PICAC Brunswick

What PICAC Brunswick does

PICAC (Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre) is a private, industry-led Registered Training Organisation (RTO #22556) headquartered in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 2009 during the millennium drought to address sustainable plumbing skills shortages, PICAC now operates five purpose-built campuses across Victoria (Brunswick, Narre Warren, Geelong), New South Wales (Glenwood), and Queensland (Beenleigh). The organisation delivers vocational education and training across the full plumbing career lifecycle — from Certificate II pre-apprenticeship through apprenticeship, licence-level qualifications (gas, water, mechanical services, roofing), and specialised safety training in asbestos removal and high-risk work — to plumbers, fire protection/sprinkler fitting workers, and construction tradespeople.

The business model is built on a hub-and-spoke partnership architecture: PICAC owns and operates the physical training facilities, while course delivery is executed by partner Registered Training Organisations including Master Plumbers (RTO 3937), CEPUTEC (RTO 4612), Fire Industry Training (RTO 22101), and The Service Trades College (RTO 31239). Revenue is generated through a three-tier pricing structure differentiated by union/association membership (Category A: PPTEU members; Category B: Master Plumbers, AMCA, NFIA members; Category C: non-members), supplemented by Skills First government funding for eligible learners. Notable infrastructure includes the Brunswick campus's 5 Star Green Star rated sustainable building and the Fire Protection Centre of Excellence, which houses R&D facilities with proprietary technology for removing sludge from fire testing stormwater systems. The organisation is governed by a partnership of five major industry bodies (PPTEU, MPMSAA, MPAQ, NFIA, AMCA) and led by CEO Shayne La Combre (Chair of the World Plumbing Council since 2016) and Chair Earl Setches (PPTEU State and Federal Secretary).

Name

PICAC Brunswick

Legal name

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

Website

https://picac.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PICAC Brunswick is an industry-led Registered Training Organisation (RTO #22556) operating five campuses across Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, delivering vocational training in plumbing, fire protection, and construction safety to apprentices, licensed plumbers, and tradespeople through partner RTOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Plumbing (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC), Fire Sprinkler & Fire Protection Piping (EDAOACAK), Gas Piping & Fuel Systems (EDAOACAG)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Plumbing apprenticeship training
• Fire protection training
• Asbestos removal training
• Registered training organisation

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunswick

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vocational Education and Training: Revenue generated from providing nationally recognised training courses for the plumbing and fire protection industries. Courses range from pre-apprenticeship (Certificate II) through to post-trade qualifications. Training delivered by partner RTOs including Master Plumbers, CEPUTEC, Fire Industry Training, and The Service Trades College.
2. Licence-Level Training: Specialist training for plumbers seeking Victorian Building Authority licences in gas, water, mechanical services, and roofing streams. Revenue from licence-accredited courses required for industry licensing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PICAC (Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre) is an industry-led Registered Training Organisation (RTO #22556) that delivers nationally recognised vocational education and training for the plumbing, fire protection, and construction industries. The portfolio spans pre-apprenticeship Certificate II, apprenticeship, post-trade licence-level qualifications (Gas, Water, Mechanical Services, Roofing), asbestos removal, OHS/WHS, and sprinkler fitting courses delivered across five Australian campuses.

Product overview

PICAC Brunswick is a multi-campus industry-led training organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of vocational education programs for the plumbing, fire protection, and construction industries. The portfolio spans from entry-level pre-apprenticeship Certificate II in Plumbing through to apprenticeship training, post-trade licence level qualifications (Gas, Water, Mechanical Services, Roofing), and specialized safety training (Asbestos Removal, OHS/WHS, High Risk Licences). Key products include the Backflow Prevention Training (CPCPWT4022) and Thermostatic Mixing Valve Training (CPCPWT4023) for licensed plumbers, Asbestos Removal Training (Class A/B) approved by WorkSafe Victoria, and Fire Protection Centre of Excellence for sprinkler fitting apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship training. Training is delivered through partner RTOs including Master Plumbers (RTO 3937), CEPUTEC (RTO 4612), Fire Industry Training (RTO 22102), and Service Trades College (RTO 31239) across PICAC's five national campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PICAC Brunswick: One of PICAC's five campuses located in Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria. Features include the Fire Protection Centre of Excellence and a 5 Star Green Star rated building.
• PICAC Geelong
• PICAC Narre Warren
• PICAC Glenwood
• PICAC Beenleigh
• Fire Protection Centre of Excellence

