What is a duly qualified person or DQP?
A duly qualified person (DQP) is a person with the qualifications, skills or experience, as recognised under the regulation, to carry out specific tasks related to metering equipment.
DQPs play a critical role in the implementation of the non-urban metering rollout. Following the non-urban metering review, new initiatives have been introduced to enhance training and support for installers. One of these initiatives, the DQP Concierge Program, operated by WaterNSW, offers personalised support and step-by-step guidance through the process of site commissioning and validation.
Regulatory changes introduced in 2025 have expanded the scope of DQPs to meet consumer demand and accommodate various metering tasks.
How can I become a certified professional?
To become a DQP, individuals can choose one of two qualification pathways:
- Existing CMI training: Open to everyone, this pathway involves completing a comprehensive training program, which has been improved and shortened. It covers all aspects of metering, including
NSW-specific information on telemetry installation and data systems. To find out more about the latest CMI training – please visit Irrigation Australia. - Competency-based pathway: Currently in development, this pathway is designed for individuals with relevant trade skills, such as plumbers and electricians. It involves a shorter program that recognises their existing expertise. More details about this training course and registration will be available once finalised.
DQPs responsible for metering tasks
Additional skilled professions are now eligible to perform metering activities for closed conduit and open channel works. Professionals in these fields are encouraged to reach out to Irrigation Australia (IAL) to explore the most suitable pathway to becoming a DQP.
To learn more about who qualifies to become a DQP, refer below.
Closed conduit meters (full pipes, pumps and bores)
Certified meter installers (CMIs) remain responsible for most activities related to closed conduit meters (full pipe, pump or bore) including installation, maintenance, repairs, replacement, revalidation, and accuracy testing.
Meter installers are currently trained and certified by Irrigation Australia, who also oversees continuous professional development and professional conduct. Anyone with an aptitude for metering and irrigation can become a CMI by completing the CMI course provided by IAL. To learn how to become a certified meter installer, visit Irrigation Australia’s website.
Install, validate, maintain, repair or replace meter
Certified Meter Installer
or
Other recognised professionals
- Hydrographer
- Engineer
- Instrumentation specialist
- Irrigation technician
- Closed conduit meter manufacturer
- Fitter-welder
- Plumber
- Trainee under the direct supervision of a duly qualified person specified for the work but not specified for making certifications.
Install, maintain, repair or replace LIDÂ
Certified Meter Installer
or
Other recognised professionals:
- Hydrographer
- Electrician
- Engineer
- Instrumentation specialist
- Irrigation technician
- Local intelligence device manufacturer
- Telecommunications technician
- Trainee under the direct supervision of a duly qualified person specified for the work but not specified for making certifications.
On-farm accuracy testing (volumetric or simulated)Â
Certified Meter Installer (with expertise in intrusive and non-intrusive flow measurement testing)
(select)
or
Other recognised professionals:
- Closed conduit meter manufacturer
- Engineer
- Hydrographer
- Plumber
- Trainee under the direct supervision of a duly qualified person specified for the work but not specified for making certifications.
Open channel meters (partially filled pipes, channels, flumes, weirs, regulators)
Hydrographers remain responsible for most activities related to open channel meters (partially filled pipes, channels, flumes, weirs and regulators) including installation, maintenance, repairs, replacement, revalidation, and accuracy testing.
The Australian Hydrographers Association trains, certifies and oversees the professional conduct of certified practising hydrographers.
To learn how to become a certified practising hydrographer, visit Australian Hydrographers Association.
Install, validate, maintain, repair or replaceÂ
Hydrographer
or
Other recognised professional
- Engineer for open channels
- Open channel meter manufacturer
- Trainee under the direct supervision of a duly qualified person specified for the work but not specified for making certifications.
On-farm accuracy testing (volumetric or simulated)
Hydrographer
or
Other recognised professional
- Engineer for open channels
- Open channel meter manufacturer
- Trainee under the direct supervision of a duly qualified person specified for the work but not specified for making certifications.
