The Australian Water School FAQs page brings together answers to the most common questions about our courses, webinars, enrolment, access, certificates, and organisational opportunities. Whether you’re new to AWS or returning to continue your professional development, this guide helps you quickly find the information you need to make the most of your learning experience.
For our Terms and Conditions click here.
About AWS Training
1. What types of training are offered by the Australian Water School?
The Australian Water School delivers a wide range of training designed for professionals across the water sector. Our offerings include:
- Live training courses: interactive, instructor‑led sessions delivered in real time, featuring Q&A, group discussion, and practical demonstrations.
- On‑demand courses: self‑paced learning with access to recordings, resources, and activities you can complete anytime.
- Webinars: short, topical sessions led by industry experts, providing insights into emerging issues, tools, and best practice.
- Tailored organisational training: tailored programs developed to meet the specific needs, challenges, and goals of your organisation.
Together, these formats support flexible, accessible, and high‑quality professional development for individuals and teams across the water industry.
2. What is On-demand training?
On‑demand training allows you to access course content anytime and work through the material at your own pace. Instead of attending a scheduled live session, you can watch the recordings, explore the resources, and complete activities whenever it suits you.
Even though the training is self‑paced, you can still engage with presenters by asking questions and sharing ideas through the learning platform throughout your access period.
3. What’s included in a live course?
Each course includes a comprehensive set of learning resources and opportunities to support your professional development. Inclusions typically consist of:
- Presenter interaction — opportunities to ask questions and engage directly with the presenter during live sessions, or submit questions via the AWS Learning Platform.
- Session recordings — all live sessions are recorded and available for replay.
- Downloadable materials — PDF course manuals (where provided) can be downloaded for ongoing reference.
- Practical exercises — activities designed to help consolidate and apply your learning.
- Extended access — course recordings remain available for up to 30 days after the final live session for live courses, or up to 4 months for on‑demand courses.
4. Are Australian Water School courses accredited?
Australian Water School courses are not formally accredited; however, they are widely recognised across the water sector for their technical quality and practical relevance. Most courses provide CPD‑eligible hours, which you can self‑report to your professional association or employer. Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate that verifies your participation and the CPD hours earned, supporting your ongoing professional development.
5. Do I receive CPD points for AWS courses?
Yes — most Australian Water School courses are eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours with Engineers Australia under Type 2 guidelines. Each course lists the number of CPD hours you can claim, based on its duration and learning outcomes. After completing your training, you can use your certificate of completion to self‑report CPD to your professional association or employer.
International attendees can refer to the respective details on the website for claiming CPD points.
6. How do I know if a course is right for my skill level?
Each course page includes recommended prerequisites, learning outcomes, and target audience information. If you’re unsure, you can contact the AWS team for guidance on selecting the most suitable course.
Enrolment & Payment
7. How do I create an account on the AWS Learning Platform?
You can create an account by selecting Sign Up on the AWS Learning Platform login page. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email and can immediately enrol in courses or access your dashboard.
8. I’ve forgotten my password to the AWS Learning Platform — how can I reset it?
You can reset your password by selecting Forgot Password on the AWS Learning Platform login page. A reset link will be emailed to your registered address, allowing you to create a new password and regain access.
9. How do I pay for a course?
Option 1: PayPal (Preferred – Instant Access)
This is the quickest and easiest way to register. You don’t need a PayPal account — simply use your credit card via Guest Checkout for immediate course access.
Steps to pay via PayPal
- Find your course on the Australian Water School website.
- Select ‘Register’ and choose ‘Pay by Card’.
- Log in or sign up to the LMS.
- If you have a coupon code, apply it before checkout.
- Follow the PayPal Guest Checkout process using your credit card.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email and can start your course immediately.
- Invoices are available to download under ‘My Payments’ in the AWS Learning Platform.

Option 2: Invoice Request (AUD $50 Admin Fee Applies)
Ideal for group bookings or organisations requiring a formal invoice. Access is provided once payment is received.
