Australian Water Association

Government, Community & Emergency Services

Variety of Roles

Find Your Place in the Water Industry

The Australian water industry is a lot bigger and more varied than most people think. It’s not just about pipes and treatment plants. It’s about protecting the environment, designing smarter cities, using the latest technology, solving real-world problems, and making sure communities have safe, reliable water every day.

Whether you’re into science, technology, being outdoors, working with your hands, helping people, or finding creative solutions, there’s a career in water that could be a great fit.

One Industry. Hundreds of Career Paths.

The water industry needs all kinds of people with all kinds of skills.

From engineers and scientists to electricians, IT specialists, project managers, environmental experts, communicators and tradespeople, there’s no single path into the industry.

Whatever you’re passionate about, you could build a career that makes a real difference while helping deliver one of Australia’s most essential services.

You don’t need to fit a certain mould. Just find the work area that matches your interests and start exploring where it could take you.

Water Treatment & Operations

Keep Australia’s water safe

This is where drinking water is produced, wastewater is cleaned, and recycled water is created. Operators, technicians and scientists monitor treatment plants, test water quality, and ensure millions of Australians have safe, reliable water every day.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Like practical work
• Enjoy science and chemistry
• Want a job where every day is different

Typical careers

• Water Industry Operator
• Treatment Plant Operator
• Laboratory Technician
• Chemist
• Microbiologist

Environment & Sustainability

Protect rivers, wetlands and ecosystems

Water professionals work to improve river health, protect biodiversity, manage catchments, reduce environmental impacts, and prepare for climate change.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Love nature
• Care about sustainability
• Enjoy solving environmental challenges

Typical careers

• Environmental Scientist
• Catchment Management Officer
• Waterway Health Advisor
• Sustainability Specialist
• Environmental Engineer

Engineering & Infrastructure

Design the systems that keep Australia flowing

From dams and pipelines to treatment plants and pumping stations, engineers design, build and improve the infrastructure communities rely on every day.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Like maths and physics
• Enjoy building and designing
• Want to work on major projects

Typical careers

• Civil Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Process Engineer

Digital, Technology & Data

Power the future of water with technology

Modern water utilities use sensors, drones, artificial intelligence, digital twins, automation and big data to make smarter decisions and improve services.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Love computers and technology
• Enjoy coding or analysing data
• Like solving complex problems

Typical careers

• Data Analyst
• SCADA Specialist
• Digital Engineer
• Cyber Security Specialist
• GIS Analyst
• ICT Support Specialist

Science & Research

Discover new ways to solve tomorrow’s water challenges

Researchers develop new treatment technologies, improve water quality, study climate impacts and help shape the future of the industry.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Are curious
• Enjoy experiments and investigation
• Like finding answers to difficult questions

Typical careers

• Research Scientist
• Hydrologist
• Drinking Water Quality Scientist
• Research Engineer
• Innovation Specialist

Field Services & Trades

Build, repair and maintain essential infrastructure

These teams work across cities and regional Australia, installing pipelines, repairing water mains, maintaining pumps and responding to emergencies.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Prefer working outdoors
• Like practical, hands-on work
• Want an active career

Typical careers

• Plumber
• Mechanical Fitter
• Electrician
• Water Network Operator
• Maintenance Technician

Community & Customer Services

Help people understand and value water

Not every water career is technical. These roles involve working directly with customers, schools, communities and stakeholders to improve services and build trust.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Like working with people
• Have strong communication skills
• Want to make a positive community impact

Typical careers

• Customer Experience Officer
• Community Engagement Advisor
• Communications Specialist
• Education Officer
• Stakeholder Engagement Advisor

Business, Projects & Leadership

Keep organisations running

Behind every successful water utility are professionals managing finances, people, procurement, strategy, legal compliance and major projects.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Like organising people and projects
• Enjoy business and leadership
• Want a variety of career options

Typical careers

• Project Manager
• Finance Analyst
• Human Resources Advisor
• Procurement Specialist
• Risk Manager

Policy, Planning & Regulation

Help shape Australia’s water future

These professionals develop long-term water strategies, plan for population growth, manage water resources and help ensure Australia’s water systems remain resilient.

You might enjoy this if you:

• Like big-picture thinking
• Enjoy research and planning
• Want to influence future decisions

Typical careers

• Water Planner
• Policy Advisor
• Regulatory Officer
• Strategic Planner
• Water Resource Manager

Why the Water Industry

The Australian water industry is responsible for supplying safe drinking water, treating wastewater, managing stormwater, protecting our waterways, and planning for droughts, floods and climate change. In a country known for its extremes, from prolonged drought to intense rainfall, water management is not just important, it’s critical to our economy, public health, environment and community wellbeing.

This industry brings together engineers, scientists, environmental specialists, digital and data experts, planners, operators, project managers, community engagement professionals and many more. It combines cutting-edge technology, sustainability, climate resilience and community impact, all in one sector.

This means diverse career pathways, strong job stability, and the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges that directly affect people’s lives. Whether your background is engineering, science, business, IT, communications or environmental studies, there is a place for you in water.

