Benefits of the scheme
Research into the benefits of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme was conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney in 2025.
This study assesses the impacts of the WELS scheme from 2006 to the end of 2025 and projects future impacts to the end of 2045. This study builds on previous ISF evaluations of the WELS scheme, completed in 2018.
This study expands the scope to include impacts in five non-residential subsectors and incorporates changes in sales data, national energy policy, utility prices and population increase since the 2018 evaluation.
Evaluation of the WELS scheme 2025
Publication details
Fane, S., Butler, A., Kim, Y., Bentley, A., Watts, E. (2025), Evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of the WELS scheme. Report prepared for DCCEEW, Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, December 2025.
The key findings of the report are as follows:
- The WELS scheme continues to deliver measurable national benefits across environmental, economic, and social domains.
- Since 2006, the scheme has saved 2,060 gigalitres of water. By 2045, total savings are projected to reach 7,670 gigalitres.
- In 2025 the scheme has delivered $16.7 billion in savings for Australia since 2006, including $12 billion in residential savings.
- In 2025, households save an average of 35 litres of water per day. By 2045, this is expected to increase to 43 litres per day.
Download full report
Evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of the WELS scheme 2025 (PDF 7.23 MB)
Evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of the WELS scheme 2025 (DOCX 4.72 MB)
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