National Water Industry

The Water Industry provides essential services to communities and businesses by providing drinking water, sewerage systems, irrigation water for agriculture and management of ground water for the mining industry.

The impacts of climate change is already affecting the Water Industry especially in relation to water catchments to keep a steady supply of water. Education by promoting awareness to households on their water usage is an effective way to raise this issue alongside the use of alternative sources and new technology for our water supply.

What does this industry cover?

New innovations are changing the skills and how people work in the Water Industry. The use of optical sonar and acoustic sensors that can accurately detect water leaks, and underground monitoring technology that can collect data about water quality.

There are new treatment practices utilising sunlight power to treat wastewater and a world first Australian technology called ‘graphene oxide membrane' that can purify water.

Digital Water Metering (DWM) has been trialled in Victoria and Queensland with great success.

Job hunting preparation

The sub-sectors in the Water Industry are: water supply, sewerage, drainage services, and pipeline water transport and water quality management.

Waste water operators and water treatment operators are the occupations gained by completing an apprenticeship or traineeship and are among the most critical jobs in the Water Industry.

Top skills required in this industry: digital skills, health and safety, operational skills, communication, problem solving, planning and detailed orientated.

Information for further research

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers. Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry. Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.