The range of products regulated under the WELS scheme can be expanded to include new products. Expanding the number of products within scope of the WELS scheme would save more water and reduce consumer utility bills.
It is expected that the regulation of a new product would also apply to the WELS scheme operating in New Zealand.
2025 timeline
The nomination period is open annually during February to March.
In 2025, nominations opened on 3 February 2025 and closed on 14 March 2025.
If you would like to nominate a product outside of this nomination period, you can contact us at wels@dcceew.gov.au.
WELS Product Expansion Program 2025–26 work plan
Between February and March 2025, stakeholders were invited to nominate products to be considered for potential inclusion in the WELS scheme.
Six product nominations were received. Of these, thermostatic shower mixer kits did not pass the threshold assessment, while cistern (flushing devices) and residential dishwashers are already regulated under the scheme. Thermostatic mixing taps, previously nominated in 2024, were carried forward for further consideration. Two newly nominated products—commercial dishwashers and commercial glasswashers—passed the threshold assessment.
Following evaluation, the nominated products were prioritised in the following order:
- Commercial ice makers
- Commercial clothes washing machines
- Commercial dishwashers
- Thermostatic mixing taps
- Commercial glasswashers
- Commercial water-cooled wok stoves.
This prioritisation includes active products from the 2024 nomination process.
During 2025–26, the WELS program will finalise an Impact Analysis for commercial ice makers, consult with industry on the inclusion of thermostatic mixing taps, and undertake technical and market assessments for the remaining prioritised products. These activities will inform decisions on further analysis and potential regulation.
More information about the nomination process and assessments is provided in the WELS Product Expansion Program 2025–26 work plan.
Download
WELS Product Expansion Program 2025–26 work plan (PDF 674 KB)
WELS Product Expansion Program 2025–26 work plan (DOCX 990 KB)
WELS Product Expansion Program 2024–25 work plan
Between February and March 2024, stakeholders were invited to nominate products to be considered for potential inclusion in the WELS scheme.
Six product nominations were received.
More information about the nomination process and assessments is provided in the WELS Product Expansion Program 2024–25 work plan.
Download
WELS Product Expansion Program 2024–25 work plan (PDF 637 KB)
WELS Product Expansion Program 2024–25 work plan (DOCX 993 KB)
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How we will assess and prioritise the nominated products
All product nominations will be assessed using the WELS Product Assessment Framework.
Assessment process
Submitting a product nomination does not guarantee its inclusion in the WELS scheme. All nominations undergo a structured four-stage assessment process.
Stage 1 -Threshold assessment
This initial assessment determines whether a nominated product meets the minimum eligibility criteria. All nominated products will be tested against a series of yes/no questions. A product needs to meet all threshold criteria to proceed to the next stage. The threshold assessment questions are:
- Does the product meet the WELS Act definition of ‘water-saving’ or ‘water-using’ product?
- Is the product supplied or advertised for supply in Australia?
- Is the product for either residential or commercial use?
- Is the product a stand-alone item (i.e. not part of a system)?
- Does the product operate independently without storing water for use by other products?
- Does the product consume water when in use (i.e. does it have a water flow rate)?
- Is the product provided in a range of models?
The Threshold assessment of product nominations are conducted after the close of the annual nomination period. We may contact you if further information is required.
Stage 2 - Prioritisation assessment
This stage determines the order that nominated products should be assessed. The prioritisation criteria consist of three categories:
- Potential water savings - water consumption and where and how the product is used.
- Energy use - direct or indirect energy use (if relevant to the product).
- Ease of assessment - alignment with other regulatory schemes, stakeholder support, data availability, existence of standards and availability of testing laboratories.
Stage 3 - Product information assessment
This stage involves a more detailed evaluation of the product’s potential for water and energy savings, as well as the ease of assessment. If the assessment indicates that the product could be a valuable addition to the scheme, it will progress to the regulatory assessment stage.
Stage 4 - Regulatory assessment
This stage may involve detailed analysis under the Australian Government’s Policy Impact Analysis Framework and/or stakeholder consultation. If a sufficient cost-benefit is demonstrated, the product will be presented to the WELS Regulator for a decision to proceed with developing an implementation pathway.
Implementation pathway
If the WELS Regulator decides to include a product in the scheme, the following steps may be required:
- engagement with stakeholders who would be expected to be impacted
- development of testing and performance standards (if not already published)
- development of water efficiency rating specifications
- development of product labelling requirements
- amendment of legislation and the WELS Standard (AS/NZS 6400)
- modifying the WELS registration system to enable registration
- preparation of a Regulatory Impact Analysis
- development of a product regulation transition plan.
Information required when nominating a product.
Providing evidence, information, commentary and supporting data will assist in the assessment of your product nomination.
The type of information to support your nomination includes:
- product description
- details of other Australian regulation that currently applies to the product
- information about the product models that are available in Australia and New Zealand
- data on the target market – e.g. who are the consumers, what is their level of demand
- data on the manufacturing and supply market size
- information about manufacturers, suppliers, consumers and end users who purchase the product
- information on where the product is used or installed
- information on how the product is used – e.g. frequency of use, level of end user input
- data on product water efficiency (including across available models)
- data on product energy use (if relevant)
- details on standards which support the testing and performance requirements of the product
- information on the availability of suitable test laboratories
- information on industry views and support for the product nomination.
Questions
Please email us at wels@dcceew.gov.au if you have any further questions.