The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is designed to help you choose more water efficient products for your home or business.
Using water efficient products could save Australians more than $2 billion by 2030. That’s an average saving of $175 per household each year.
- 65% of these savings are from reduced electricity and gas costs from avoided water heating.
- 35% of these savings are from reduced water bills.
If you actively replace inefficient products with efficient ones, you could save even more.
Find out how to use water rating information to compare and choose water efficient products when you’re shopping online or in store.
Products we regulate
Products regulated under the WELS scheme:
- Plumbing products: taps, showers, flow controllers, toilets and urinals.
- Whitegoods: clothes washing machines and dishwashers.
Regulated products must be registered with us and labelled with their water rating information. If they are not registered and labelled, they cannot legally be offered for sale in Australia.
Compare products
Look for the water rating label or text advice that must be provided with all regulated products, in store and online.
You can use details provided on the water rating label and in our product database to help you choose more water efficient products.
Learn how to use water rating information to compare the water efficiency of regulated products.
Product testing
Before a regulated product can be registered with us, it has to be thoroughly tested to determine how much water the product uses.
Testing must:
- be conducted at a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)
- follow a specific, consistent process.
This ensures that the product is fit for purpose and that water efficiency information on the water rating label is reliable and accurate.
Find out more about how regulated products are tested.
Rebates
No consumer rebates are available as part of the WELS scheme.
Local authorities or state and territory governments may offer their own rebate schemes for people who buy products with a high water efficiency star rating.