If you’re building on unsewered land in NSW, you’ll need an on-site sewage management (OSSM) assessment. This is also called a wastewater assessment, septic system report, or effluent disposal report.

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There’s no single source that covers it all. So here are the key NSW wastewater guidelines, OSSM rules, and council links in one place.

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USEFUL STATEWIDE RESOURCES ON WASTEWATER ASSESSMENTS IN NSW

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NSW Office of Local Government – On-site Wastewater Guidelines (2026)
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/onsite-wastewater-management-guidelines.pdf
The main NSW OSSM guidelines used by councils. Your wastewater report needs to align with this.

 

NSW OLG – Septic tank and OSSM regulations
https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/about-councils/laws-and-regulations/onsite-sewage-management-septic-tanks/
Outlines the approval process and responsibilities for septic systems and on-site wastewater management.

 

NSW EPA – Water quality and effluent reuse guidelines
https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Your-environment/Water/Polices-Guidelines-and-Programs
Technical guidance on effluent disposal, irrigation reuse, and protecting waterways.

 

WaterNSW – Designing on-site wastewater systems
https://www.waternsw.com.au/documents/crps/general-development/onsite-sewage/Designing-and-Installing-On-Site-Wastewater-Systems.pdf
Covers system design and installation considerations.

 

​​USEFUL RESOURCES ON EACH COUNCIL'S REQUIREMENTS

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Each council ALSO has its own requirements for septic approvals, wastewater reports, and land capability assessments.

Start with your local council:

• Yass Valley: https://www.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/Our-Services/Public-health/Onsite-Sewage-Management

• Goulburn Mulwaree: https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/Development/Plans-Strategies

• Queanbeyan-Palerang: https://www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/Services/Water/Water-and-Sewer

• Wingecarribee: https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Services/Water-and-Sewer

• Shoalhaven: https://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Home-and-property/Water-and-sewage/On-site-sewage-management

• Eurobodalla: https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/council/plans-and-reporting/plans-and-strategies

• Kiama: https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Services/Public-health-and-safety/Onsite-sewage-management

• Liverpool: https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/environment/environmental-health/On-site-Sewage-Management

• Blue Mountains: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/residents/waste-water-management

• Camden: https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/environment-and-regulatory-services/onsite-sewage-management

• Campbelltown: https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Council-and-Councillors/Council-Documents

• Wollondilly: https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/business/onsite-wastewater

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Our job is to deliver clear, site-specific wastewater assessments that meet NSW OSSM guidelines and get through council the first time, without unnecessary delays or redesign.

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If you need a wastewater report, septic system assessment, or effluent disposal design, get in touch.
 

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