Do I need approval?
Usually exempt
Building
No building approval is needed if the tank is under 10 m² in area, under 3.6 m in diameter, under 2.4 m high and under 5 m long (Building Regulation 2021). Sunshine Coast Council
Check
Cyclone areas
In tropical cyclone areas (Wind Region C) a building approval may be required for a tank of any size. Business Queensland
Plumber
Plumbing
Voluntary tanks need no plumbing approval, but a plumber must lodge a notifiable work form (Form 4) if tank water is used inside an existing home. Toowoomba requires tanks on new houses on lots over 250 m². Housing and Public Works, Business Queensland
Bushfire water
We have not loaded a statewide static water table for Queensland. Fire water requirements come from your council, development conditions or fire service.
Work out your lotNew homes and renovations
Tanks are not required statewide on new homes. Councils can opt in; Toowoomba has required tanks on new houses on lots over 250 m² since 1 September 2014. Business Queensland
What size works here
Bushman Tanks says a round tank or slimline from 1,000 to 5,000 L usually suits city blocks, and that rural properties often need round poly tanks up to 46,400 L or steel tanks. Bushman Tanks
Bushmans sells its OzPoly range only in North Queensland. Bushman Tanks
1,000 L3,000 L5,000 L10,000 L22,500 L46,400 L
Size a tank for QLDRebates
| Program | What | Until | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livingstone Shire Council Declared water service area | $250 for a stand-alone tank, $500 for a tank connected to two indoor uses. Minimum 5,000 L; apply within three months of purchase. | No end date stated | Open |
| Rockhampton Regional Council Residential properties in the region | Up to $250 for a stand-alone tank, up to $500 for an integrated tank. | Amounts from the council application form; no end date stated | Open |
| Western Downs Regional Council Property owners in the region | $500 to $2,000 by capacity and water network; minimum 5,000 L. | Applications closed | Closed |
From council and water-utility pages, checked 13 Nov 2026. All rebates
Suppliers for QLD
| Supplier | Materials | Delivery area, as the supplier states it |
|---|---|---|
| Bushman Tanks | poly, steel | Region pages for Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and the NSW North Coast |
| The Tank Factory (Duraplas) | poly, steel | Region pages for Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tweed, Northern Rivers, Toowoomba |
| QTank | poly | Region page for Toowoomba |
| Kingspan Water Tanks | steel, poly | Australia-wide |
| National Poly Industries | poly | Region pages for Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast |
| Tankworld | poly | Region pages for Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, Toowoomba; prices by delivery zone |
| Pioneer Water Tanks | steel | Region pages for Brisbane and Gold Coast; dealers in QLD and NSW |
| Divine Water Tanks | not checked | Listed as a Pioneer distributor in Queensland |
| Select Water Tanks | not checked | Region pages for Gold Coast, Lismore and Northern Rivers, Toowoomba |
| Stronghold Tanks | poly | Region pages for Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast |
| Tank Shop | poly, steel | Poly: SE QLD and northern NSW. Aquaplate: SE QLD, NSW, VIC. Delivery map on each product page |
| Clark Tanks | poly | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria; also through Bunnings |
| Raven Tanks | not checked | Toowoomba |
| Australag stockist | poly | Pick-up in Toowoomba, freight on request. Sells Bushmans tanks |
| Coerco | poly, steel | Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory |
| Bunnings (special order) stockist | poly, steel | Stores Australia-wide; tanks are mostly special order |
Unclaimed listings from the suppliers' own pages, checked 13 Nov 2026. Supply QLD? Claim or add a listing.
Questions
Is a 22,500 L poly tank exempt from building approval?
Not for the four models we checked: each is over at least one limit. The exemption needs a tank under 3.6 m across, 2.4 m high and 10 m². Sunshine Coast Council Bushmans TXD5000 is 3.78 m across and 2.56 m tall; the Duraplas R22700 upright is 3.55 m across but 2.835 m tall; the R22700 squat is only 2.22 m tall but 4.18 m across. Australag, The Tank Factory Compare the models
Do I need a plumber?
A plumber must lodge a notifiable work form (Form 4) if tank water is used inside an existing home. Housing and Public Works