Steps to pay request an invoice
- Find your course and select ‘Register’, then choose ‘Pay by Invoice’.
- Complete the invoice request form (include details for multiple attendees if needed).
- Choose your payment method:
a. Bank Transfer – Available for Australian attendees only.
b. PayPal Invoice – Available to all attendees. AWS staff will send a PayPal invoice link; international attendees can pay via credit card as a guest (no PayPal account required). - Submit the form. We’ll email your invoice.
- Once payment is received, attendees will be enrolled and notified.
Note for International Attendees:
International attendees must pay online via credit card using PayPal (Guest Checkout). Bank transfers are not accepted for international payments.
10. Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes — you can transfer your registration to another person at no additional cost. For live courses, transfers can be made up to five days before the course start date. For On‑demand courses, transfers can be arranged before the enrolment has been activated.
To request a transfer, email us at [email protected] with the new participant’s details. Please refer to our Terms for full conditions on course transfers.
11. What should I do if I need employer approval for the course?
AWS provides a template letter to help you request employer approval for your training. You can access the sample letter and additional tips on our website to support your application.
Accessing Your Course
12. How can I access the live training session?
You can access your live training session through the AWS Learning Platform. Once you’re enrolled, simply log in, open your course, and you’ll find the session link listed within the relevant module. The link becomes available ahead of the scheduled start time, allowing you to join directly from the platform without needing any additional software.
13. Can I access course recordings after the live session? What if I can’t attend?
Yes — if you’re enrolled in a live course, the session recordings will be made available to you through the AWS Learning Platform within 2 business days after the live session. If you’re unable to attend the live session, you can simply log in once the recording is uploaded and watch it at a time that suits you.
You also receive an additional 30 days of access after the final session, giving you continued access to all course recordings and resources. This ensures you won’t miss any of the content, even if you can’t join the live session on the day.
14. How can I access the session recordings for on‑demand training?
You can access all session recordings directly through the AWS Learning Platform. Each course is organised into sequential modules, and the recordings are included within the relevant module (Part) as you progress. Simply log in, open your course, and navigate through the modules to view the recordings at your own pace.
For the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Training Series, the password to course recordings is at the top of the page. Copy the password in yellow and input into ‘Enter password’ field to view the recording.
15. Are course materials available for download?
Yes, course materials are available for download during your access period for both live and On‑demand courses. Most courses include downloadable PDF manuals. Course video recordings, however, are not available to download and can be viewed only through the learning platform during your access period.
16. What happens if I do not complete the course within the access period or need additional time?
If you don’t complete the course within the allocated access period, your access will automatically expire. After this date, you will no longer be able to view the recordings, materials, or activities for live or On-demand courses. If you require additional time, you may be able to request an extension by paying the applicable extension fee. Please refer to our Terms for the extension policy details on how to extend your access.
17. How do I extend my course access?
You can extend your course access at any time by selecting one of our two extension options: 30 days or 90 days. See table below. Choose the option that best suits your needs and complete the checkout process. Once your extension is processed, your access will be updated, giving you additional time to complete your learning at your own pace.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, the 30‑day extension is best suited to our shorter 2–6 hour courses, while the 90‑day extension provides the ideal timeframe for our longer 16–24 hour courses.
30-day Course
Extension
AUD $110.00 (INC GST)
90-day Course
Extension
AUD $220.00 (INC GST)
18. How do I know when my course is about to expire?
You’ll receive a reminder email before your access period ends, giving you time to complete the course or arrange an extension if needed. You can also check your expiry date anytime through the AWS Learning Platform under your course dashboard.

19. What happens if a live course is postponed or rescheduled?
If a course is rescheduled, you’ll be notified by email and through the AWS Learning Platform. Updated course session details will appear in your course module.
Webinars
20. How can I register for a webinar?
To register, simply click Register on the webinar page and complete the Zoom registration form with your details. Once submitted, you’ll receive an email confirming your registration.
