This page is for water, wastewater, and network operators, maintenance technicians, and operations personnel. It’s your gateway to professional development and networking in the water industry. We offer various programs designed to enhance your skills and career growth.
Operator Placement Program
The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) in partnership with the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), are collaborating with a new initiative being the first Australian Water Industry Operator Placement Program.
The aim of the Operator Placement Program is to provide selected operators with an opportunity for development outside of their direct employment. This is to be achieved by spending time at another organisation’s water treatment plant, or wastewater treatment plant, or field services depot.
The participating operator can share experiences with processes, monitoring, technologies, equipment used and then take those learnings back to their organization for consideration and discussion.
How would the placement work?
The placement does not have to be reciprocal and can be an operator from one organisation visiting another organisation’s facility for an agreed period of time, eg. one week. Participating organisations will need to support the program and their employee’s expenses i.e. accommodation, travel and any out of pocket expenses.
WIOA will provide a coordination role, and the opportunity to share employee learnings and development with the broader water industry and other participating organisations. WIOA will arrange an introduction between the participant and the participating organisation prior to the placement taking place.
WSAA will promote the program and assist with facilitating collaboration and identification of leading practice.
How to nominate?
The first step in the process is for your organisation to complete an Expression of Interest of your intent to participate in the Program.
Please complete the web form below to nominate your organisation and/or an individual, and to provide the details (name, title, phone, and email address) of a high-level contact for further development of the Program and communication with your organisation.
Once we have received your Expressions of Interest, we will enter your details into a database of organisations and individuals who are willing to participate in the Program.
When we have found a match for your organisation or individual, we will contact you to arrange an introduction to the other party and to initiate the placement.
Network Operator Development Program
(Victoria Only)
The Network Operator Development Program, established in 2017, aims to identify, mentor, and develop future leaders in Victorian water network operations. It enhances operators’ knowledge, skills, and networks by exposing them to strategic thinking and best practices in technology, business management, and leadership. Graduates gain tools to implement best practices, increase productivity, and foster a professional culture, ultimately improving customer focus in their network activities. The program runs annually.
Graduates will be provided tools enabling them to learn how to identify and implement best practice approaches, increase productivity and enhance a professional culture within their respective organisations, to deliver an improved customer focus in their network related activities.
Water Industry Operator Registration (ACUARIO)
Registration provides an assurance to regulators, communities and the users of drinking water and recycled water that Operators are competent to manage drinking water, wastewater and/or recycled water quality, as well as being capable of identifying and responding to drinking water, wastewater and/or recycled water quality risks and incidents.
Registration indicates that an individual operator has a specific set of knowledge, skills, competence and experience which is recognised by the employer and the registration body.