Definitions of DQPs
Find DQP definitions under the regulation here.
DefinitionsÂ
| DQP | Definition |
|---|---|
| Closed conduit meter manufacturer | (a) employed by a business that manufacturers or supplies manufacturer one or more pattern approved meters, and (b) holds a position within the business that is recognised as having the technical capacity and experience required to install the pattern approved meters that are distributed by the business. |
| Electrician | (a) holds a current licence with NSW Fair Trading in the electrical field, and (b) holds a contractor licence, qualified supervisor certificate or endorsed contractor licence in accordance with the Home Building Act 1989. |
| Engineer | (a) registered as a professional engineer with NSW Fair Trading in one of the following areas— (i) civil engineering (ii) electrical engineering (iii) mechanical engineering (iv) structural engineering, or (b) registered on the National Engineering Register with Engineers Australia in one of the following areas— (i) civil engineering (ii) construction (iii) electrical engineering (iv) environmental engineering (v) information, telecommunications and electronic engineering (vi) mechanical engineering (vii) mechatronics engineering. |
| Engineer for open channels | registered on the National Engineering Register with Engineers Australia in civil engineering or environmental engineering. |
| Fitter-welder | (a) Certificate III in Engineering–Mechanical Trade, or (b) Certificate IV in Engineering (Welding). |
| Hydrographer | (a) Certificate III in Water Industry Operations, or (b) Diploma of Water Industry Operations, or (c) recognised by the Australian Hydrographers Association as a Certified Practising Hydrographer or Certified Associate Hydrographer. |
| Instrumentation specialist | (a) Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control, or (b) Certificate IV in Electrical–Instrumentation. |
| Irrigation technician | (a) Certificate III in Irrigation Technology, or (b) Certificate IV in Irrigation Management, or (c) a vocational education and training qualification issued by a registered training organisation of at least Certificate II level or greater in irrigation technology, irrigation technician or irrigation management. |
| Local intelligence device manufacturer | (a) employed by a business that manufactures or supplies one or more of the local intelligence devices that are published on the Department’s website by the Minister, and (b) holds a position within the business that is recognised as having the technical capability and experience required to install the local intelligence devices distributed by the business. |
| Meter installer | (a) completion of a NSW meter installer course, specified by the Minister, or (b) holds a current certification as a certified meter installer issued by a registered training organisation (such as Irrigation Australia Ltd). |
| Open channel meter manufacturer | (a) employed by a business that manufactures or supplies one or more open channel meters, and (b) holds a position within the business that is recognised as having the technical capability and experience required to install the open channel meters the company distributes. |
| Plumber | (a) holds a current licence with NSW Fair Trading in the area of plumbing or water plumbing or water plumbing–urban irrigation or draining work, and (b) holds a contractor licence or qualified supervisor certificate or endorsed contractor licence in accordance with the Home Building Act 1989. |
| Telecommunications technician | (a) Certificate III in Electronics and Communications, or (b) Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control, or (c) Diploma in Electronics and Communications Engineering, or (d) another qualification with at least Certificate II level or greater in radio communications or electronic communications that is issued by a registered training organisation. |
DQP Resources
The DQP Portal
The DQP Portal, a web-based tool hosted by WaterNSW, has been redesigned to streamline the registration and validation of sites. It enables DQPs to:
- ensure LIDs are properly configured and linked to the correct water licensing information
- submit documentation to the Minister confirming that metering equipment has been properly installed on behalf of their client
- record the steps taken to order, install and validate metering equipment for their client.
More information on system improvements and additional DQP resources, including the personalised DQP Concierge Service and extra training materials visit the WaterNSW website or contact the WaterNSW customer helpline at 1300 662 077.
