Welcome to the Australian Water School learning platform

Home of demand driven, industry designed training for the global water sector


About us


The home of industry-designed and demand-driven training to up-skill and share knowledge across water industry professionals globally.

AWS, a business unit of WaterRA, delivers high-calibre online training, focusing on significant, innovative or critical advances in water science, technology and management. We deliver free webinars, live training courses and on-demand training, providing a learning and discussion forum for the water industry globally.

All of our training courses—designed by industry for the industry — cater to professionals from a wide variety of roles within the water sector including science, engineering, technical, planning, policy, environment, agriculture, mining and asset management.

Check out our training plus subscribe to receive weekly updates for upcoming Free Webinars and training!

Free webinars


Designed to provide insights into the water sector. 

See upcoming webinars by clicking below...


Live training


Led by industry experts in real-time sessions, our live online training courses provide a platform for active engagement. Interact with instructors and fellow participants, pose questions, and collaborate on hands-on exercises to enhance your practical skills.

On-demand training


With no fixed schedule, you have the flexibility to choose from a diverse range of topics designed to meet your learning needs. Accessible at any time, these courses feature pre-recorded content delivered by industry experts in the water sector. 

Premium Webinars


Our Premium Webinars are a collection of specially curated leading-edge topics presented by industry experts ad thought leaders. 

Mastering Mesh Data with QGIS

Live online course


Session 2 today? Register now and join us live - catch up via the recordings at a later time.


Do you want to learn how to work with mesh data in QGIS? Join the upcoming course Mastering Mesh Data with hashtagQGIS taught by Hans van der Kwast and Kurt Menke.

Mesh data is fundamental to hydrologic, hydraulic, oceanographic, meteorological, and environmental modelling. But working with meshed datasets can be complex - until now!

Join us to gain expertise in mesh data formats, including NetCDF, using QGIS. Learn to create, edit, and apply mesh data, unlocking powerful geospatial analysis and visualisation tools.

This course is perfect for water industry modeller and GIS professionals working with a range of modelling platforms to enhance your skills and streamline your workflows.

What you’ll learn:
- QGIS for Mesh Data: Unlock the full potential of QGIS to analyse, visualise, and animate your mesh data with precision.
-  Real-World Applications: Mesh data for hydrologic, hydraulic, oceanographic, meteorological, and environmental modelling.
-  Diverse Modelling Platforms: Apply meshing tools to HEC-RAS 2025, TUFLOW, OpenFOAM, and any other modelling platforms.

Session 2 today? Register now and join us live - catch up via the recordings at a later time.


Do you want to learn how to work with mesh data in QGIS? Join the upcoming course Mastering Mesh Data with hashtagQGIS taught by Hans van der Kwast and Kurt Menke.

Mesh data is fundamental to hydrologic, hydraulic, oceanographic, meteorological, and environmental modelling. But working with meshed datasets can be complex - until now!

Join us to gain expertise in mesh data formats, including NetCDF, using QGIS. Learn to create, edit, and apply mesh data, unlocking powerful geospatial analysis and visualisation tools.

This course is perfect for water industry modeller and GIS professionals working with a range of modelling platforms to enhance your skills and streamline your workflows.

What you’ll learn:
- QGIS for Mesh Data: Unlock the full potential of QGIS to analyse, visualise, and animate your mesh data with precision.
-  Real-World Applications: Mesh data for hydrologic, hydraulic, oceanographic, meteorological, and environmental modelling.
-  Diverse Modelling Platforms: Apply meshing tools to HEC-RAS 2025, TUFLOW, OpenFOAM, and any other modelling platforms.


Pipe networks in HEC-RAS

On-demand course - Take control of your learning — anytime, anywhere.


Register now and start your training today!


This two session course will explore pipe network modelling capabilities in the newly released HEC-RAS Version 6.7. Attendees will work with a pre-built 2D overland flow model as the foundation for their workshop exercise. During the sessions, attendees will construct a subsurface pipe network, assigning geometric and geospatial attributes to nodes and conduits.


The course covers essential techniques for importing data and selecting appropriate modelling parameters for pipe networks. Upon completing the exercise, attendees will learn how to interpret and troubleshoot model results effectively.


Additionally, the course includes resources for those interested in exploring the new meshing options available in HEC-RAS 2025.


Ideal for engineers, water modellers, and professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in HEC-RAS, this course delivers practical skills and insights to elevate your modelling capabilities.

Register now and start your training today!


This two session course will explore pipe network modelling capabilities in the newly released HEC-RAS Version 6.7. Attendees will work with a pre-built 2D overland flow model as the foundation for their workshop exercise. During the sessions, attendees will construct a subsurface pipe network, assigning geometric and geospatial attributes to nodes and conduits.


The course covers essential techniques for importing data and selecting appropriate modelling parameters for pipe networks. Upon completing the exercise, attendees will learn how to interpret and troubleshoot model results effectively.


Additionally, the course includes resources for those interested in exploring the new meshing options available in HEC-RAS 2025.


Ideal for engineers, water modellers, and professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in HEC-RAS, this course delivers practical skills and insights to elevate your modelling capabilities.


eDNA: a hands-on approach to environmental monitoring

Live online course


Session 2, 10th April 2025.

Discover the revolutionary world of environmental DNA (eDNA) and how it can be a game-changer in aquatic research.

This practical, hands-on course will kickstart your skills and ability to design effective eDNA surveys, interpret eDNA data from qPCR and metabarcoding analyses, and analyse aquatic biodiversity.

Learn to accurately understand the outputs and principles demonstrated through case studies, calculate species accumulation curves, and receive bonus materials including a vertebrate biodiversity assessment for a local waterway site of choice.

Join us for session 2 on 10th April and unlock the secrets of aquatic ecosystems using eDNA.

Session 2, 10th April 2025.

Discover the revolutionary world of environmental DNA (eDNA) and how it can be a game-changer in aquatic research.

This practical, hands-on course will kickstart your skills and ability to design effective eDNA surveys, interpret eDNA data from qPCR and metabarcoding analyses, and analyse aquatic biodiversity.

Learn to accurately understand the outputs and principles demonstrated through case studies, calculate species accumulation curves, and receive bonus materials including a vertebrate biodiversity assessment for a local waterway site of choice.

Join us for session 2 on 10th April and unlock the secrets of aquatic ecosystems using eDNA.

Adapting Urban Catchments to Climate Change with ARR Updates

Live online Premium Webinar


Join us for a 2-hour Premium Webinar on the latest updates to the Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) Guidelines, version 4.2, which include flood risk management and infrastructure planning in the face of climate change.


Expert presenters will provide actionable insights on integrating climate science into drainage design, urban planning, and infrastructure development, with a focus on small urban catchments. Learn how to assess and adapt to escalating flood risks, manage nuisance flooding, and select the right climate scenarios for your projects.


Discover practical tools like WMAwater's Climate Change Calculator to simplify flood risk assessments. This session is a must for engineers, urban planners, and infrastructure managers looking to future-proof their work and build resilient, climate-adapted solutions.

Join us for a 2-hour Premium Webinar on the latest updates to the Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) Guidelines, version 4.2, which include flood risk management and infrastructure planning in the face of climate change.


Expert presenters will provide actionable insights on integrating climate science into drainage design, urban planning, and infrastructure development, with a focus on small urban catchments. Learn how to assess and adapt to escalating flood risks, manage nuisance flooding, and select the right climate scenarios for your projects.


Discover practical tools like WMAwater's Climate Change Calculator to simplify flood risk assessments. This session is a must for engineers, urban planners, and infrastructure managers looking to future-proof their work and build resilient, climate-adapted solutions.