHS/OHS, high-risk licence, plant, and equipment training at PICAC campuses in Victoria, Queensland, and NSW. Its safety and high-risk-work portfolio overlaps PICAC's OHS and compliance courses.
• Master Plumbers Association of Queensland: The Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ; RTO 30473) provides post-apprenticeship specialist training for plumbers and supported PICAC's expansion into Queensland. Its regional plumbing focus is comparable to PICAC's Queensland operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PICACaus
• Facebookfacebook.com/PICACaus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plumbing-industry-climate-action-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre