Cooling tower systems

The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (the Act) requires the owner of the land on which there is a cooling tower system to develop a risk management plan (RMP) to control Legionella growth in cooling towers.

The Act requires all cooling tower systems to be registered with the Department of Health (department) and must be audited annually by an independent auditor.

A penalty applies if you do not register a cooling tower system, develop a RMP and have the RMP audited every year.

Cooling tower systems – registration and notification forms

Information and forms to apply for registration, notify for change of details or notify the decommissioning of a cooling tower system.

Cooling tower systems – registration fees and refunds

A list of prescribed fees for registration of cooling tower systems and information and form for refunds.

Guide to developing cooling tower Risk Management Plans

Information and template to develop risk management plans to control Legionella growth in cooling tower systems.

Auditing the cooling tower risk management plan

The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires the risk management plan (RMP) be independently audited by an approved auditor every year.

Recycled water and cooling tower systems

With appropriate management controls, alternative water sources can be used to supply or supplement cooling tower systems.

Reviewed 16 April 2025

Health.vic

Contact details

Legionella team

legionella@health.vic.gov.au