Telemetry coverage check
The department has developed an online telemetry coverage tool to enable DQPs and water users to identify whether a meter site is within network coverage. The telemetry coverage report is generated by querying the three nearest Telstra towers with 4G NB-IoT or LTE Cat M1 networks to the meter. It includes:
- Property Details – based on the information you entered
- General View – shows overall telemetry coverage from the nearest towers
- Detailed View – zooms in on the meter site for a clearer coverage view
- Elevation Profile – shows the line-of-sight path to the nearest towers, highlighting obstacles (a raised antenna may help—consult your DQP)
Note:
- This report does not show mobile phone coverage, which may differ.
- It does not meet WCAG accessibility standards. For assistance, contact 1300 081 047 or water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Telemetry exemption
The Minister has granted an exemption for works that need telemetry but cannot connect due to lack of network coverage. For a water user to qualify for an exemption, the department must be notified using the telemetry exemption notification form (PDF, 138.17 KB), confirming the site is in a blackspot.
This exemption only applies to works that cannot physically meet telemetry requirements. However, it remains a requirement for the water user to install a Local Intelligence Device (LID) without telemetry capability.
For more information on the process, please visit the telemetry exemption and application site.
For questions about the non-urban metering framework please email: water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Document library and interactive tools
Current key documents and toolsÂ
Documents:
- Non-urban water meters conforming to AS4747 (Cth DCCEEW Revised July 2024)
- Market engagement policy for metering and telemetry – March 2021 (PDF, 593.52 KB)
- Data Acquisition Service Logged Data Format Guidelines – June 2020 (PDF, 246.73 KB)
- Data logging and telemetry specifications 2021 (PDF, 1900.85 KB)
- Maintenance Specifications 2019 (PDF, 147.15 KB)
- Portable Pumps Guideline (PDF, 553.41 KB)
- In-situ meter accuracy procedures guide – July 2022 (PDF, 1753.71 KB)
- A best-practice guide to installing, validating and maintaining non-urban water meters in NSW – July 2019 (PDF, 887.48 KB)
- Glossary of Terms – Non-urban water metering policy – June 2020 (PDF, 180.43 KB)
Tools:
Past documentsÂ
- Industry Guide – Works Requiring a Meter – June 2020 (PDF, 499.43 KB)
- NSW Non-urban metering policy – November 2020 (PDF, 648.4 KB)
- Frequently asked questions – Duly Qualified Persons – December 2021 (PDF, 194.47 KB)
- Non-urban water metering: conditions for water supply works – October 2022 (PDF, 279.84 KB)
Metering equipment required
A DQP must certify that work is fitted with the following three components.
| Components | Description |
|---|---|
| A pattern-approved meter installed and revalidated in accordance with the Australian Standard for non-urban water meters (AS4747) by a DQP. | The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water maintains a list of pattern-approved non-urban meters on the Non-urban water metering framework and guidelines webpage. A DQP must install pattern-approved meters in accordance with AS4747. AS4747 covers the design, installation and commissioning of metering systems. |
| A local intelligence device (LID) that records the water taken through your work and makes the data recorded available to government | LIDs must meet the technical specifications (PDF, 1900.85 KB) approved by the Minister. The department maintains a list of local intelligence devices that meet these specifications. |
| Tamper-evident seals that show if equipment has been interfered with |
Irrigation Australia Limited is responsible for supplying compliant tamper-evident seals.
Tamper-evident seals can only be installed or broken by a duly qualified person, such as a certified meter installer or by a WaterNSW or NRAR employee who is an authorised officer. |
New metering rules
| Works | Measurement requirements | Compliance date |
|---|---|---|
| All surface water pumps ≥500mm |
| Must already be compliant. |
| All works nominated by total entitlement ≥100ML, unless otherwise exempt1 |
| Inland water users must already be compliant. Coastal water users need to comply by 1 December 20262 |
| All works nominated by total entitlements of >15 and <100ML, unless otherwise exempt1 |
| Need to comply by 1 December 2027 or by the work approval renewal, whichever is later |
1. Groundwater bores less than 200 mm in diameter are exempt along with surface water pumps less than 100 mm in diameter.
2. Work approval holders with a pre-existing condition of MW2452-00001 should already an AS4747 meter installed.
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