On-site sewerage facilities treat domestic sewage in unsewered areas. The facility can treat, store and dispose of sewage generated on the premises. A facility may include either:
- an on-site sewage treatment plant, which uses mechanical, biological and filtration methods to treat waste before discharging through either above- or below-ground irrigation systems
- a septic system, which uses biological methods to treat waste before discharging through a below-ground system
- dry-vault toilets that are chemical, composting or incinerating toilets.
Approvals for on-site sewerage facilities
Installing an on-site sewage treatment plant requires:
If homeowners don't have approval, the system can't be installed in Queensland.
Check the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code (PDF, 1.1MB) and Australian Standard AS1546.3:2017 for details on the performance requirements and criteria used to assess on-site sewage treatment and greywater treatment facilities.
Who issues approvals
The Department of Energy and Public Works issues chief executive approvals for on-site sewage treatment plants to treat sewage from fewer than 21 equivalent persons.
The Department of Environment and Science issues approval for systems treating sewage from 21 equivalent persons or more.
Composting toilets
Composting toilets use a process of biological degradation to convert nightsoil into a humus-like substance through the aerobic action of micro-organisms and invertebrates.
New composting toilet installations presented for sale in Queensland must comply with Part F1.4 Composting, chemical and incinerating toilets of the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code (PDF, 1MB).
Consumers who purchase a composting toilet must request a written statement of compliance from the manufacturer or distributor. Submit this statement to the local government with the approval application. We won't accept composting toilets previously approved by Queensland Health or the Environmental Protection Agency as evidence of compliance.
Pre-approved systems
The Department of Housing and Public Works has already approved wastewater treatment systems for varying qualities of effluent. Find out more about these qualities and their approved systems below:
Secondary quality
Compliance characteristics of secondary quality effluent:
- 90% of the samples taken over the test period have a BOD5 less than or equal to 20g/m3, with no sample greater than 30g/m3.
- 90% of the samples taken over the test period have total suspended solids less than or equal to 30g/m3, with no sample greater than 45g/m3.
- Where disinfection is provided, 90% of the samples taken over the test period have thermotolerant coliform count not exceeding 200 organisms per 100ml, with no sample exceeding 1,000 organisms per 100ml.
- Where chlorination is the disinfection process, the total chlorine concentration is greater than or equal to 0.5g/m3 and less than 2.0g/m3 in 4 out of 5 samples taken.
Approved facilities
Company name | Approved facilities | Approval documents | Expiry date |
---|
AWTS/Envirocycle (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Envirocycle Model Mark 6
|
Department of Primary Industries
|
Approved: 1987
|
AWTS/Envirocycle (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Envirocycle Model 14
|
Department of Primary Industries
|
Approved: 1994
|
AWTS/Envirocycle (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Envirocycle 4,000L Primary Treatment Tank
|
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
|
Approved: 1993
|
AWTS/Envirocycle (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Envirocycle 10–20 Person Commercial
|
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
|
Approved: 1992
|
AWTS/Envirocycle (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Envirocycle Model 12Q
|
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
|
Approved: 1990
|
B.V. Hawthorne Pty Ltd (trading as Ecosafe Wastewater Treatment) |
Ecosafe Aerobic Sand Filter
| Chief executive approval 05/2016 (PDF, 449KB) |
26 Apr 2021
|
Biolytix Ltd |
Biolytix BF6 Mark 2
| Chief executive approval 01/2016 (PDF, 326KB) |
18 Feb 2021
|
Bioseptic Pty Ltd |
Bioseptic Performa 2000
| Chief executive approval 07/2015 (PDF, 334KB) |
10 Apr 2020
|
Chankar Environmental Pty Ltd |
Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES 38)
