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On-site sewage management systems

On-site sewage management (OSSM) systems refer to any system that treats wastewater and disposes of the effluent within the property. If you live in a house that is not connected to reticulated sewer, you will have an OSSM system.

OSSM systems involve the collection and treatment of wastewater, followed by disposal to an approved effluent disposal area. This disposal area could be:

  • surface or subsurface absorption
  • an irrigation system
  • a system which uses a holding well and is collected by a tanker.

If your system is not maintained and treated properly, there can be serious adverse impacts. Some of these include the spread of disease, bacteria, virus, and pathogens, and contamination of groundwater and surface water.

Approval to install, alter, and operate an OSSM system

NSW Health and local councils regulate OSSM systems, and Council must approve them before they're installed.

If you would like to install a new OSSM system on your property, or alter an existing system, you'll need to submit an Application to Install/Alter and Operate an On-site Sewage Management System.

You must also maintain your OSSM system, and ensure it's working well once installed.

Application and approval process

Council's flow chart outlines the major steps in the OSSM system application process:

Our On-site Sewage Management Code of Practice also explains the approvals process, and requirements to help you prepare your application:

OSSM applications

Under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 (the Regulation), Council must not approve the installation of certain sewage management facilities unless NSW Health have accredited them. These facilities include septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems, and composting toilets.

There are two ways you can submit an Application to Install/Alter and Operate an On-site Sewage Management System.

You can lodge a Section 68 application (OSSM) on the NSW Planning Portal as a separate application or as part of a Development Application (DA).

Prepare your supporting documents

There are various supporting documents you'll need to prepare and upload with your application. The Regulation outlines these documents. Some of these include:

1. Lodge your application on the NSW Planning Portal

Step 1: Prepare to upload your supporting documents

Once you have prepared your supporting documents, you'll need to save them as separate PDFs ready to upload with your application.

Make sure you have addressed all requirements in the application so you're not charged another portal service fee to re-submit.

Please note that fees paid through the ServiceNSW gateway may incur a surcharge.

Step 2: Lodge your application and supporting documents on the NSW Planning Portal

The Planning Portal will notify us that you have lodged your application. We'll then send you an invoice for the application fee.

Step 3: Pay your application fee

Once you receive the invoice, you'll need to pay the application fee. We will then assess your application. If we approve it, we'll provide you with a letter that includes any conditions that apply to these works.

2. Lodge by email or post

You'll need to pay the relevant fee at the time you lodge your application. The current fees are:

  • installation application: $394
  • modification: $108
  • unapproved existing tank: $590

OSSM system risk ratings

All OSSM systems are allocated a risk rating, which determines how often we'll inspect your system. If you have a sewage management system that has been operating for a while, there is an opportunity to downgrade your risk rating so inspections are not required as often. You can apply for a downgrade if your system is well maintained, and it meets these criteria:

  • No major defects (excluding desludging) have been identified for the past three inspections (high risk) or two inspections (medium risk).
  • The property has remained in the same ownership during these inspections.
  • The property is owner-occupied (not tenanted or holiday rented).
  • All inspection fees have been paid in full.
  • If the system is a pumpout system, there must be a documented history of regular pumpouts consistent with the system's approval to operate.

Apply to downgrade your OSSM risk rating

  • Submit your application by:
    • email: Council
      or
    • post: Public and environmental health team
      Eurobodalla Shire Council,
      PO Box 99 Moruya NSW 2537.

If your property is connected to Council’s pressure sewage scheme, or you're replacing an old septic system, you'll need to decommission the existing septic tank.

Our Decommission Declaration outlines the steps required to decommission your OSSM system, in line with NSW Health guidelines.

Apply to decommission your OSSM

  • Submit your application by:
    • email: Council
      or
    • post: Public and environmental health team
      Eurobodalla Shire Council,
      PO Box 99 Moruya NSW 2537.

More information

Contact us

If you need more information about on-site sewage management systems, please contact our public and environmental health team: