‘Women make great plumbers, too’: Why 21-year-old Lara became a tradie

At 21 years old, Lara Smyth already has her career trajectory all laid out. The third-year apprentice plumber loves the challenge of solving problems.

“Plumbing is a huge puzzle where I’m able to manoeuvre and find how everything fits,” Smyth says. And as far as career growth, she sees many opportunities to advance.

Lara Smyth wants to focus on maintenance plumbing, especially in women’s housing.

“After completing my plumbing Certificate III, I can become a master plumber, which leads to higher pay and leadership opportunities. I want to prove to others that women make great plumbers, too,” she says.

Smyth is part of a recent influx of women taking up roles in the traditionally male-dominated plumbing field, with more young workers looking for solid, well-paying careers that don’t require an expensive university degree.

With a focus on maintenance plumbing, especially in women’s housing, her goal is to eventually follow in her mother Kimberley’s footsteps, who runs Hey Sista Plumbing.

“I want to help grow my mum’s business; to expand with more employees. And a factory and a daycare either attached, so other working mums could begin a plumbing apprenticeship and have a chance to thrive in the industry,” she says.

‘Female participation is still not high enough and more needs to be done by employers.’

Master Builders chief executive Denita Wawn

Smyth adds that plumbing is an essential service that involves hands-on labour and believes it’s something that will always be required. No matter the gender or race, she encourages everyone to consider a trade-oriented role.

“I’m proof of the ripple effect that happens when a woman is not only given the opportunity to thrive in the construction sector but is also shown support by the industry.”

Apprentice applications surge

John Collignon, marketing director of Rheem Australia, said the company was thrilled with the increase in the number of female plumbers applying – reflecting a change in this sector and in many others.

Applications for Rheem apprentice plumber grants from women surged by 200 per cent compared to the previous year. In 2024, women made up 30 per cent of grant beneficiaries. “This marked a 50 per cent increase in female grant recipients from 2023,” he adds.

Breaking down gender barriers within a traditionally male-dominated sector, facing their own personal challenges of physical and mental strength, and paving the way for future female plumbers were common reasons women cited for considering a career in plumbing.

Recipients of the grant will receive $2000 to assist with their tuition fees and textbooks, plus $1000 to help build their essential trade toolbox.

According to a Master Builders Australia report, in 2023, women made up 15 per cent of the building and construction workforce, but only three per cent of them were on the tools.

Denita Wawn says more needs to be done to help women succeed.Credit: Michael Quelch

Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said the organisation found that many women tend to enter the industry later in life, particularly after bringing up children. More support is needed to make the industry more attractive for them.

“Female participation is still not high enough, and more needs to be done by employers, industry groups, educational institutions, and all levels of government.”

Rise of the ‘lady tradies’

Working in mining and construction for much of her career, Wendy Pinch saw very few women in trade roles. Pinch, whose father was a builder, understood the industry and how it operated.

“I’m from a family of builders; as a kid, I spent more time in Dad’s shed than Mum’s kitchen,” she says. While renovating her home some years back, Pinch became increasingly frustrated with builders who would constantly let her down.

“I was getting fed-up with tradies not turning up and being talked down to. I thought a female electrician wouldn’t talk to me like that. I asked the tradies if they had female tradies, they said they knew a few through TAFE, one even topped the class!”

The comment hit a nerve, and Pinch decided to reach out to female tradies and create a business where people could access them. In 2011, she founded The Lady Tradies Australia.

The business has grown nationally and offers female tradies, apprenticeships, full-time and part-time roles for women.

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