Water Industry Operator Registration
The actions of Operators who treat water, wastewater and recycled water have a direct impact on its quality and may impact environmental and public health risks.
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.

Registration Process
Applications cannot be processed unless all of the relevant information and supporting documentation is provided.
Application Form (R01) | PDF |
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Fee Payment Form (R03) | PDF |
Word |
Apply
Applications can be lodged by registering with Acuario the administration system. Registering will include personal information and information about the applicants Employer (Supplier/Authority).
An invoice will be provided for payment of the Application Fee ($110 inc GST) and the registration process will commence.
For further information email: info@wioa.org.au
Training
Provide evidence of the satisfactory completion of accredited training under the nationally recognised Water Training Package (NWP).
Registered Training Organisations (RTO) are the only training providers that can supply the necessary documentation (called Statements of Attainment) that verify an applicant has met the training requirements. Each application must be supported by evidence of completion of accredited training such as Certificates, Statements of Attainment, or official student records from an RTO. All documentation supplied will be verified as an accurate copy by the Supplier/Authority and WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.
In accordance with the Framework, only accredited training completed in accordance with the National Water Training Package (NWP) or any subsequent version of the Training Package will be recognised.
Applicants with qualifications obtained from studies associated with training packages prior to NWP01 will be required to upgrade their qualifications to meet the requirements of the current Water Training Package.
Workplace Evidence Report (R07) | PDF |
Word |
Workplace Evidence Report
Complete the Workplace Evidence Report that documents the applicant’s competence and experience (capability). The Workplace Evidence Report is signed off by the Supplier/Authority and must meet the requirements of the system as identified in the System Complexity Rating.
Application Processed
WIOA will process the application and may if necessary request more information or clarification. Once your application has been initially evaluated, you will be notified of the decision in writing within 21 days.
REGISTRATION AWARDED
Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of approval.
Individuals can maintain their own personal portfolio and maintain Continuing Professional Development evidence with Acuario the registration administration system
LogIn to Acuario
For further information email: info@wioa.org.au

Suitably Qualified Person
Application to be a Suitably Qualified Person (R02) | PDF |
Word |
Drinking Water Suppliers, Wastewater Authorities or Recycled Water Suppliers are required to nominate one or more individuals to undertake the role of a “suitably qualified person”, this must be completed prior to any individual applications being submitted.
It is for the Supplier’s Chief Executive to determine an appropriate delegate, however, as a guide, it should be the most senior responsible technical officer within the organisation.
A suitably qualified person is someone who has sufficient relevant theoretical experience and/or at least three years operational experience in the unit process such that they are able to assess the competency of others, and is required to:
- Provide information on the supplier/authority processes
- Be the contact person for WIOA
- Verify the applicants operating experience within their business, including dates of employment
- Endorse that the operator seeking registration is suitably competent
All individuals must be signed off as being competent by a suitably qualified person and WIOA will maintain a register of all suitably qualified persons, that will be updated on an annual basis.
Application Form to be a Suitably Qualified Person to be completed by the Business/Authority Operations Manager or equivalent.

Eligibility & Appeals
Registered Operator
A Registered Operator has operational responsibility for treatment processes or facilities. Duties performed will range from basic monitoring, sampling, testing and reporting, to chemical dosing, control and optimisation of treatment processes.
The Registered Operator may have responsibility for more than one system at any one time, so long as it is reasonable to expect that the Registered Operator’s current competencies cover all treatment processes for which they are responsible.
Operator in Training
An Operator in Training is defined as an Operator who is gaining experience under the guidance of a Registered Operator, and who is performing routine tasks and undertaking relevant competency development which culminates in the attainment of relevant required competencies (from NWP).
The Operator in Training is not Registered under this Framework, but the Drinking Water Supplier, or Wastewater or Recycled Water Supplier is to ensure that opportunities are afforded to the Operator in Training to develop all necessary competencies to achieve Registration status.
Individual Contractors
Individual Contractors are individuals (Registered Operators) who work within a Drinking Water Treatment System, or Wastewater or Recycled Water Treatment System and they must also meet the minimum conditions for Registration.
Appeals
WIOCT Appeals Policy 2019 – Release Date 13-Dec-2018: – Water Industry Operator Registered Appeals Policy 2019
WIOCT Appeals Procedure 2019 – Release Date 13-Dec-2018: – Water Industry Operator Registered Appeals Procedure, July 2019

