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Grease Trap Rules in Victoria: A Guide to Every Water Corporation

In Victoria, your grease trap rules don't come from your council or the EPA — they come from your local water corporation, through your trade waste agreement. This guide covers the rules that apply everywhere, then what each of Victoria's 15 urban water corporations says, with links to their official pages.

All 15 urban water corporations Linked to official sources Checked November 2026

The rules that apply across Victoria

Discharging trade waste to the sewer without a trade waste agreement or consent is an offence under section 178 of the Water Act 1989. Each water corporation sets the detail — trap size, pump-out frequency and record-keeping — in your agreement.

  • Get approval before you install or open. Most food businesses need a grease trap sized by the water corporation and installed by a licensed plumber. Your council Environmental Health Officer may also need to approve its location.
  • Only a licensed liquid waste transporter can empty it. You can't pump out a grease trap yourself.
  • Pump out on the schedule in your agreement. Melbourne's water corporations typically set every three to four months, and Barwon Water also requires grease build-up to stay below 75mm.
  • Keep proof of every pump-out. Water corporations can inspect your trap and ask for dockets, and several track pump-outs electronically.
  • Don't add chemicals without approval. Some corporations prohibit enzymes, solvents and odour-control products in grease traps.

This guide summarises each water corporation's published guidance as of November 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with your water corporation and follow your own agreement.

Melbourne water corporations

Greater Western Water

Melbourne CBD, inner and western suburbs, Melton, Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne

  • Grease traps typically need pumping out every three months, by an EPA-licensed liquid waste collector.
  • If the collector can't scan the trap's barcode, you must send the pump-out docket within two weeks.
  • Missed pump-outs trigger a non-compliance process, with costs passed on to you.

Official trade waste page — gww.com.au

South East Water

South-eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula

  • Calls a grease trap a food and oil interceptor; new units need a minimum 600 litre capacity unless approved otherwise.
  • Pump-outs are typically required every four months, by a licensed waste transporter, tracked through its Wastelog system.
  • Traps must not be installed without formal approval from its trade waste team.

Official trade waste page — southeastwater.com.au

Yarra Valley Water

Northern and eastern suburbs and the Yarra Valley

  • Most retail food businesses need a grease trap and a Trade Waste Agreement.
  • You must not empty a grease trap yourself — only EPA-approved waste transporters can.
  • Keep cleaning and pump-out receipts: inspections can include checking them. Under-sink units need written approval first.

Official trade waste page — yvw.com.au

Regional Victoria water corporations

Barwon Water

Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Colac

  • Cleaning must keep grease build-up below 75mm, and you must give proof of each clean-out.
  • Minimum trap size is 600 litres with one hour's retention, unless a Trade Waste Officer agrees otherwise.
  • Solvents, enzymes, cultures and odour-control agents are prohibited in grease traps unless approved.

Official trade waste page — barwonwater.vic.gov.au

Central Highlands Water

Ballarat, Daylesford, Creswick, Maryborough and surrounding towns

  • Category 1, 2 and 3 food premises need a grease trap and a Trade Waste Agreement — even a cafe selling coffee and cake can be a registered food premises.
  • Publishes a grease trap sizing guide based on your kitchen fixtures.
  • Traps must be maintained under the conditions of your agreement.

Official trade waste page — chw.net.au

Coliban Water

Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Heathcote and Echuca

  • New interceptors need a minimum 600 litre capacity unless approved otherwise.
  • Your council Environmental Health Officer must approve the location before installation.
  • Your consent sets a minimum clean-out frequency; the entire contents must be pumped out by a licensed collector.

Official trade waste page — coliban.com.au

Goulburn Valley Water

Shepparton, Mooroopna, Seymour, Kyabram and Cobram

  • General guidance is a pump-out every three months, with your actual schedule set in your consent.
  • Servicing is tracked in its WasteID system — a service that isn't recorded there counts as not done.
  • Cleaning must be done by an EPA-licensed waste collector.

