What Is WELS Water Rating and Why It Matters When Buying Appliances
If you've shopped for a washing machine, dishwasher or tap fitting in Australia, you've seen the blue Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) star rating. Here's what it means, how to read it, and why it should factor into your appliance buying decision.
What Is WELS?
WELS is a mandatory Australian government scheme that rates the water efficiency of household products. It's regulated by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005. The scheme applies to:
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Showers
- Tap fittings
- Toilet fixtures
- Urinals
How the Rating System Works
WELS uses a star system from 0 to 6 stars:
- 0–1 stars: Below average water efficiency
- 2–3 stars: Average efficiency
- 4–5 stars: Good water efficiency
- 6 stars: Highest water efficiency
The label also shows the actual water consumption in litres per wash (for dishwashers and washing machines) or litres per minute (for showers and taps). This number is more useful than the stars alone — a 5-star 10kg washing machine might use more water per wash than a 4-star 7kg model simply due to drum size.
WELS Ratings for Washing Machines
Washing machines are rated by litres of water per kilogram of load. Front loaders are almost always more water-efficient than top loaders because they tumble clothes through a small amount of water rather than submerging them. A good front loader might use 50–70 litres per full wash; a top loader may use 100–140 litres.
In Sydney, water is priced around $3.00–$3.50 per 1,000 litres. The annual saving from a 5-star versus 2-star machine might be $20–$50 for a typical household — modest but meaningful over a 10-year lifespan.
WELS Ratings for Dishwashers
Dishwashers are rated by litres per wash cycle. Modern efficient dishwashers use 10–14 litres per wash. This is actually less than hand-washing the same load of dishes, which typically uses 15–30 litres. A 5-star dishwasher represents real water savings compared to hand-washing.
How WELS Affects Your Buying Decision
When comparing two appliances with similar prices, WELS rating is a useful tiebreaker. A higher star rating means lower running costs and a smaller environmental footprint. However, don't sacrifice capacity or features just for a higher WELS rating — a machine that's too small for your household and runs multiple cycles per day will use more water than a larger machine that runs once.
Find Energy and Water Efficient Appliances
Oceania Appliances stocks washing machines and dishwashers with strong WELS ratings at competitive prices. Free delivery across Sydney and 3–6 month warranty. Contact us to check current stock.