Elje / Compliance

WELS water rating

The star label on taps, showers and toilets. WELS decides whether a business may supply a product in Australia. WaterMark decides whether a plumber may install it. A tap usually needs both, and a WELS registration needs WaterMark first.

What the rule is and who it applies to

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 makes it an offence to supply a regulated product that is not registered and labelled to AS/NZS 6400. The WELS Regulator in the federal environment department runs it, with a matching Act in every state.

The duty sits with anyone who supplies or offers to supply: a retailer, an importer selling on, a builder or developer who includes products in a sale, quote or tender, and a plumber who supplies what they install. Each offence is strict liability, 60 penalty units.

Products imported for personal use are outside the scheme. If you import a tap for your own house, WELS registration is not your legal duty. Your state's minimum star ratings still are.

Regulated productNotes
Taps over a basin, sink or laundry troughBath-only, thermostatic, bidet, filtered, chilled and boiling taps are excluded
Fixed showers
Toilets, cisterns, pans and flushing devices
Urinals
Household dishwashers and washing machines
Flow controllers sold separately
Basins, baths and sinksNot WELS products

What the stars mean

New Queensland houses and units need showers and taps of at least 3 star and toilets of at least 4 star dual flush. That does not apply to renovations. In New South Wales, BASIX sets the ratings for each project, and the fittings installed must match the certificate.

RatingTaps and showersToilets, average flush
3 star7.5 to 9 L/min3.5 to 4.0 L, a 6/3 L dual flush
4 star6 to 7.5 L/min3.0 to 3.5 L, a 4.5/3 L dual flush
5 star4.5 to 6 L/min
6 star, taps only1.1 to 4.5 L/min

How to check it yourself

  • Search the WELS public register by brand, model name, model code or registration number.
  • Check the status is current. Registrations renew every year, and a product not renewed shows Ceasing from 22 January and Expired from 21 July.
  • The label shows the star rating, the flow or flush volume, the licence number and the registrant.
  • An online listing in Australia must show WELS, the star rating, the flow in L/min and the registration number.

What evidence Elje holds per item

  • The WELS registration number, the register result with its date, and the star rating and flow.
  • The WaterMark licence it rests on.
  • A check against the project's BASIX certificate or state minimum, so the rating matches what the certifier will sign off.

The common traps with China-made product

  • The factory's own model is not registered. The same tap is registered under an Australian brand and model code, and that registration does not cover a rebadged or unbranded copy.
  • The flow restrictor is taken out to make the shower feel stronger. That voids the rating and the WaterMark compliance.
  • The registration lapsed because the annual renewal was missed.
  • A registered product with a rating below the BASIX or Queensland minimum for the job.

Questions

Does WELS apply to me if I import for my own house?

The scheme excludes products imported for personal use. WaterMark still applies at installation, and your state's star minimums still apply to new homes.

Does a basin need a WELS label?

No. Basins, baths and sinks are not WELS products. The tap on them is.

Sources