21. How can I attend a live webinar event?
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your unique Zoom join link. At the scheduled time, simply click the link to enter the live webinar. You can join from any device with an internet connection, and no Zoom account is required.
22. Are webinar recordings available?
Yes — AWS webinars are recorded and made available on our website under “Past Webinars” and on our YouTube channel, typically within five business days of the webinar event.
Certificates & CPD
23. Do I receive a certificate after completing the course?
Yes — all Australian Water School courses include a certificate of completion. Once you finish the required components of your live or on‑demand course, your certificate will be available to download from the AWS Learning Platform and can also be shared on LinkedIn.
24. Will I receive a certificate for attending a webinar?
Yes — if you attend the webinar live, you will receive a Certificate of Participation. Certificates are typically issued within five business days after the live webinar has concluded.
Refunds, Cancellations & Policies
25. What happens if AWS needs to cancel or change a live course?
We reserve the right to cancel or modify a course. If this occurs, you will be offered one of the following options:
(a) a full refund
(b) a credit note for future use
(c) a transfer to another course of equal value
We’ll always do our best to ensure you’re supported and have options that suit your needs.
26. What if I need to cancel my course registration?
- If you cancel at least five working days before the course begins, you will receive a refund minus a small administrative and transaction fee.
- If you cancel within four working days of the course start date, we’re unable to offer a refund. However, you may transfer your registration to a colleague — just provide us with their details.
27. Can I get a refund if I can’t attend?
Refunds are discretionary (refer to our Refund Policy under Terms). If you are unable to continue with your course, please submit a refund request in writing. Management will review your request on a case‑by‑case basis.
28. Can I share my course login with colleagues?
No — each enrolment is for individual use only. Sharing login details breaches platform terms and may affect access to certificates and CPD eligibility.
Technical Support & Communication
29. How do I contact AWS if I have issues or questions?
If you need help at any stage, you can reach the Australian Water School team by emailing [email protected]. We’re here to support you with course access, technical issues, registration questions, or anything else you need along the way.
30. How does AWS protect my personal information?
As a business unit of WaterRA, AWS follows WaterRA’s Privacy Policy to ensure your personal information is protected. For full details, please refer to the Privacy Policy on our website. To help safeguard your privacy, please avoid sharing personal or sensitive information.
31. Can my LMS account be deactivated?
Yes — we reserve the right to deactivate your account on the AWS Learning Platform and your access to all registered courses if you cannot provide proof of payment before the course begins.
User accounts may also be automatically deactivated if no course fees have been paid within two weeks of sign‑up, or if there has been no login activity for six months.
32. What should I do if I’m not receiving AWS emails?
If you’re not receiving emails, check your spam or junk folder and mark AWS messages as safe. You may also need to whitelist our domain or contact your IT team if you’re using a work email address.
33. How do I update my personal or contact details?
You can update your details by logging into the AWS Learning Platform and navigating to your My info settings. Any changes you make will apply to future course communications.

Tailored Training & Sponsorship Opportunities
34. Does the Australian Water School provide tailored training for organisations?
Yes — the Australian Water School offers tailored training solutions designed to meet the specific needs of organisations across the water sector. Whether you’re looking to upskill your team, address a particular technical challenge, or deliver training aligned with your strategic goals, our team can work with you to develop a tailored program.
We can adapt existing courses or create bespoke training that fits your organisation’s context, delivery preferences, and learning outcomes. To explore customised training options, simply contact the AWS team ([email protected]) and we’ll help shape a solution that supports your workforce and objectives.
35. How can my organisation become an Australian Water School webinar sponsor?
Organisations can become Australian Water School webinar sponsors by partnering with us to support high‑quality, accessible water sector training. Our Sponsorship Prospectus outlines a range of opportunities designed to elevate your brand, expand your reach, and connect you with our global water community.
If you’re interested in a tailored sponsorship or targeted promotional campaign, you can contact the AWS team directly at [email protected] to discuss options that best align with your organisation’s goals.