Onsite Sewage Management

If your home is not connected to the sewer, you may have an on-site sewerage management system, such as a septic tank, composting toilet or aerated system.


Septic tanks

If your home is not connected to the sewer, you may have an on-site sewerage management system, such as a septic tank, composting toilet or aerated system.

There are special regulations that apply to these systems. As the owner of the property, it is your responsibility to ensure that the system is approved by your local council and that it is working properly. On-site systems can be a risk to the health of your family and other community members if they are not properly maintained. They can also cause harm to the environment.

To ensure that your system meets the requirements, you will need to obtain two approvals from your local council.

After you obtain these approvals, the council will carry out regular inspections to make sure the system is working properly. Councils can charge inspection fees for this service.

If you have any questions about the on-site sewerage system requirements, your local council can help, or consult the Easy Septic Guide which you can download by clicking on the link below or see our fact sheets.

Easy Septic Guide(PDF, 893KB)

Get SepticSmart - Fact Sheets

Working Towards Safe & Responsible On-Site Sewage Management

  1. Introduction(PDF, 307KB)
  2. Septic Tank and Absorption Trench(PDF, 1MB)
  3. Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)(PDF, 357KB)
  4. Why Should You Maintain Your OSMS(PDF, 287KB)
  5. Responsibilities of OSMS Owners(PDF, 307KB)
  6. Problems With Your OSMS(PDF, 283KB)
  7. Dos and Don'ts Of Operating OSMS(PDF, 392KB)
  8. Approval to Operate OSMS(PDF, 333KB)
  9. What to Expect When You're Inspected(PDF, 343KB)
  10. Water Conservation Tips(PDF, 329KB)
  11. Planting List(PDF, 395KB)
  12. Common Terms Associated With OSMS(PDF, 343KB)
  13. OSMS Record Sheet(PDF, 340KB)