System Complexity Rating
The complexity of each treatment system forms the basis for determining and defining the competency and capability required of the certified operator.
Drinking Water
Low
Drinking water systems where no treatment barriers are in place or where disinfection is the only treatment barrier. Fluoridation of water may occur at this level. Skills required by Certified Operators will typically involve chemical dosing, sampling and/or reporting.
High
Drinking water systems that have two or more treatment barriers in place. Fluoridation may also occur.
Wastewater
Low
Wastewater or Recycled Water Treatment Systems where low technology wastewater treatment processes are utilised. Low complexity treatment processes can include lagoons, trickling filters, rotating biological contactors, Imhoff tanks or small package treatment plants that do not incorporate any activated sludge processes. Disinfection for reuse or discharge purposes may also be undertaken at this level.
Skills required by Certified Operators will typically involve monitoring, chemical dosing, sampling and/or reporting.
High
Wastewater or Recycled Water Treatment Systems where higher technology treatment processes are utilised. High technology wastewater treatment processes can include intermittent aeration/oxidation ditches, membrane bioreactors, biological nutrient removal and dissolved air flotation. Includes recycled water use for irrigation purposes where less than 2 recycling processes are employed.
Skills required by Certified Operators will typically involve monitoring, sampling, reporting, chemical dosing and control/optimisation of multiple processes in conventional and/or advanced wastewater or recycled water treatment systems.
Recycled Water
No distinct low/ high classifications.
Will include a recycled water treatment plant where higher technology treatment processes are utilised specifically to provide an end product fit for use for a higher-end purpose. Typically, the recycled water produced is used to replace potable water in industrial applications, third pipe schemes, or irrigation (including but not limited to golf courses, sporting fields and public gardens). For these higher level end-uses there may be a Recycled Water Quality Management Plan in place.
High technology wastewater treatment processes can include membrane bioreactors and/or membrane filtration processes, desalination processes, chemical or biological nutrient removal, dissolved air flotation, plus a disinfection step, such as chlorine or UV, and possibly irrigation system management.

Forms
Re-Registration
Code of Conduct (R00) | ![]() |
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Application Form (R01) | ![]() |
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Application to be a Suitably Qualified Person (R02) | ![]() |
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Fee Payment Form (R03) | ![]() |
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Workplace Evidence Report (R07) | ![]() |
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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
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CPD Activities (R06) | ![]() |
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Workplace Evidence Report (R07) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Accredited Training (R08) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Non-Accredited Training (R09) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Other Activities (R10) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Significant Workplace Project (R11) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Exceptional Activities (R12) | ![]() |
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Re-Registration Workplace Evidence Report (R13) | ![]() |
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TRAINING PROGRAM REGISTRATION |
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Training Program Registration Form (R14) | ![]() |
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Framework & Taskforce
Water Industry Operator Registration Taskforce
The Water Industry Operator Registration Framework 2021: Drinking Water, Wastewater, Recycled Water is published by qldwater, acting as secretariat for the Water Industry Operator Registration Taskforce (WIORT). The Taskforce is a group of senior industry volunteers who are committed to a strong professional development structure for Operators, which benefits the communities that they serve.
The development of the online administration system for the registration scheme has been supported by the Australian Services Union.
CONTACT WIOA
Address:
PO Box 6012, Shepparton Victoria Australia 3632
24 New Dookie Road, Shepparton Victoria Australia 3630
Telephone:
03 5821 6744
Email:
info@wioa.org.au
ABN: 83 123 468 422