Waterwise rebates in Perth - what you can claim and how to claim it

Water Corporation runs Waterwise programs that put money back in your pocket for using water more efficiently. The biggest currently advertised is the Waterwise Irrigation Rebate, returning up to $200 when you upgrade your reticulation through an endorsed installer. Smaller offers cover water-efficient fittings, dual-flush toilets, and (intermittently) garden bores. This guide walks through what is on the Water Corporation Waterwise page as of May 2026, who qualifies, how to claim, and the common mistakes that get applications rejected.

Last verified: 28 May 2026. The Irrigation Rebate's current advertised expiry is 31 May 2026; Water Corporation typically renews these annually, but check the Waterwise offers page before booking, especially for installs after May.

At-a-glance rebate table

Rebate	Amount	What it covers	Status
Waterwise Irrigation Rebate	up to $200	Retic install or upgrade by endorsed installer including a smart controller	Active, current expiry 31 May 2026 - check renewal status
Garden Bore Rebate	check status	Bore conversion incentive	Historically paused; verify before commissioning
Showerhead Swap	free	Water-efficient shower swap	Active, year-round
Dual-flush toilet replacement	up to $400	Replacing pre-1993 single-flush	Active, year-round

The Irrigation Rebate covers the smart-controller portion of a qualifying retic install bundled with an endorsed installer's work, so for most homeowners doing a full upgrade this is the single rebate to claim. A standalone smart-controller-only program has appeared on the Waterwise pages from time to time but is not currently advertised separately as of May 2026.

Waterwise Irrigation Rebate (the big one)

Amount: up to $200 credited to your Water Corporation bill.

Eligibility:

• Perth metro plus Peel region residential customer
• Property must have a scheme water connection (bore-only properties have a separate path that still uses an endorsed installer)
• Installer must be on the Waterwise-endorsed list at the install date
• System must include a "smart" feature: a smart controller, drip irrigation, or rain shut-off

Application:

• Installer typically handles the paperwork as part of the quote
• Submit within 6 months of install
• Allow 6 to 8 weeks for the credit to appear on your bill (not a cheque; it is a bill credit)

Cooldown: one rebate per property every 5 years.

Find a Waterwise-endorsed installer in your suburb via the homepage lookup, or browse the full installer listing.

Smart controller eligibility (within the Irrigation Rebate)

The smart-controller hardware qualifies for the Irrigation Rebate's $200 credit when fitted as part of a retic upgrade by an endorsed installer. Water Corporation maintains a Waterwise-endorsed equipment list; controllers AU-stocked and historically listed include:

• Hunter Hydrawise series (HC, HPC, X2 with wifi module)
• Rain Bird ESP-TM2 with LNK2 wifi module
• Orbit B-hyve XR

The endorsed equipment list updates each year. Confirm your specific model is current on the Water Corp Waterwise page the week of your install. Note: Rachio is a popular controller in the US but is import-only in Australia with no local distribution as of May 2026; it is not on the AU endorsed equipment lists we have seen.

For the detailed comparison of which controllers earn their keep in Perth, see our smart controllers comparison.

Garden Bore Rebate

Status as of May 2026: historically up to $600 toward bore installation, but the program has been paused at various times since 2024 due to Gnangara Mound allocation pressure. Check Water Corp's current status each spring before commissioning a new bore.

When active, conditions were:

• Licensed bore driller required
• DWER notification mandatory
• Allocation status of your suburb determined eligibility
• Cannot stack with the Irrigation Rebate for the same install year (you pick one)

Even when the bore rebate itself is paused, you can still claim the Irrigation Rebate on the retic side of a bore conversion if you use an endorsed installer. See our bore water and iron staining guide for the full bore picture.

Other rebates worth knowing about

Showerhead swap (free, year-round)

Water Corporation will courier a water-efficient showerhead to your address at no cost. Apply via the Waterwise section of their website. The swap cuts shower water use 30 to 50 percent for older fittings.

Eligible: all residential customers, including renters with landlord permission.

Dual-flush toilet rebate (up to $400)

Only for replacing pre-1993 single-flush toilets with a current 4-star WELS-rated dual-flush unit.