Products and services

• Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
• Plumbing Apprenticeship Training
• Sprinkler Fitting Apprenticeship Training
• Backflow Prevention Training (CPCPWT4022)
• Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) Training (CPCPWT4023)
• Asbestos Removal Training

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner supporting PICAC since 2009. PPTEU members receive Category A pricing on training courses. PICAC Chair Earl Setches is State and Federal Secretary of PPTEU.
• Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey industry partner delivering plumbing apprenticeship and licence-level training at PICAC through Master Plumbers RTO 3937 at Brunswick, Narre Warren, and Geelong campuses.
• Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland industry partner providing post-apprenticeship specialist training at Plumbing Industry House in Acacia Ridge and regional areas through MPAQ RTO 30473.
• National Fire Industry Association of Australia (NFIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in PICAC Glenwood NSW opening (October 2020) and co-host of Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards. NFIA members receive Category B pricing.
• Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner organisation supporting PICAC. AMCA members receive Category B pricing on training courses.
• The Service Trades College (STC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRTO 31239 delivering plumbing apprenticeship training at PICAC Glenwood NSW campus and PICAC Beenleigh Queensland campus.
• CEPUTECcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRTO 4612 providing construction safety and equipment, first aid and OHS/WHS training at PICAC campuses in Victoria and Queensland.
• Fire Industry Training (FIT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRTO 22101 providing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship training in fire protection (sprinkler fitting) at PICAC Campuses in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chisholm Institute: Major Victorian TAFE delivering plumbing apprenticeship and post-trade courses; competes directly with PICAC Brunswick, Narre Warren and Geelong for apprentices with a larger multi-trade footprint.
• TAFE Queensland: Public VET provider offering plumbing apprenticeship, post-trade and gas licence courses across Queensland; competes with PICAC Beenleigh for apprentices and licence-endorsement students with a broader course catalogue.
• Holmesglen Institute: Large Victorian TAFE offering plumbing, gas and mechanical services training across multiple campuses; a key competitor for PICAC's Victorian licence-endorsement and apprenticeship enrolments.
• TAFE NSW: Public VET provider delivering plumbing and construction safety courses across NSW including western Sydney; competes with PICAC Glenwood for plumbing apprentices with a broader multi-trade portfolio.
• Box Hill Institute: Victorian TAFE delivering plumbing, gas fitting and construction safety courses; competes with PICAC in the eastern Melbourne and Victorian apprenticeship market.

Direct peers

• AMCA Training: Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors' Association training arm (RTO 5139); delivers HVAC and mechanical services training that overlaps directly with PICAC's mechanical services licence courses.
• Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ): Industry association RTO delivering plumbing apprenticeship and post-trade training in Queensland; directly competes with PICAC Beenleigh for plumbing apprentices in the same state and is also a delivery partner at PICAC campuses.
• The Service Trades College (STC): RTO 31239 delivering plumbing apprenticeship training at PICAC's Glenwood and Beenleigh campuses; closely comparable peer in plumbing apprentice delivery that operates both inside and outside PICAC's network.
• Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA): Industry association RTO delivering plumbing and mechanical services training at PICAC's Victorian campuses (RTO 3937); operates as both a delivery partner inside PICAC and an industry body with comparable training and member-services scope.
• Fire Industry Training (FIT): RTO 22101 delivering pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship fire protection training at PICAC campuses; the most direct peer in sprinkler fitting training nationally.

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/picac-brunswick

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 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 PICAC Brunswick