Welcome to the quick reference video showing How to submit and adjust summary returns in the Queensland Waste Data System.
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Upload and validate detailed data files
and
- Submit a summary return.
If you’re new to summary returns submissions, we recommend using the How to submit and adjust summary returns user guide which contains more detailed steps. This user guide can be found on the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation website by searching for ‘QWDS Training Materials.’
Now let’s begin.
We’ll start on the QWDS Home Page.
Under the Records section on the left side of your screen, select Summary Returns.
Next in the Summary Returns screen, your outstanding summary returns are automatically filtered by the Awaiting Return Status.
Select the reporting month link to upload your detailed data file. For this example, we’re using November 2025.
In the next screen, click the Manage Summary Return button.
In the Upload Detailed Data screen, you’ll see a Summary Return reference number has now been generated.
Under the Detailed Data section, check the box to certify your data is accurate and then click the Upload button to browse files on your computer.
Once the file has been located, double-click to upload the file.
After your file has been uploaded, click Validate.
Under the Validation Results and Site Details section, click Refresh to prompt the validation to complete. Larger detailed data files may take longer to complete.
If errors display after you’ve validated your detailed data file, then your validation has been unsuccessful, and the file has not uploaded. Click the link to export a list of validation errors, make the appropriate updates to you detailed data file and then click Retry to re-start the upload process.
However, if validation warnings are displayed, as they are here, or there are no warnings or errors then your detailed data validation has been successful, and the file has been uploaded.
If you cannot upload your detailed data file due to validation errors or you have concerns about your validation warnings, please contact your weighbridge software provider or QWDS support at QWDS dot enquiries @ DETSI dot qld dot gov dot au.
In this case, our detailed data file validation has been successful.
In the Upload Detailed Data screen under the Validation Results and Site Details section, only one site is displayed on the Site Details page. If you have multiple sites, click the links under Site Names or use the arrow keys at the bottom of the page to make sure you review all sites.
Please review each section for all sites, and, if you’re happy, click Next.
A pop-up message displays to remind you of the validation warnings, click No to display the warnings about the detailed data you’ve uploaded or, if you’re happy to progress, click OK to confirm.
In the Summary Return Review section, review the Total Levy amount and Reporting Summary by Site information.
There are also an optional comments field (up to 2000 characters) and ability to upload supporting documents, if you would like to submit additional information with your summary return.
If you wish to change your detailed data file after it has been successfully uploaded, but before you have submitted the Summary Return, you can click Cancel and then Withdraw Return in the General Information section. This resets the Summary Return back to 'Awaiting Return' status.
To resubmit a detailed data file after submitting the Summary Return, you will need to perform a detailed data adjustment following the steps shown in the How to adjust summary returns video.
If you’re happy with your levy amount and reporting summary, check the Accept box to declare your Summary Return is true and correct and then click Submit.
Finally, you will receive a return has been successfully submitted message.
Click Finish to return to the QWDS Home page.
To view your finalised return, click Summary Return under the Records section and then filter by Finalised Return using the Status dropdown menu.
Your summary return entry now displays an updated Status of Finalised Return and populates the Land Fill Tonnes and Levy Liability columns with 53.50 tonnes and $6,687.50 respectively.
By clicking the Reporting Period link you can see more detail, and we’ll click the November 2025 link in this example.
In the General Information screen, you see more detailed information compared to the Summary Returns screen including the Return Status workflow which in this example displays Finalised Return.
The Detailed Data and Documents screen displays documents that have been uploaded in the Summary, including your detailed data file.
Check the download box and then click download to view and save any document to your local drives.
The Sites List screen displays the list of sites included in the summary return.
You can click each link to see each site's return details.
And finally, the Site Return Details displays the uploaded detailed data by site and zone.
On this screen, use the arrows at the bottom of the page for waste operators with multiple sites.
Thanks again for watching and if you’re interested in seeing other QWDS training materials, please go to the Department’s website and search for ‘QWDS Training Materials’ to see more training resources.