Businesses linked to Australian Trades Pty Ltd using Dan’s Plumbing ads hit with suspensions and public warnings

The suspensions and warnings apply to Prestigious Plumbing Pty Ltd (241808C), Brofessionals Pty Ltd (375380C) as well as their directors Ghadeer Khalil (230434C) and Isaac Donald Ianuari (368874C).

Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing have been identified as part of an ongoing investigation into entities associated with Australian Trades (300418C) and its director Charbel Alha (190178C), who were known to trade using ‘Dan's Plumbing’, ‘Point Plumbing’, ‘Fergusons Plumbing’ and other names.

The licence suspensions and warnings come as the Building Commission NSW investigation indicates that Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing may have engaged in conduct including:

• Homeowners who receive and respond to targeted web search ads for ‘Dan’s Plumbing’ are serviced by Brofessionals or Prestigious Plumbing representatives.
• Homeowners who then engage with these services are subject to misconduct, including overcharging and false and misleading representations for scope of works required.
• When paying for these works Brofessionals in particular have provided homeowners with invoices featuring Australian Trades’ banking details.

The Building Commission NSW investigation also identified Prestigious Plumbing, Brofessionals and their directors appear to have financial and employment links to Australian Trades and Charbel Alha.

The 60-day licence suspensions applied to Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing prohibit the businesses and their directors from contracting or undertaking work in NSW pending the outcome of ongoing disciplinary proceedings Building Commission NSW has brought against them.

Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing will have an opportunity to respond to allegations during the disciplinary process and prior to any final determination being made.

Homeowners around NSW are also warned not to respond to ‘Dan’s Plumbing’ ads or deal with Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing or risk being subject to unlawful businesses practices associated with Australian Trades, including overcharging and false or misleading representations.

In November 2025, Building Commission NSW cancelled the contractor licences of Australian Trades and its director, Charbel Alha, and permanently disqualified both parties from holding a licence.

That action was based on findings including that Australian Trades had overcharged for emergency plumbing work, used unfair contract terms, applied undue harassment and coercion to consumers, and used false and misleading advertising as well as fraudulent representations of work required.

Australian Trades sought review of the disciplinary decision via the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). NCAT stayed the cancellation and disqualification of their licences, but restricted the business from contracting with the general public until a full hearing of the matter.

Homeowners are again warned not to deal with Australian Trades or associated business names or risk facing unconscionable conduct.

Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing represent the latest plumbing contractors associated with Australian Trades and Charbel Alha to come under Building Commission NSW scrutiny.

In February, Building Commission NSW also permanently disqualified and cancelled the licence of Lachlan Jack Smith (480272C), who was operating a business called Smiths Plumbing AUS using targeted search ads under ‘Smiths Plumbing’.

Mr Smith was employed by Australian Trades until commencing Smiths Plumbing AUS around the time Australian Trades was permanently disqualified from holding a contractor licence late last year.

After the conduct of Mr Smith and Smiths Plumbing AUS was brought to the attention of Building Commission NSW, it commenced an investigation into those entities that found misconduct including: 

• The Smiths Plumbing AUS website stated it was Mr Smith who would contract for and carry out work for consumers, but the true nature of the business was to actually collect and sell consumer data to other contractors for a fee.
• The Smiths Plumbing AUS website included Terms and Conditions and offers that were identical to those used by Australian Trades Pty Ltd, including false representations of $0 call out fees and that if services were not provided on the same day then the service would be free.

Mr Smith is seeking an internal Building Commission NSW review of the disciplinary decision.

Consumers affected by Australian Trades, Dan’s Plumbing, Brofessionals, Prestigious Plumbing or Smiths Plumbing can lodge a complaint via the Building Commission NSW website or call 13 27 00 for advice.

The relevant licence suspensions and public warnings can be found on the NSW Government’s Verify Licence website: 

• Prestigious Plumbing Pty Ltd / Ghadeer Khalil
• Brofessionals Pty Ltd / Isaac Donald Ianuari
• Lachlan Jack Smith
• Australian Trades Pty Ltd / Charbel Alha 

Quotes attributable to NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard: 

“The ongoing investigation Building Commission NSW is pursuing into Australian Trades and its associated entities is one of the most expansive the standalone regulator has ever conducted." 

“As part of this investigation we have identified evidence showing Prestigious Plumbing and Brofessionals may be acting as proxies for Australian Trades and engaged in similar misconduct." 

“The public warnings and suspensions have been applied to Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing to protect homeowners while Building Commission NSW disciplinary proceedings progress." 

“We urge consumers not to respond to Dan’s Plumbing ads or deal with Brofessionals and Prestigious Plumbing or risk facing misleading advertising, overcharging and other misconduct." 

“Homeowners are reminded to ask for a tradesperson's licence details and check them using the NSW Government's Verify Licence website, so they can identify any warnings or disciplinary action.”