Mobile Caravan Gas Certificate: Don’t Trust Just Anyone with Your Safety!
When it comes to your caravan, safety is no joke—especially when dealing with gas installations. That’s why having a fully qualified and licensed gas fitter inspect your caravan is as crucial as packing marshmallows for a campfire! After all, no one wants their caravan to become the campfire! So when it comes to your mobile caravan gas certificate, don’t trust just anyone with your safety!
Did you know that the Queensland Government Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate ensures that Queensland caravan manufacturers and gas fitters adhere to the highest safety standards in Australia? So, if your caravan’s Queensland made, you can relax knowing that the gas installations meet the latest safety codes.
Here’s a fun fact—not every state is on the same page. Some places in 2024 are still using gas codes from 2004! And caravans from those states can cruise into the Sunshine State without a Queensland safety check. Surprising, right? But that’s a story for another time!
All Caravan Gas Man mobile technicians are fully licenced and qualified gas fitters, backed by Adam’s over 30 years of experience in the caravan industry. With this strong foundation of expertise and hands-on knowledge, you can trust them to provide safe, reliable, and professional service—no confusing jargon, just down-to-earth, good service. Call Adam at Caravan Gas Man on 0402 116 427.
But back to my point!
Even with all the strict standards for our manufacturers and gas fitters, the government introduced a “lite” version of the gas fitter’s licence just for caravan servicing and certification. Sure, it might seem convenient—getting your Caravan Gas Certificate done alongside your Roadworthy sounds like a time-saver! But here’s the catch: it could mean an underqualified inspector is handling the job, which is a bit like letting a first-year apprentice service your car while a blind mechanic supervises. Not exactly the safest bet for your family, right?
Let’s do a comparison of the two licences!
To get a Full Gas Work Licence, a gas fitter doesn’t just jump into the deep end. They start as apprentices, learning the ins and outs from a fully licensed pro. After lots of training and skill-building, they earn a Certificate III in Gas Fitting.
Think of a gas fitter with a Full Gas Work Licence as the ultimate gas guru. They can install, remove, repair, service, test, and certify gas systems for anything from your stove to your hot water system. If it runs on gas, they’re the ones you want to make sure everything’s good to go!
On the other hand, the Gas Work Licence (Servicing and Caravan Certification) is like the “junior” version of gas fitting. It requires far less training – from less than 10 days of actual training and 20 hours of practical experience on a real or simulated caravan! When you factor in all the time spent on admin, communication, and safety topics, there’s not much left to dive into the intricacies and nuances of a gas system. Trainees often end up with more of a “to-do” list and an “if this, then that” approach, rather than a deep understanding of how things work. It’s a bit like being a building inspector who’s never actually built anything!
With this licence, the holder can only service gas appliances (i.e. inspect, clean, adjust and tighten fittings). Test for faults (connect test gear and read results), and disconnect and reconnect appliances just for servicing. They can also handle caravan gas safety inspections and certify gas systems for transfer of ownership. But they CAN’T install, remove, or alter any systems.
It’s becoming more and more common that a caravan can be bought and sold many times over the years without ever having been looked at by a fully qualified Gas Fitter. A Gas Fitter who is experienced and knows all the nuances of a caravan gas system, not just whether it leaks. Can you really trust just anyone for your mobile caravan gas certificate service?
Check out the table below for a fun comparison of the two courses. By the way, I found these details on the Queensland Government website on gas work license requirements.
Requirements for Full Gas Licence
Requirements for Gas Work Licence (Servicing and caravan certification)
So, you’re probably wondering, “Why does it matter who inspects my caravan? I’m just selling it, not keeping it!” But apart from safety, we’re also talking about your hard-earned cash here!
If your caravan is relatively new and in good condition, your gas inspection should be pretty straightforward. However, here’s the catch: if the inspector s only licenced for gas service and certification and finds a problem, real or perceived, they can’t fix it. They legally can’t touch your gas system.
Many individuals with a Gas Work Licence – Servicing and Caravan Certification have not had their licence for long, and as colleges only teach the current Australian Standard – AS5601.2:2020 (Effective April 2021). If your van is older than that, they’ll try to apply this standard, not the Australian Standard from when it was built. Australian Standards are not retrospective.