| Treatment Plant Approval 01/2020 (PDF, 2MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Econocycle |
Econocycle ENC10-1
| Chief executive approval 02/2018 (PDF, 177KB) |
12 Aug 2023
|
Econocycle |
Econocycle ENC10-2
| Chief executive approval 03/2018 (PDF, 176KB) |
12 Aug 2023
|
Econocycle |
Econocycle ENP10-2
| Chief executive approval 04/2018 (PDF, 171KB) |
12 Aug 2023
|
Eloy Water Australia |
Oxyfix C-90 10PE - No Disinfection
| Chief executive approval 15/2016 (PDF, 798KB) |
20 Dec 2021
|
Envirotech Pty Ltd |
Envirotech Aerobic Sand Filter
| Treatment Plant Approval 14/2019 (PDF, 2.5MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Envirotech Pty Ltd |
Envirotech ASF
| Treatment Plant Approval 13/2019 (PDF, 817KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd | Concrete/Poly Aqua Advanced (8EP/1200L) | Treatment Plant Approval 02/2021 (PDF, 1.9MB) | 27 Jan 2026 |
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova models 80100, 80110 and 80114
| Treatment Plant Approval 15/2020 (PDF, 292KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova model 10114
| Treatment Plant Approval 14/2020 (PDF, 227KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova model 80203
| Treatment Plant Approval 16/2020 (PDF, 220KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova model 10100
| Treatment Plant Approval 11/2020 (PDF, 246KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Graf Australia Pty Ltd |
Graf Klaro Epro15
| Chief executive approval 21/2015 (PDF, 338KB) |
12 Aug 2020
|
Houston Services Pty Ltd
|
WWR-Mark IV
| Chief executive approval 12/2016 (PDF, 6.1MB) |
19 Oct 2021
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Biocycle 4,700L
| Dept Primary Industries approval 18/2006 (PDF, 153KB) |
Approved: 1993
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Biocycle 6,000L
| 6,000L Dept Natural Resources and Mines approval dated 02/1985 (PDF, 357KB) |
Approved: 1987
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Biocycle 'Hunter' 5100
| Hunter 5,100L Dept Natural Resources approval dated 01/1990 (PDF, 252KB) |
Approved: 1991
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Biocycle 10–20 person
| Biocycle 10–20 EP approval dated 01/1991 (PDF, 172KB) |
Approved: 1991
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Biocycle 4550 S.P. Conversio
| Biocycle 4550 S.P. Dept Natural Resources and Mines approval date 07/2002 (PDF, 291KB) |
Approved: 1987
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Enviroseptic Model 10
| Model 10 approved dated 06/1995 (PDF, 372KB) |
Approved: 1995
|
JOWA Group Pty Ltd (trading as Biocycle) |
Enviroseptic Model 114
| Model 114 approval dated 06/1995 (PDF, 400KB) |
Approved: 1995
|
Kingspan Water & Energy Pty Ltd |
BioFicient Series 1
| Chief executive approval 01/2019 (PDF, 10.6MB) |
19 Feb 2024
|
Nature Flow Systems Pty Ltd |
Nature Flow MK II STP
| Chief executive approval 26/2015 (PDF, 1MB) |
20 Jan 2021
|
Quality Tanks Pty Ltd |
Krystel Kleer CD 100
| Chief executive approval 03/2015 (PDF, 476KB) |
19 Mar 2020
|
Rainflow Stormwater Solution P/L |
GM 7100 Elite
| Chief executive approval 07/2016 (PDF, 221KB) |
11 May 2021
|
Rivatec Environmental Pty Ltd |
Rivatec ES10PC
| Treatment Plant Approval 17/2020 (PDF, 657KB) |
01 Jan 2024
|
Rotomoulding Pty Ltd |
UBI Aqua 6000
| Chief executive approval 05/2017 (PDF, 1.2MB) |
26 Jul 2022
|
Suncoast Waste Water Management |
Ozzi Kleen RP10
| Chief executive approval 02/2016 (PDF, 311KB) |
15 Apr 2021
|
Taylex Industries Pty Ltd |
Clearwater 90 Deluxe
| Chief executive approval 11/2016 (PDF, 468KB) |
22 Sep 2021
|
Advanced secondary
Compliance characteristics of advanced secondary quality effluent:
- 90% of the samples taken over the test period have a BOD5 less than or equal to 10g/m3 with no sample greater than 20g/m3.
- 90% of the samples taken over the test period have total suspended solids less than or equal to 10g/m3 with no sample greater than 20g/m3.
- Where disinfection is provided, 90% of the samples taken over the test period have thermotolerant coliform count not exceeding 10 organisms per 100ml with no sample exceeding 200 organisms per 100ml.
- Where chlorination is the disinfection process, the total chlorine concentration is greater than or equal to 0.5g/m3 and less than 2.0g/m3 in 4 out of 5 samples taken.
