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Government of Western Australia Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
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Planning for the future Show Sub Nav
Finding water Finding Water

Finding new water resources, including Royalties for Regions-funded programs and other drilling programs to explore resources across the state.

 Water allocation plans Photo from consultation for the Gingin groundwater allocation plan

Information about allocation plans, which set out how much water can be reliably taken from groundwater and surface water sources for productive purposes while ensuring the sustainability of the resource and protection of the water-dependent environment.

 Meeting demand 1.3.1 Crop irrigation

Information about ensuring sustainable water supplies for the state’s population and industries, including the Water for Growth and Water for Food programs.

 Rural water support Rural Assistance

Click here to apply for rebates and grants for farmers, pastoralists and rural communities to improve local water supplies and for information about assistance to help farmers access water during dry seasons.

 Flood planning and mapping Meeting demand

Information, advice and management of flood plans based on flood behaviour research and floodplain mapping for the state's major rivers.

 Water and land use planning Narrows Bridge

Integrated water and land use planning based on the principles of total water cycle management.
Licensing Show Sub Nav
Water licensing Water Licensing

Licences and how to apply, licensing policies, forms to download and answers to questions frequently asked by current and prospective licensees.

 Water trading Water Trading

Find out who is eligible to trade water entitlements and how applications are assessed. Click here to identify potential trading partners from the Water Register.

 Metering and measurement

Metering and measuring the water you take helps you understand your water usage to make the most of your entitlements and reduce your overall costs.

 Water licensing fees

New fees for water licence and permit applications are being introduced to the mining and public water supply sectors from the 13 November 2018, post
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Current legislation Current Legislation

Current legislation for which the Department of Water assists the Minister for Water. Click here for current WA legislation.

 Water reform

We are updating our policy and legislation to deliver water resource management legislation that is flexible, progressive and capable of managing water today and in the future.
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Water services Water Services

Legislation and policy for Western Australia’s water service providers.

 Urban development Urban Development

Planning and managing water to enable growing, liveable water smart towns and cities.

 Recycling and efficiency Recycling

Information about wastewater recycling, water efficiencies and the use of fit-for-purpose water. Recycling is encouraged whenever it is socially, economically and environmentally acceptable to make smart use of waste water for the ongoing development of the State.

 Bores Domestic Garden Watering

For information on groundwater, garden bores and waterwise gardens please visit our Be Groundwater Wise website. You can find questions and answers about garden bores,

 Drinking water Mundaring Weir

Protecting and managing public drinking water source areas including policies relating to public drinking water source areas, water source protection plans, water quality strategies and management and review processes.
Water topics Show Sub Nav
Groundwater Ground Water

Information on the state’s groundwater resources, locations, investigations, aquifer recharge and sustainable management of water resources, including an overview of state groundwater investigations.

 Surface water Surface Water

Surface water, like rivers and streams used for public water supply, self-supply, irrigation, recreation and hydropower and rainfall and streamflow monitoring, catchment modelling and flood studies to manage surface water.

 Water quality Water Quality

Click here for information about water quality, including public drinking water source areas, salinity, brochures, fact sheets and best management practices for various land uses and activities to help protect water quality and public health.

 Waterways Rivers and Estuaries

Rivers and estuaries and their importance including information on monitoring and assessing waterways, protecting, understanding, planning, restoring, and risks and threats.

 Estuaries

There are 166 estuaries in Western Australia as established through the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) 2000, where an estuary is defined as

 Onshore petroleum and water resources 5.6 Shale_and_tight_gas.jpg

Information on the department’s role in relation to the shale and tight gas industry.
Maps & data Show Sub Nav
Maps Maps

A detailed collection of online atlases and maps with information on the State’s water resources, including depth to groundwater, garden bore suitability, geology and proclaimed management areas.

 Monitoring and data Data logger hut

Information and reports collected from the department's extensive State-wide monitoring network, which are provided free for water management, state development and research purposes.
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  • Water licensing
    • Water licensing in Western Australia
    • Do I need a licence or permit?
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    • How to apply for a licence or permit
    • Licence amendments and renewals
    • Responsibilities of licence and permit holders
    • Transfers, trades and agreements
    • Making submissions and complaints about the taking of water
    • Compliance and enforcement
    • Water services
    • REFOCUS program
    • Foreign ownership of water entitlements
  • Water trading
  • Metering and measurement
  • Water licensing fees
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Water licensing

Infographic LicenceInfographic ApplicationInfographic Decision

Water licensing in Western Australia
Water licensing process There are five stages to applying for a new licence or permit, or in making changes to an existing licence. Stage 1
Do I need a licence or permit?
Are you planning to: construct or alter a bore (well) or draw groundwater ? (pdf) use surface water from a watercourse ? (pdf) interfere with
Exemptions
There are some activities that do not require a licence or permit. The following information outlines these exemptions. Construct a well and take groundwater exemption
How to apply for a licence or permit
Frequently asked questions How do I apply for a water licence or permit? What does the department do when it receives an application ? What
Licence amendments and renewals
Frequently asked questions How often do I need to renew my licence or permit? How do I apply to amend or renew my licence to
Responsibilities of licence and permit holders
Frequently asked questions I have a licence to take water. What are my obligations? I have to meter my water use. What are my obligations?
Transfers, trades and agreements
Trading or leasing water allows for water entitlements to be distributed amongst landholders in fully allocated resource areas. Is water available in your area? Check
Making submissions and complaints about the taking of water
Frequently asked questions Why are water licence applications advertised and how do I make a submission? How do I make a complaint about the taking
Compliance and enforcement
Effective compliance and enforcement are essential tools for managing the state's water resources now and for future generations. The department administers legislation that provides for the regulation, protection and use of water resources across the state.
Water services
What is a water service? A water service is the provision of any of the following services through reticulated piping, conduits and approved infrastructure. The
REFOCUS program
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation protects the state's water resources and promotes the sustainable and efficient use of water via regulatory tools such
Foreign ownership of water entitlements
From 1 July 2017, the Australian Government introduced a new water entitlements register to increase transparency around foreign investment in Australia. If you’re a foreign
Page last updated - 19 May 2022
Water licensing


Quicklinks

  • Water licensing process

  • What if I am non-compliant?

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Contact us

For technical issues related to the site or general licensing enquiries on the process or form, please contact us

1800 508 885

licence.enquiry@dwer.wa.gov.au

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

Water Register

See our water register to understand water availability in your area.

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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was established by the Government of Western Australia on 1 July 2017. It is a result of the amalgamation of the Department of Environment Regulation, Department of Water and the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. This website/publication may contain references to previous government departments and programs. Please contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to clarify any specific information.

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