Hydraulic · Australian guide
WaterMark & WELS: What Goes in a Hydraulic Technical Submission
Quick answer
A hydraulic technical submission needs the data sheet for each plumbing product plus two things reviewers always check: the WaterMark licence, which proves the product is certified for use under the Plumbing Code of Australia, and for water-using fixtures the WELS registration, which gives the star rating and flow. Add the AS/NZS 3500 compliance notes, installation instructions and warranty, and key every item to the hydraulic schedule.
What belongs in a hydraulic submission
Hydraulic packages usually follow the NATSPEC 08 group: 0801 Hydraulic systems, 0812 Tapware, 0813 Water heaters and the drainage worksections. For each product, include:
- The manufacturer's data sheet with the exact model, finish and options marked
- The WaterMark licence number and certificate for every plumbing and drainage product
- The WELS registration and star rating for taps, showers, toilets, urinals and other water-using fixtures
- Flow rates and pressure ranges, checked against the hydraulic design
- Installation instructions, so the plumber can install to the manufacturer's conditions
- Water heater details: energy source, capacity, recovery rate, tempering valve or thermostatic mixing valve where required
- Warranty terms and maintenance information
WaterMark: what it is and how to show it
WaterMark is the national certification scheme, run by the Australian Building Codes Board, for plumbing and drainage products. The Plumbing Code of Australia (NCC Volume Three) requires certified products for most plumbing work, so a product without a current WaterMark can't usually be installed.
In the submission, show the licence number and check it is current on the WaterMark product database. Make sure the model you are supplying is covered by the licence — certificates list the models, and a near match is not enough.
WELS: ratings for water-using products
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme gives water-using products a star rating and a flow or water-use figure. Taps, showerheads, toilets, urinals, dishwashers and washing machines must be registered and labelled before they are sold.
Show the WELS registration and star rating for each fixture, and check it meets the rating the specification or a sustainability target (such as Green Star or NABERS) asks for. A tap can be WaterMark certified and still miss the WELS rating the job needs.
Common rejection reasons
Hydraulic reviewers flag these first.
- WaterMark licence missing, expired, or not covering the exact model supplied
- WELS star rating below what the specification or sustainability target requires
- Imported product with overseas approvals only and no Australian certification
- Flow rate or pressure range doesn't suit the design
- No tempering or thermostatic mixing valve where hot water delivery limits apply
- Tapware finish or model differs from the schedule with no substitution request
Let the builder put the submission together
List the products on your schedule — or upload the worksection — and Submittal.app finds the data sheets, adds a cover and transmittal, and lets you refine it in chat. First packages are free.
Start freeCommon questions
Does every plumbing product need WaterMark?
Most plumbing and drainage products do under the Plumbing Code of Australia. Some low-risk products are exempt. Check the WaterMark schedule of products, and if in doubt ask the hydraulic engineer or the plumbing regulator in your state.
What's the difference between WaterMark and WELS?
WaterMark says a product is fit and safe to connect to the plumbing system. WELS says how much water it uses. A tap or toilet usually needs both.
Where do I check a WaterMark licence?
On the WaterMark product database on the ABCB website. Search by licence number or manufacturer and confirm the model you're supplying is listed.
Where do I check a WELS rating?
On the WELS product registration database. Search by brand and model to see the registered star rating and flow.