Approved facilities
Company name | Approved facilities | Approval documents | Expiry date |
---|
B.V. Hawthorne Pty Ltd (trading as Ecosafe Wastewater Treatment) |
Ecosafe Crown Waste Water Treatment Plant 10 EP Gravity and Pressure System
| Chief executive approval 01/2017 (PDF, 1.2MB) |
23 Jan 2021
|
B.V. Hawthorne Pty Ltd (trading as Ecosafe Wastewater Treatment) |
Ecosafe Advanced Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant 10–20 EP
| Chief executive approval 06/2016 (PDF, 509KB) |
25 Aug 2021
|
Chankar Environmental Pty Ltd |
Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES)
| Chief executive approval 15/2019 (PDF, 2.2MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Eco Septic Pty Ltd |
Eco Pro AWTS
| Treatment plant approval 05/2020 (PDF, 2.5MB) |
17 Sept 2025
|
Eco Water Pty Ltd |
Earthsafe D10 S/C model
| Treatment plant approval 03/2019 (PDF, 930KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Eco Water Pty Ltd |
Earthsafe D10 S/F model
| Treatment plant approval 05/2019 (PDF, 997KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Eloy Water Australia |
Oxyfix C-90 – Chlorine Model
| Treatment plant approval 09/2019 (PDF, 1.1MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Eloy Water Australia |
Oxyfix C-90 – UV Model
| Treatment plant approval 10/2019 (PDF, 1.2MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Envirotech Pty Ltd |
Envirotech A.S.F. Generation II
| Treatment Plant Approval 12/2019 (PDF, 826KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd | Concrete/Poly Aqua Advanced (8EP/1200L) | Treatment Plant Approval 02/2021 (PDF, 1.9MB) | 27 Jan 2026 |
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova 80203Z
| Treatment Plant Approval 10/2020 (PDF, 3.6MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova models 80100Z, 80110Z and 80114Z
| Treatment Plant Approval 12/2020 (PDF, 1.6MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova model 10114Z
| Treatment Plant Approval 13/2020 (PDF, 1.6MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Everhard Industries Pty Ltd |
Aqua-Nova model 10100Z
| Treatment Plant approval 08/2020 (PDF, 285KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Fuji Clean Australia |
CE 1500EX model
| Treatment Plant approval 08/2019 (PDF, 1.4MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Kingspan Water & Energy Pty Ltd |
Kingspan Advanced BioFicient
| Treatment Plant Approval 04/2020 (PDF, 1.8MB) |
10 Sept 2025
|
Magnesium Tech Pty Ltd (Recycle Water Solutions Pty Ltd) |
Waterboy model
| Chief executive approval 24/2015 (PDF, 369KB) |
1 Jul 2020
|
Quality Tanks Pty Ltd |
Krystel Kleer Model ADV 5000
| Treatment Plant Approval 02/2020 (PDF, 1MB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Quality Tanks Pty Ltd |
Krystel Kleer Model Poly ADV 5000
| Treatment Plant Approval 03/2020 (PDF, 907KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Rivatec Environmental Pty Ltd | Rivatec RWT 10-2 (10EP/1500L) | Treatment Plant Approval 01/2021 (PDF, 4.3MB) | 27 Jan 2026 |
Sayer Civil Pty Ltd |
Aerobic Sand Filtration (HTSP)
| Chief executive approval 01/2018 (PDF, 1.4MB) |
2 May 2023
|
Suncoast Waste Water Management |
Ozzi Kleen Model RP10A
| Chief executive approval 03/2016 (PDF, 183KB) |
15 May 2021
|
Taylex Industries Ptd Ltd |
Taylex Concrete/Poly ABS 1500
| Treatment Plant Approval 18/2020 (PDF, 1.6MB) |
12 Nov 2025
|
Taylex Industries Ptd Ltd |
Taylex ABS with UV
| Treatment plant approval 06/2020 (PDF, 385KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Taylex Industries Ptd Ltd |
Taylex ABS with Chlorine
| Treatment plant approval 07/2020 (PDF, 385KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Toowoomba Tanks and Super-Treat Systems (Qld) Pty Ltd |
Super-Treat Model IT-AST Advanced Secondary Quality Wastewater Treatment System
| Treatment plant approval (PDF, 786KB) |
1 Jan 2024
|
Advanced secondary with nutrient removal
Compliance characteristics of advanced secondary quality effluent with nutrient removal:
- 90% of samples taken over the test period have a BOD5 less than or equal to 10g/m3 with no sample greater than 20g/m3.
- 90% of samples taken over the test period have total suspended solids less than or equal to 10g/m3 with no sample greater than 20g/m3.
- Where disinfection is provided, 90% of the samples taken over the test period shall have a thermotolerant coliform count (not exceeding 10 organisms per 100ml with no sample exceeding 200 organisms per 100ml.
- Where chlorination is the disinfection process, the total chlorine concentration is greater than or equal to 0.5g/m3 and less than 2.0g/m3 in 4 out of 5 samples taken.
- 90% of the samples, with 95% confidence limits, taken over the test period have a total nitrogen concentration less than or equal to 10mg/l.
- 90% of the samples, with 95% confidence limits, taken over the test period have a total phosphorus concentration less than or equal to 5mg/l.
Approved facilities