Applying for a permit

Permits for new dwellings

A property with a septic tank or wastewater treatment system requires a Permit to Install and a Certificate to Use.

The Permit to Install provides conditions about the type and use of system approved for the dwelling.  A site plan will also require approval and should show the septic tank location and the effluent disposal area.

The Certificate to Use must be issued by council before the system is used or a Certificate of Occupancy is issued by a building surveyor.

The wastewater treatment systems that you choose must be approved under the appropriate Australian Standard: 

1. AS/NZ 1546.1 Septic Tanks

2. AS/NZ 1546.2 Waterless Composting Toilets

3. AS/NZ 1546.3 Secondary Treatment Systems or

4. AS/NZ 1546.4 Domestic Greywater Treatment Systems

You should obtain a copy of the Certificate of Conformance from the manufacturer or retailer.

When designing your system and drawing up plans, it is important that your system is located so that any environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, groundwater and waterways are protected. Information can be found in the Guideline for onsite wastewater effluent dispersal and recycling systems(PDF, 10MB).
 
Council’s public health officers will inspect the property to ensure the wastewater system planned meets the guidelines, before issuing a Permit to Install.

If you wish to obtain a wastewater permit for a system with a capacity of less than 5000L per day, please apply through the online application link below.

Please be aware there are fees and charges associated with obtaining certain permits. You can find these on our website here. 

Do you need to apply for an amendment, transfer or renewal of your current permit to install or alter your on-site wastewater management system?

Simply send an email with your current permit number, address of the installation and details of the changes that you wish to make to the current permit conditions to health@ngshire.vic.gov.au. 

Permits for existing dwellings

Are you planning an extension, adding an ensuite or extra bedrooms to your house? If you have an onsite wastewater treatment system or septic tank and you plan to add to the amount of wastewater created, you will require permission to install or alter your wastewater system.

This permit may be necessary if you add extra bedrooms to a dwelling or alter the drains of the house by adding an ensuite bathroom or putting in a spa bath. If your effluent disposal area requires enlarging or replacement due to failure (root blockage, ground disturbance or just old age) you will require permission to install a wastewater system.
 
The type of permit you may need could be:
  • Permit to install: used for the installation or alteration of the on-site wastewater system where wastewater is treated and discharged into the environment or reused.
  • Permit to alter: used for an alteration that consists only of the installation, replacement or relocation of the internal plumbing, fixtures or fittings of an on-site wastewater management system.
  • Exemption from a permit: used for the installation or alteration of an on-site wastewater management system that does not discharge to the environment or increase the discharge to the environment and will not detrimentally affect another person or their interests. (Note: Full plans of the planned system are still required for assessment purposes.)

If you wish to obtain a wastewater permit, please apply through the online application link below.

The video below explains the process for obtaining a permit for a septic system and outlines what's involved. 

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