On-site sewerage facilities are used for the treatment of domestic sewage on premises in unsewered areas.

For home owners

To install an on-site sewage treatment plant you must get approval from your local council.

There are different types of on-site sewage facilities. When investigating different models check that the on-site facility has been given a chief executive approval or its equivalent (type specification or model approval). If the facility does not have an approval it cannot be installed in Queensland.

For manufacturers

Manufacturers of on-site sewage treatment facilities must ensure their facilities are approved.

Approvals for on-site sewage treatment facilities to treat sewage from less than 21 equivalent persons are issued by our department. Sewage equal to or greater than 21 equivalent persons requires a license from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code ( 400 KB) and AS1546.3:2001 (Joint Australian and New Zealand Standard), document the performance requirements and criteria used to assess on-site sewage treatment and greywater treatment facilities.

Approved systems

The department approves wastewater treatment systems to varying qualities such as:

• primary quality
• secondary quality
• advanced secondary
• advanced secondary with nutrient removal

The department provides a register of Greywater Diversion Devices that have been approved by the WaterMark Certification Scheme:

• greywater diversion devices

Information about composting treatment systems can be found here:

• composting treatment systems