Another fun fact – they only teach the current Australian Standard at college!
So, what do they do? They hand you a defect notice, inform you that you have 14 days to have the defect fixed by a fully qualified gas fitter. Then skip out with your hard-earned cash! And do you know what? After you’ve paid the Real gas fitter to fix your caravan, they want you to call them back to check on the repairs for an additional fee!
Here’s an example I found online
Now, I’m not sure where “14 days” comes from, most likely from the roadworthy part of the service they offer. But to date, there is no time restriction on how long you have to fix your caravan gas system.
However, on the Queensland government website, they state that:
If you have any safety concerns about a gas system you are working on, you must give the owner or operator a defect notice.
If you believe there is an imminent risk of material harm to persons or property, you must also:
- – take appropriate measures to avoid, eliminate or minimise the risk
- – immediately report the risk and measures taken by phoning
- the operator of the distribution system or fuel gas network
- the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate.
Here’s another interesting titbit: If the gas certifier holds a full Gas work licence (i.e. a licensed gas fitter), they’re not required to issue a defect notice if they take immediate action to remedy the safety concern (for example, if they carry out gas work to immediately address that concern).
These are the quick-draw inspectors who are all about speed. They zip in, find one issue, slap a defect sticker on it, and vanish. But here’s the problem: once they start the defect process, they’re supposed to inspect everything and note all issues, not just run off after finding one. And this is where the fun begins.
Recently, a customer called us out after being issued a defect notice because her caravan was missing a test point on the gas system. Yep, fair enough, the test point was missing. However, the inspector missed several other defects, from a missing flue to incorrect appliance clearance and the fridge not being room-sealed. But the most concerning thing was that the fridge burner had been detached from the flue tube. It just was lying on the floor! If anyone has tried to light this fridge, one spark and that caravan could have gone from holiday home to bonfire in no time.
Want to know more about caravan inspections? Daniel from Caravan Gas Man explains what to look at before booking your caravan gas inspection.
Whether selling your caravan or looking for a safety check, ensure the inspection is done right. Don’t trust just anyone with your mobile caravan gas certificate. No one wants to pay extra call-out fees, nor do they want to pass on a ticking time bomb. A proper inspection by a fully qualified gas fitter saves you money, hassle, and a lot of stress.
When it comes to caravan gas safety, you want more than just a basic check—you want an expert who knows the ins and outs of every component. Someone who has seen it and done it all can give you that golden seal of approval so you can relax, knowing your caravan is safe. Why settle for anything less? Whether cooking up a meal or heating your space on a chilly night, your peace of mind is priceless. A certified pro is the key to ensuring your adventures are as carefree as they are unforgettable!
Before anyone touches your pride and joy, do your due diligence and protect yourself.
Check if your gas technician is fully licensed by heading to the government website and entering their name or license number. This simple step can save you a lot of trouble in the future.
https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/emergency/safety/registers-gas-work-licences-authorisations
When choosing a gas technician, ask the following questions:
- Are you fully licensed to do this job?
- Can you fix any issues that come up?
If the answer’s no – call a Real Gas Fitter. Your safety, time, and money are worth more than taking chances.
Major red flags:
– Do they ask for pre-payment? How can they know if there’s anything wrong?
– Fixed 30-minute time slots: How can they know how long it will take without assessing the job.
– Dual Certification: Gas and Roadworthy certification. As they say, Jack of all trades, master of none.
– Not a fully licenced gas fitter!
Be smart and stay safe—always choose a qualified, licenced professional. Don’t compromise on something as critical as your gas system. The right choice now for your Mobile Caravan Gas Certificate technician means peace of mind later.
For all your caravan gas needs in the greater Brisbane region – whether it’s installation, diagnosing issues, issuing gas certificates, or setting up BBQs—our expert mobile technicians are ready to assist. We handle most problems on the spot, ensuring your caravan’s gas system runs smoothly and safely. Call Adam on 0402 116 427 to book your service today!
