We are seeking expressions of interest for the delivery of this industry focused course.

About the course

The Wastewater Laboratory Course focuses on complex and routine analytical methods. This course aims to enhance knowledge and skills of routine and complex sampling and testing using standard methods associated with municipal wastewater processes for public health and environmental sustainability. This course will allow participants to understand the necessary interactions between various aspects of wastewater treatment processes. The “head to toe” of wastewater treatment processes will be covered through a wide range of testing methods relating to a large variety of treatment processes.

This short course is aimed at people working within the water industry such as operators, engineers, scientists or managers, who need to have a working knowledge and/or skills in operational control, troubleshooting and process optimisation of municipal wastewater treatment processes. This technical laboratory practical is unique in that it provides fundamental knowledge of the interaction between biochemical, microbiological, engineering design and operational aspects of a wide range of wastewater treatment processes.

Learning Outcomes

Participants of this program will be able to demonstrate: a deep understanding of wastewater treatment sampling and testing, operational and microbiological aspects; a practical laboratory demonstrating skills in examining and interpreting the microbial, chemical and physical attributes of water for successful operation and control of a municipal wastewater treatment process. Decision making, troubleshooting, problem solving and critical thinking skill have been developed for successful operational process control based on test results and interpretation.

Who might be interested?

    If you are:

  • Involved with the operation of a Wastewater treatment plant (“operators”)
  • Involved with the maintenance of a Wastewater treatment plant and require operational knowledge and skill (“mechanical fitters / electricians”)
  • Involved with engineering in a Wastewater treatment plant (“engineers / technical officers”)
  • Involved with the management of a Wastewater treatment plant (“supervisors / managers”)
  • Involved with Regulation / licensing of Wastewater treatment plants (Government Regulatory staff)
  • Upgrading of treatment plant processes requiring upskilling
  • A scientist working in laboratory analysing of Wastewater
  • A scientist researching Wastewater treatment processes
  • Studying environmental engineering or Wastewater course program
  • Completing vocational competency training in Wastewater operations (NWP) (AQF level Certificate III and/or IV)

Potential Course Details

This program will be held at Griffith University (Nathan Campus) over a two week period.

The overall structure of the program will consist of the following:

  • Lectures: 16 x 60 - 90 minutes
  • Laboratory: 11 x 90 - 120  minutes sessions
  • Fieldwork: 1 x 3/4 day in the field
  • Tutorial: 9 x 30 minute tutes
If you have any further questions, please contact:
Support Officer - Melody Christie m.christie@griffith.edu.au

Course Recognition

This course maps to Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (NWP30222 or equivalent) or Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations (NWP40120 or equivalent). This 2-week laboratory course is non-accredited (VET or Formal tertiary Credits) however it will fully map to the National Water Package unit of NWPGEN022 - Perform Laboratory Testing through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

The course will also partially map to NWPGEN021 - Sample and test wastewater (further workplace and other NWP conditional assessment would be required through your VET training provider). All participants who successfully complete the course are awarded a Griffith University Digital Badge in “Wastewater Treatment Laboratory Skills”

The topics covered within the 2-week laboratory course will provide foundational knowledge for various Wastewater Treatment Plant processes that are related to associated National Water training Package (NWP) units of competency. Course content will cover some aspects of the Elements and Performance Criteria from related NWP Units of Competency.

Register your interest now!

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Yes, I can attend a program commencing late 2024.
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For all enquiries please email:

Melody Christie // m.christie@griffith.edu.au