Septic Tank Installation prices in Busselton
This page sets no job price: no government source states what installing a septic tank costs, and a figure from a sales page would be the seller's number, not yours. It lists the State's two fees, the City's assessment time and the rules that bear on a quote, each linked to the page it comes from and dated 6 October 2026.
Call (08) 6311 4037Septic tank costs and rules check
The Western Australian rules and City of Busselton lines that can apply to a septic system, each with the government page it comes from and the date it was read. Whether they apply to you turns on whether deep sewer reaches your property and how much wastewater the system serves.
| Rule | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under the Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974, a local government approves an apparatus that serves a single dwelling or any other building producing not more than 540 litres of sewage per day; the Department of Health's form says local government approval alone is needed for those. Larger systems need the Chief Health Officer's approval as well.About septic approval | a septic system for a single dwelling or up to 540 litres a day | Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (WA), official version as at 1 July 2026 · read WA Department of Health: Application to construct or install an apparatus for the treatment of sewage (form and guidance) · read City of Busselton: Waste Water · read |
| The person who constructs or installs the apparatus must give the local government a notice as soon as the work is done; the local government then arranges an inspection by an authorised officer against the regulations and the approval, and grants the owner a permit to use the apparatus once satisfied and the fee is paid. Do not use the system before the permit.About septic approval | a newly built system | Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (WA), official version as at 1 July 2026 · read |
| The regulations say a person shall not cause or permit the construction of a septic tank closer than 1.2 m to the foundations of any building, or the boundary of any lot, unless otherwise approved. Ask the installer how the approved plan meets it. It also says no one shall build the foundations of a building closer than 1.2 m to an existing septic tank unless approved.About septic tank position | the position of a tank | Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (WA), official version as at 1 July 2026 · read |
| The regulations require the owner of premises connected to a sewer to decommission any apparatus on the premises, within 60 days of a material change in use or of every owner at the time of connection ceasing to be an owner (and before building work close to the apparatus, per the full text). The City of Busselton says the old septic system must be decommissioned when connecting to deep sewer.About connecting to sewer and decommissioning a tank | a property that is connected to deep sewer | Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (WA), official version as at 1 July 2026 · read City of Busselton: Waste Water · read |
| The regulations say a decommissioned apparatus is emptied in accordance with the liquid waste regulations (or regulation 46), a septic tank, aerobic treatment unit or greywater system is removed or, if that is not practicable, has its base broken up, and the apparatus is backfilled with clean fill.About connecting to sewer and decommissioning a tank | a tank that is taken out of use | Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Waste) Regulations 1974 (WA), official version as at 1 July 2026 · read |
| WA Consumer Protection says that when a consumer purchases a service, the provider guarantees it will be performed with due care and skill, will be fit for a particular purpose and will be provided within a reasonable time. Say what the system is for when you ask for the quote.About septic tank installation | any job | WA Consumer Protection: Consumer guarantees · read |
| The City of Busselton says properties in its area that do not have deep sewer are required to install onsite effluent systems. It says to contact the Water Corporation to find out whether deep sewer is available.About choosing a septic system | a property in the City of Busselton without deep sewer | City of Busselton: Waste Water · read |
| The City says a residential property using less than 540 litres a day must apply to the City to construct or install an apparatus, that the City must inspect the system before it can be used, and that it will complete its assessment within 21 days of receiving all documents and the application fee.About septic approval | a residential system under 540 litres a day | City of Busselton: Waste Water · read |
| Lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry before digging. It is free to lodge; in some instances, asset owners may charge to supply information.About septic tank installation | any job value | Before You Dig Australia, FAQs · read |
This lists each source's own lines as read; it is not legal advice, and it sets no job price.
What changes a quote
Whether deep sewer reaches the lot comes first: without it the City of Busselton requires an onsite system, and only the Water Corporation can say whether sewer is available. The kind of system is second, because the City says it depends on the scale of development, the volume of wastewater, the type of soil and the nearness of water bodies or groundwater, and the State's Planning for Water Guidelines (December 2025) expect secondary treatment with nutrient removal in sensitive water resource areas. Where the tank can sit is third: the regulations keep a septic tank 1.2 m from the foundations of any building and from the boundary of any lot unless otherwise approved. The paperwork is fourth, since approval comes before the work and a permit to use after it. Decommissioning an old tank is last, when a property later connects to sewer.
Fees a government body sets
The checker below lists each rule with its source and the date it was read. The State's regulations set two fees of A$118.00 in their Schedule 1, official version as at 1 July 2026: one for the application for approval and one for the grant of a permit to use. The City's own schedule of fees was not read for this site, so ask the City what else applies. No source read for this site sets a price for installing a septic tank, so ask the provider for a written quote and what it assumes about the lot.
Costs and fees by service
- Septic Tank Installation
- Septic Approval in Busselton
- Choosing a Septic System
- Where a Septic Tank Can Go
- Septic Plumbing and the Compliance Certificate
- Connecting to Sewer and Decommissioning a Tank
No price is shown for any service on this site, and this site sets none. The dollar figures in the checker are fees that the State sets. None is a price for your job.
Thanks — we have your enquiry. Someone will be in touch shortly. Prefer to talk now? Call (08) 6311 4037.
Last reviewed · Updated · First published