The Plumbing Code of Australia sets a minimum requirement for showerheads with a flowrate of not more than 9 litres per minute in new developments. This is equivalent to a WELS rating of 3 stars.
AS6400:2016 defines WELS ratings of showerheads based on their nominal flow rates and compliance with spray force and coverage tests. A showerhead with a nominal flowrate of not more than 7.5 litres per minute is rated WELS 4 stars if it complies with spray force and coverage tests.
BASIX users can nominate the specific flow rate of the 3-star showerheads selected for their development and receive the appropriate water savings for these selections. The choices available are:
- more than 7.5 litres per minute but not more than 9.0 litres per minute
- more than 6.0 but not more than 7.5 litres per minute
- more than 4.5 but not more than 6.0 litres per minute.
For 4-star showerheads, the following choices are available:
- more than 6.0 but not more than 7.5 litres per minute
- more than 4.5 but not more than 6.0 litres per minute.
Note: These flow rates will need to be certified during the approval process. If you are not sure of the flow rate of showerheads in your development you should select the least efficient flow rate (more than 7.5 litres per minute but not more than 9.0 litres per minute).