LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR WATER MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA 

The comprehensive list below provides an overview of current water law, policy and government departments from across Australia. The list has been compiled by the WMLP Specialist Committee to assist network members navigate and review their way around relevant Australian water law and policies. 

Whilst every effort has been made to keep it as up to date as possible, we welcome network members to contribute material or updates by sending them to networks@awa.asn.au.

 

This page provides information about the following states and territories:

• Commonwealth 
• New South Wales 
• Victoria 
• Queensland 
• Western Australia 
• South Australia 
• Tasmania 
• Australian Capital Territory 
• Northern Territory 

Commonwealth 

Legislation 

• Water Act 2007  
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999   
• National Water Commission Act 2004  

Policy 

• National Water Initiative  
• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 1996  
• Water Made Clear  
• ARMCANZ(1996) National principles for the provision of water for ecosystems  
• National Water Quality Management Strategy for groundwater protection & updates  

Recent National Reviews & Other information 

• Productivity Commission on Urban Water 
• Review of urban water quality regulation in Australia  
• Waterlines Reports 
• Water for the environment publications 

Water agencies& utilities 

• Department of Sustainability, Enviroment, Water, Population and Communities 
• National Water Commission
• EwaterCRC 

New South Wales 

Legislation 

• Water Management Act 2000 
• Water Industry Competition Act 2006 
• Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1957 
• Water Management (General Regulation) Act 2004 
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (New South Wales) Act 2005  
• Water (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2008 
• Murray Darling Basin Act 1992   
•  New South Wales – Queensland Border Rivers Act 1947 

Policy 

• NSW Policy Framework 
• Water Quality Objectives  
• Licensing guidelines for sewerage treatment systems  
• Environmental Water Management Planning  
• Guideline to the policy for groundwater transfers in inland NSW outside water sharing plan areas 
• Drinking Water Quality 

Water agencies & utilities 

• NSW Office of Water 
• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water 
• NSW Water Directorate  
• Sydney Water  

Victoria 

Legislation 

• Water Act 1989  
• Environment Protection Act 1970  
• Murray Darling Basin Act 1993 
• Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 
• Water Industry Act 1994 
• Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 
• Water (Resource Management) Act 2005  
• Water (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2008 
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 
• Water Regulations   

Policy  

• Our Water Our Future 
• State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria)
• Victorian Government White Paper – securing our water future together 
• Sustainable Water Strategies  
• Water Allocation Framework   

Water agencies & utilities 

• Office of Water  
• Environment Protection Authority  
• Water Corporations  
• Catchment Management Authorities  
• Drinking Water Regulator 
• Vic Water Industry Association  
• Melbourne Water  
• Economic regulator Essential Services Commission  

 Queensland   

Legislation 

• Water Act 2000  
• Environmental Protection Act 1994  
• Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008  
• South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007 
• Water Regulation 2002 
• Water (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2008  

Policy 

• Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997  
• Water Recycling Guidelines  
• Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Guideline 
• Demand management guidelines  
• Supply Strategy and planning  
• Water Resource Planning 

Water agencies & utilities 

• Department of Environment and Resource Management - Water 
• Department of Environment and Resource Management – Environmental Management 
• Water authorities http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/regulation/water_authorities.html  
• Water service providers 
• QLD Water 
• SEQ Water   

 Western Australia 

Legislation 

• Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984  
• Water Boards Act 1904  
• Water Corporation Act 1995  
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2006 
• Water Resources Legislation Amendment Act 2007  
• Water Services Licensing Act 1995  
• Environmental Protection Act 1986 
• Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 

Policy 

• State Water Plan  
• Water Policy Framework 
• Water planning  
• Legislative Reform Program  

Water agencies & utilities 

• Department of Water 
• Water Corporation 
• Aqwest  

 South Australia 

Legislation 

• Natural Resources Management Act 2004  
• Environment Protection Act 1993  
• South Australian Water Corporation Act 1994 
• Water (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2008 
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2006  
• Waterworks Act 1932 
• Murray Darling Basin Act 2008 
• Water Regulations 

Policy 

• Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 1993 
• SA Reclaimed Water Guidelines   
• Water for good 
• Regional demand and supply statements   
• Water Allocation Planning 

Water agencies & utilities 

• Department of Water 
• Environment Protection Authority SA 
• NRM Boards  
• SA Water  

Tasmania 

Legislation  

 

• Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008    
• Natural Resource Management Act 2002  
• Water Management Act 1999  
• Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 
• State Policy and Projects Act 1993  
• Land Use and Approvals Act 1993 
• Subordinate Legislation Act 1992  
• Irrigation Clauses Act 1973 

 

 Policy  

 

• Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (2005) (in Public Health Act 1997) 
• Guiding Principles for Water Trading in Tasmania-Water Resources Policy #2003/2 
• State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997  

 

Water agencies & utilities  

 

• Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIW) 
• Tasmanian Planning Commission 
• Hydro Electric Corporation of Tasmania 
• Water Supply and Services 

 

Australian Capital Territory 

Legislation  

• Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997 
• Water Resources Act 1997   
• Environment Protection Act 1997 

  

 Policy  

 

• Relevant International obligations and intergovernmental agreements 
• Draft ACT Natural Resource Management Plan (2008) 
• Drinking Water Quality Code of Practice 2007 
• Greywater use: Guidelines for residential properties in Canberra 

Water agencies& utilities  

• ACTEW Corporation  
• Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water 
• Territory and Municipal Services 
• ACT Government – Health 

Northern Territory 

Legislation 

• Water Act 1992 
• Environment Protection Authority Act 2007  
• Environmental Assessment Act 1994 
• Power and Water Corporation Act 2002  
• Water Supply and Sewerage Services Act 2000 
• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2006 
• Water Regulations 1992 

Water agencies & utilities 

• Department of Natural Resources,Environment,the Arts& Sport – Water  
• Department of Natural Resources,Environment,the Arts& Sport – Environment Protection  
• NT Department of Health – Water Quality  
• PowerWater Corporation