• Tax invoice and a plumber's certificate are required
• Older established homes (Maylands, Subiaco, Inglewood pre-war stock, parts of Fremantle) are the most likely candidates
• One claim per property

Greywater diverter rebate (council-dependent)

Water Corporation does not run a greywater rebate, but some metro councils contribute toward approved diverter installations.

• City of Stirling, City of Joondalup and City of Melville have run programs intermittently
• Amounts typically $200 to $500
• Subject to plumbing approval and a Department of Health permit
• Check your local council each year

How to apply (the practical steps)

1. Confirm your installer is on the current Waterwise-endorsed list. The list updates monthly; check the week of your install booking, not just the week of quoting.
2. Confirm your hardware qualifies. The smart controller eligible model list changes annually.
3. Keep all receipts. Tax invoices, not estimates. Water Corp will reject estimates.
4. Have your installer fill in the installer-side of the application. Most endorsed installers do this routinely.
5. Submit online via Water Corp's MyAccount portal, or by mail if you prefer paper.
6. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for the credit to appear on your bill.

The credit appears as a line item on your next quarterly water bill labelled "Waterwise rebate." If you change accounts (e.g. move house) between install and credit, contact Water Corp early to redirect the credit.

Common reasons rebate applications get rejected

• Installer not on the current endorsed list at install date. Endorsement is checked at install date, not quote date. Verify the week of install.
• Hardware model not on the current eligible list. Water Corp updates the eligible smart controller list annually (typically June or July). A controller purchased before an update may slip off.
• Application submitted more than 6 months after install. Strict deadline.
• Property owned by a body corporate or commercial entity. Residential only.
• Previous rebate on same property within the 5-year window. One per property per 5 years.
• Missing tax invoice. Estimates and quotes are not accepted.
• Wrong applicant name. The Water Corp account holder must be the named applicant, not the homeowner if those differ.

Stacking rebates with other savings

• Federal energy rebates: don't usually overlap with water rebates (different agencies, different schemes). You can typically claim both if eligible.
• Bunnings, Reece or retailer cashback offers: independent of Water Corp; stack freely with the rebate.
• State Government grants: occasionally surface for vulnerable households via the Department of Communities. Ask your installer if any are current.
• Workers' compensation, NDIS, or pensioner concessions: some pensioner accounts qualify for the Water Corp pensioner rebate (a different program) on top of the Waterwise rebate. Check eligibility on the Water Corp website.

FAQ

Can I claim the rebate if I install retic myself? No. The rebate is conditional on a Waterwise-endorsed installer. DIY installs are not eligible.

How long does the rebate take to arrive? 6 to 8 weeks typically. It is a credit on your next Water Corp bill, not a separate payment.

I'm renting - can my landlord claim? Only the property owner can apply. Renters can show this guide to their landlord as a value-add: $200 back plus a higher-utility garden plus a depreciation deduction for the install cost.

I had retic put in 4 years ago and got the rebate. Can I claim again? Not until the 5-year cooldown passes. A smart controller swap might fall outside that depending on your last claim's classification; check with Water Corp before booking.

Does the rebate cover bore conversion? The retic side of a bore conversion qualifies if you use an endorsed installer. The bore itself qualifies only when the separate Garden Bore Rebate is active.

What if my installer wasn't endorsed when I booked but is now? The endorsement must be current at the install date. Booking date does not matter. If your installer's endorsement is pending, ask them to confirm the listing date before scheduling install.

Can I claim the rebate twice if I have two properties? Yes. The 5-year cooldown is per property, not per applicant. You can claim on each property you own, once every 5 years per property.

What counts as a "smart feature" for eligibility? Currently: a Waterwise-listed smart controller, drip irrigation on at least one zone, or a rain shut-off sensor wired to the controller. A bare mechanical timer with no other smart feature does not qualify.

Next steps

• Verify your installer's current endorsement status
• Confirm your hardware is on the current eligible list
• Keep all paperwork (tax invoices, installer details, hardware model numbers)
• Apply within 6 months of install
• Read the reticulation cost guide for the full pricing picture, and the smart controllers comparison to choose hardware

Find Waterwise-endorsed installers near you on the homepage suburb lookup.

External references: Water Corporation Waterwise rebates and incentives, Waterwise endorsed business search.