Water isn’t just pipes and treatment plants. It’s what that keeps communities running, and the people working in this industry are the ones making sure it stays that way.

Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Turn your ideas into real-world impact

Have you ever wondered if your science project could help solve one of the world’s biggest challenges – and take you all the way to Stockholm?

The Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize (ASJWP) is a prestigious national competition for students aged 15 to 20 who have developed a water-related research project. It is your chance to turn an idea into real-world impact, present your work to water experts and represent Australia on an international stage. Whether your interests are science, engineering, technology, sustainability, society or the environment, your project could open the door to extraordinary experiences and opportunities.

What could you win?

• The Australian winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to attend Ozwater, Australia’s leading water conference.
• They also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent Australia at the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize during World Water Week.
• If they win the international prize, they receive US$15,000 and a glass trophy presented by Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden and their school receives US$5,000.

Students explore topics such as:

• Improving water quality
• Protecting rivers, lakes and oceans
• Water conservation
• Wastewater treatment
• Climate resilience
• Environmental monitoring
• New technologies and innovation
• Sustainable communities

Why enter? Because one project could take you further than you imagine

The Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize is much more than a science competition. It gives you the opportunity to investigate a challenge that matters, build confidence in your ideas and connect with people working on real water solutions. National finalists gain valuable exposure, while the Australian winner receives fully funded experiences at Ozwater in Brisbane and the international finals in Stockholm. By participating, you’ll develop valuable skills, including:

• Research and scientific investigation
• Critical and creative thinking
• Problem solving
• Data collection and analysis
• Communication and presentation
• Project management
• Working independently or as part of a team

These are the same skills used every day by water professionals, scientists and engineers.

Build a standout university, scholarship and career story

Completing and presenting an ASJWP project demonstrates initiative, curiosity, persistence and commitment – qualities valued by universities, scholarship providers and future employers. Whether you continue into STEM or another field, participating shows you can tackle complex problems and communicate your ideas with confidence.

Even if you don’t pursue a career in water, the experience builds skills that are valuable across almost every profession.

Represent Australia on the international stage

The Australian winner is invited to represent Australia at the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. There, students from more than 30 countries present their projects, exchange ideas and connect with leading water experts. It is a rare opportunity to represent Australia, build an international network and experience one of the world’s most important water events.

It’s an opportunity to:

• Represent Australia internationally
• Meet students from around the world
• Learn from global water experts
• Experience one of the world’s leading water events
• Build friendships and professional connections that can last a lifetime

Who can enter?

The competition is open to Australian high school students aged 15 to 20 who have completed a water-related project of environmental, scientific, social or technological importance. Projects may be completed individually or as part of a team, subject to the competition guidelines. 

Ready to take your project from the classroom to the world?

Explore the competition details, eligibility requirements, key dates and entry information and see where your idea could take you.

Find out more here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Australian Water Association, everyone is welcome. AWA is committed to building a culture where different perspectives are genuinely valued, and that shows up across their events, programs and content.

Gender Diversity

The Australian Water Association plays an active role in improving diversity and inclusion across the water sector, with a strong focus on gender equity. AWA’s various programs help ensure greater visibility of women and diverse voices in industry leadership and decision-making. As part of this commitment, AWA has introduced targets to achieve balanced representation on event panels and among keynote speakers, working towards 50/50 gender parity at major national events. AWA also hosts Women of Water networks and events across the country.

LGBTIQA+

Pride in Water is the network for LGBTIQA+ people and allies in the water sector. Its goal is to further LGBTIQA+ inclusion across the sector by helping build workplaces where LGBTIQA+ people feel safe, included, and valued. Memberships help fund sector-wide inclusion through events, training, and practical resources, saving organisations thousands of dollars while strengthening LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

“AWA is delighted to join Pride in Water, to nationally support our LGBTIQ+ members, customers and community. AWA will continue to enhance diversity and inclusion across the water sector as a part of our Strategy, so that we can continue to inspire and drive a sustainable water future.” — Corinne Cheeseman, CEO, Australian Water Association

First Nations Peoples

The Australian Water Association began its formal reconciliation journey in June 2023, launching its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, known as a Reflect RAP. This first stage focused on learning, listening and building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The next step is its Innovate RAP. This stage is about turning learning into action. It focuses on strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, making sure Traditional Owner voices are included in decision-making, and promoting Indigenous knowledge and perspectives within the water industry.

Through this process, AWA aims to help the water sector better respect, recognise and work alongside Australia’s First Nations peoples.

For Parents, Carers, and Educators

The Careers in Water program introduces students to the wide range of career pathways available in the Australian water industry. It is designed to help young people understand how water is managed, treated and delivered across Australia, and the many roles involved in keeping this essential service running.

The program showcases opportunities across engineering, science, environmental management, operations, planning, digital technology and business. It also highlights the skills and study pathways needed for these careers, helping students make informed decisions about future education and training.

Students get access to real-world examples, industry professionals and practical insights into how they can contribute to something that affects every single person in the country.

Awards

Resources