Learn more about duly qualified persons, what they do and how to become a certified meter installer.
Read the Industry guide for works requiring a meter (PDF, 499.43 KB)
Extension to rollout dates
Water users in the NSW Southern Inland and Coastal regions have been given extra time to install non-urban metering equipment in the wake of significant rainfall and widespread flooding.
The NSW Government has provided the extension to give water users a reprieve as they continue to face ongoing flood events.
The new compliance dates are:
- 1 June 2023 for Southern Inland (extended by 6 months)
- 1 December 2024 to Coastal NSW extended by 12 months)
What is a duly qualified person?
A duly qualified person (DQP) is a person with the qualifications, skills or experience to carry out certain work in relation to metering equipment.
Different types of DQPs are required to carry out different work in relation to metering equipment. Certified meter installers, certified practising hydrographers, metering system designers and telemetry technicians are all DQPs.
Under the non-urban metering rules, only a DQP can install and validate metering equipment, including local intelligence devices (LIDs) and tamper-evident seals.
There are two main types of DQPs: a certified meter installer and a certified practising hydrographer.
Certified meter installers
Certified meter installers (CMIs) can install and validate metering equipment, including telemetry, for closed conduit works, such as pumps and bores.
Irrigation Australia Limited is responsible for training, certifying and overseeing the professional conduct of certified meter installers.
For information about becoming a certified meter installer, visit Irrigation Australia’s website.
Certified practising hydrographers
A certified practising hydrographer can install and validate metering equipment for open conduit works, such as channels and regulators.
The Australian Hydrographers Association is responsible for training, certifying, and overseeing the professional conduct of certified meter hydrographers.
Tools for DQPs
The DQP Portal
The DQP Portal is a web-based tool hosted by WaterNSW.
It is an important tool for DQPs operating in NSW as it allows DQPs to:
- ensure that LIDs are appropriately configured and associated with the correct water licensing information
- submit documentation, on behalf of their client, to the Minister confirming that metering equipment has been properly installed
- record the steps they have taken to order, install and validate metering equipment on behalf of their client.
WaterNSW has developed a suite of training materials for DQPs. These are available in the DQP Portal.
For questions about the DQP Portal please email dqp.enquiries@waternsw.com.au.
Telemetry service check
The local intelligence device (LID) that records the water taken through approved works requires Telstra service to record data to meet recording requirements to the government.
The government have a mobile coverage tool to identify mobile coverage in NSW for metered telemetry. This tool can assist meter installers to decide the best way to meter a water users water take and if telemetry is suitable.
Complete the details on the mobile coverage tool to see the telemetry possibilities for specific works.
Contact us
For questions about the non-urban metering framework please email:
For questions about the non-urban metering framework please email: metering.reform@dpie.nsw.gov.au