Water Licences

Licensing of water diversions and issuing water allocations are essential ingredients for good water management. In Tasmania, before water can be taken from a river or stream or stored in a farm dam for commercial purposes, a licence must be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Once a person has established a water allocation under the Water Management Act 1999, an allocation may be attached to the licence. A water allocation can be obtained by either establishing a right to take water from the stream at the licence location, or by transferring water from another licence.

Conditions can be placed on both the water licence and/or allocation. Conditions are included to enable the water resource to be sustainably managed and to protect both water quality and environmental needs of waterways.

In this topic

Water Licensing - FAQs
Essential information relating to water licences and dam works.
Know Your Water Licence
Information helping you understand your water licence and what you can and can't under your water licence.
Water Allocation Surety Levels
What water allocation surety levels mean in regards to access to water
Do I need a Water Licence?
Who requires a water licence and how to apply.
Applying for a Water Licence/Allocation
How to apply for a water licence (includes links to forms, how to apply and payment options)
Transferring Water Licences and Dam Permits
Information on how to transfer water licences and/or allocations and dam permits either for a short term of permanent transfer.
Accounting for your water
New conditions are being added to water licences that will require the keeping of records to demonstrate compliance.
Making the Most of Your Water Factsheets
Some factsheets to assist licence holders in understanding how planning, recording and reviewing their water use can assist in being compliant with water licences.
Selling Water
Licensing issues that must be considered when selling water and links to required forms.
Surface Water Catchments
Water management is focused on 48 catchments across Tasmania.
Temporary Water Allocations
Under what circumstances are temporary water allocations issued?
Undertaking Riverworks
Requirements for undertaking works in rivers.
Water Districts and Entities
A Water District may be created under the Water Management Act 1999 for various purposes, including water supply, irrigation and undertaking riverworks.
Water licences and property
Information on what to do with water licences when buying or selling a property.
Water Licences Do's and Don'ts
To be compliant with your water licence you must take the specified amount of water from the named location at the right time
Water Management Regions
Water management activities are undertaken by Regional Water Management Officers across Tasmania.
Water Meters
Water meters are recognised as one of the most reliable methods to measure and account for water taken under water licences.
Water Restrictions
Water restrictions are imposed when water supplies are low.
Watercourse Authorities
If water is being released from a dam into a watercourse to be picked up downstream you will need a Watercourse Authority.

Search for Water Entitlement and Dam Permit Data via WIST (Water Information System of Tasmania).

Contact

Dam & Water Application Enquiries

GPO Box 44,
HOBART, TAS, 7001.

Phone: 1300 368 550

Email: Water.Enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au