In the Water Directorate's Strategy 2030, 'Workforce development – skills, knowledge and training' was identified as a core focus area with the goal to recognise and support the wide spectrum of size, capability and operating environment of our member LWU’s across regional NSW.

According to the latest NSW Local Water Utility Workforce Composition Report released in February 2025, approximately 8% to 14% of frontline operational roles remain vacant across the state. The situation is particularly acute for critical leadership roles, with two-thirds of supervisor and team leader positions remaining unfilled for longer than six months.

Ageing Workforce: Over 33% of the existing workforce is aged 50 years or older, leading to a looming "silver tsunami" of retirements that threatens to drain decades of institutional knowledge.
Regional Disparities: Rural and remote areas face the steepest hurdles, as competition with the mining and construction sectors often lures away qualified operators with higher remuneration.
Training Gaps: A fragmented training market and the high cost of developing teaching materials have historically limited the supply of newly qualified operators.

Water operators work in varied environments that present significant work health and safety risks. These can include confined spaces such as reservoirs, sewer networks and pump stations, exposure to treatment chemicals, manual handling tasks, electrical equipment in wet environments, and working near open water. Fieldwork at remote sites, long-distance driving, heavy machinery, weather exposure and wildlife can also contribute to risk, making strong safety practices, training and ongoing risk assessment essential.

In collaboration with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Water Directorate has developed a series of short videos highlighting critical work health and safety risks in water operations. The series aims to support Local Water Utilities across regional NSW by promoting practical safety awareness, stronger leadership and a positive safety culture.

1. How to use a standpipe: (3:08 min)
2. Excavate to repair a broken water or sewer main: (4:13 min)
3. Operation of a vehicle mounted crane to remove or place a pump into a sewer pump station: (7:12 min)
4. How to safely replace a water meter:(5:38 min)
5. Operation and maintenance of a pressure sewer system: (8:47 min)

To request access to any of these videos, please email info@waterdirectorate.asn.au

Card Courses

These are non-accredited courses developed by the industry to help water industry workers and contractors learn about their roles and responsibilities when working on or near water, wastewater and recycled water assets. These courses have been developed in partnership with the Queensland Water Directorate (qldwater). The NSW versions of these courses include references to NSW legislation, industry standards and guidelines. NSW Water Directorate members get free access to the courses. Please email info@waterdirectorate.asn.au to get your employees enrolled. Contractors will be charged $110 per course paid online upon registration.

Aqua Card

A simple overview of what contaminants are, the risks they pose, how they enter a drinking water system and the responsibilities of those working on drinking water infrastructure to reduce that risk.

Standard Price: $110.00
Water Directorate Member Price: $0

Brown Card

An overview of the importance of, and requirements for, maintaining public health, minimising environmental harm and general workplace health and safety when working in, on or near sewerage and recycled water assets.

Standard Price: $110.00
Water Directorate Member Price: $0

Work Safety Card

Learn about the Water Industry Life Saving Rules to protect your team from the most critical risks facing water industry workers.

Standard Price: $110.00
Water Directorate Member Price: $0

NSW Courses

WHS Awareness Module for Leaders

Aimed at Managers and Supervisors, this module provides an overview of the elements of the WHS Framework to be better placed to achieve a safe work environment.

Water Supply code of Australia (Regional NSW)

This course provides and overview of high-level content of the Codes and shows how local water utilities can integrate the Codes into their current systems.

Price: Coming soon
To express your interest please email info@waterdirectorate.asn.au.

Introduction Courses

Perfect for new starters, this series of courses provides an overview of calculations, chemistry, fluid flow, isolation, and monitoring relevant to water industry workers. These non-accredited courses are based on units of competency from the National Water Package, kindly shared by TRILITY Pty Ltd.