Article: What is wels and why the star rating matters
What is wels and why the star rating matters
The short version
WELS stands for the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme, an Australian Government program that rates how efficiently taps, showers, toilets and appliances use water. Every regulated product carries a label with a star rating and a flow rate, so you can compare products at a glance. More stars means less water used, which means lower water and energy bills over the life of the product. It is why every tap and shower we sell shows its WELS rating.
What the WELS label tells you
A WELS label has two key pieces of information. The star rating, shown at the top, lets you compare water efficiency quickly: the more stars, the more efficient the product. Below that sits the water consumption figure, which for taps and showers is the flow rate in litres per minute.
The rating scale runs from zero up to six stars. For quality tapware you will typically see ratings from around four to six stars, and every extra star represents a meaningful drop in the water flowing through the tap.
Why the star rating matters for your bills
Small differences in flow rate add up over the years. According to the Australian Government water rating figures, every one litre per minute you save trims close to 2,000 litres of water, and around $5.50, from a household budget each year.
Scaled up, the savings are real. Swapping an older tap that runs at 15 litres per minute for an efficient six star tap flowing at around four litres per minute can save roughly 20,000 litres of water and about $60 a year on water alone, before you count the energy saved by heating less of it. Choose well once, and the tap quietly pays you back for as long as it is installed.
Efficiency without the compromise
A common worry is that a water efficient tap will feel weak. In practice, well designed tapware maintains a satisfying flow by mixing air into the water through an aerator, so the stream feels full while using less. You get the same everyday experience, with less going down the drain.
WELS, WaterMark and buying with confidence
WELS works alongside WaterMark certification, which confirms a plumbing product is fit for purpose and safe to install. A plumbing product must hold WaterMark certification before it can be registered under WELS, and a licensed plumber will look for it before installing your tapware. Buying products that carry both is the simplest way to know you are getting the real thing.
Want to verify a product yourself? You can look up any registered product on the Australian Government WELS register at waterrating.gov.au. Every Cassini tap and shower displays its WELS star rating and flow rate on the product page, so you can compare before you buy.
Common questions
What is a good WELS star rating for a kitchen tap?
For everyday use, a rating of around four to six stars offers a strong balance of efficiency and flow. Six stars is the most efficient, using the least water, which suits anyone focused on cutting water use and bills.
Is the WELS label required by law?
Yes. Regulated products sold in Australia, including through online stores, must be registered and must display their water efficiency information. Labelling has been mandatory since 2006 under the national scheme.
Does a higher WELS rating mean weaker water flow?
Not in the way people expect. Efficient taps use an aerator to blend air into the water, so the flow still feels full while less water is used.