Official trade waste page — gvwater.vic.gov.au

North East Water

Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla, Bright and Yarrawonga

  • Food premises usually need a pre-treatment device such as a grease trap.
  • Trade waste equipment must be regularly maintained, with service records available on request.
  • A correctly sized and cleaned grease trap can lower your risk rating — and your annual fee.

Official trade waste page — newater.com.au

Lower Murray Water

Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang

  • Food businesses producing trade waste must install a grease trap; an undersized unit may need upgrading.
  • It is illegal to empty a grease trap yourself — a licensed liquid waste business must do it.
  • Tell its Trade Waste Officer if you sell or close, as charges continue until it's notified.

Official trade waste page — lmw.vic.gov.au

GWMWater

Horsham, Stawell and the Wimmera–Mallee

  • Category 1 and 2 businesses need a Consent to Discharge, and generally a grease trap installed before it's issued.
  • Restaurant traps are sized by seating capacity — for example, 1–38 seats need at least 600 litres.

Official trade waste page — gwmwater.org.au

Wannon Water

Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Hamilton and Portland

  • Publishes minimum sizes by business type — for example, 1100 litres for a small restaurant.
  • Devices must be maintained by a certified liquid waste contractor on the schedule in your agreement, and it audits maintenance.

Official trade waste page — wannonwater.com.au

Gippsland Water

Traralgon, Morwell, Moe, Warragul and Sale

  • Businesses discharging to sewer need a Trade Waste Agreement and must regularly pump grease and oil from their interceptors.
  • Grease trap waste is a reportable priority waste and must be tracked through the EPA's Waste Tracker.

Official trade waste page — gippswater.com.au

East Gippsland Water

Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Orbost

  • Discharging trade waste without an agreement or consent is an offence under the Water Act 1989.
  • Trade waste charges don't include the cost of pumping out your trap; the application asks for your contractor and cleaning frequency.

Official trade waste page — egwater.vic.gov.au

South Gippsland Water

Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Leongatha, Korumburra and Foster

  • You need an agreement before discharging trade waste, and pre-treatment is usually required.
  • Equipment must be installed by a registered plumber.

Official trade waste page — sgwater.com.au

Westernport Water

Phillip Island and San Remo

  • Owners are responsible for regular pump-outs by an EPA-licensed transporter.
  • It can arrange a contractor for minor commercial greasy waste, or you can arrange your own and provide evidence.

Official trade waste page — westernportwater.com.au

Common questions

Can I clean my own grease trap in Victoria?

No. Grease trap waste must be removed by a licensed liquid waste transporter. Yarra Valley Water says you must not empty a grease trap yourself, and Lower Murray Water says it is illegal to do so.

How often does a grease trap need to be pumped out in Melbourne?

Your trade waste agreement or consent sets the frequency. As a guide, Greater Western Water says traps typically need pumping out every three months, and South East Water typically requires every four months. Busy kitchens may need it more often.

Who do I apply to for grease trap approval?

Your local water corporation — not your council or the EPA. Find yours in the list above. Your council Environmental Health Officer may also need to approve the trap's location.

Does a cafe need a grease trap?

Usually, yes. Yarra Valley Water says most retail food businesses need one, and Central Highlands Water notes that even a cafe selling coffee and cake can be classed as a registered food premises. Check with your water corporation before you open.

Can I put enzymes or chemicals in my grease trap?

Check your agreement first. Barwon Water, for example, prohibits solvents, enzymes, cultures and odour-control agents in grease traps unless it has specifically approved them.

What records should I keep?

Keep every pump-out docket or receipt. Water corporations can inspect your trap and ask for proof of cleaning, and some — like South East Water and Goulburn Valley Water — track pump-outs electronically, so use a contractor who records them properly.

Need your grease trap pumped out?

Our grease trap cleaning service covers pump-outs and drain pit clean-outs for commercial kitchens across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, with waste disposal documentation after every job. We can book it on the same visit as your canopy and exhaust clean.

Looking after the rest of your kitchen's compliance? Use our free AS1851 kitchen exhaust checklist.

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