My Journey as a Plumber in Australia
When I first arrived in Australia, everything was unfamiliar — the language, the culture, even the way people worked. I tried so many different jobs just to survive. I spent days in noisy workshops, and nights in restaurant kitchens, doing whatever I could to keep moving forward. Deep down I carried one simple hope: to find a job that truly belonged to me. A job that could give me a future.
I didn’t know plumbing would become that path.
On the very first day I held a pipe and a wrench, my hands were stiff and awkward. I felt clumsy, unsure, and questioned whether I was making a mistake. But something inside me told me to keep going. I went to school, started learning every rule, every fitting, every connection. I waited for someone to give me a chance as an apprentice. Every day felt like a test — not just of skills — but of patience, courage, and belief.
Eventually, I earned my license. It was a small card, but for me, it meant the world. It meant I could finally begin a real journey — not only as a plumber, but as someone building a new life in a new country. I took a deep breath and decided to start my own business: Housecare Plumbing. A name that carried the hope of trust and care.
There were mornings when I left home before the sun rose, and nights when I returned long after everyone else had gone to bed. There were clients who welcomed me warmly, and others who doubted me the moment they saw I wasn’t from here. There were days that pushed me to my limits — heavy tools, tight crawl spaces, freezing weather — and yet, when someone called for help, I always said:
“Mate, I’ll get it fixed.”
Because water keeps running. Problems don’t wait. And responsibility doesn’t sleep.
It took me a long time to notice it, but somewhere along this journey, I fell in love with plumbing. I love the moment the water flows perfectly after a fix. I love the satisfied nod from a client when the job is done right. I love knowing that every skill I learn doesn’t just repair a pipe… it builds a safer home for someone, and a stronger life for myself.
This trade gave me more than wages. It gave me pride. It gave me a reason to wake up every morning and feel sure of my path — something I never had when I first arrived here.
I used to work simply to survive. Now, I work because I truly care about what I do.
If you’re still searching for your direction like I once did, don’t worry. Just start. Keep going. Try, fail, and try again. One day, you might look back and realize that the thing you once feared has become the thing you love the most — without even noticing when it happened.
— Van Ngo
Founder of Housecare Plumbing Services Pty Ltd
Melbourne, Australia
