2023-24 Water pricing

Find fees and charges for this financial year along with other helpful resources.

2023-24 pricing

IPART has reviewed prices for WaterNSW’s Services (and those of its subsidiaries) for the 2023-24 financial year, more information can be found on IPART’s website.

View WaterNSW's prices from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024:

2023-24 Greater Sydney charges

WaterNSW charges to large customers for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 (i.e. Sydney Water Corporation*)
CHARGING COMPONENT****UNITPRICE

Fixed availability charge*

$/Month

$15,217,991

Volumetric charge (30-day non-drought month)

$/ML

$79.51

Volumetric charge (31-day non-drought month)

$/ML

$76.95

Volumetric charge (30-day drought month)

$/ML

$95.15

Volumetric charge (31-day drought month)

$/ML

$92.08

**Volumetric charge (30-day drought month with SDP in full operation)

$/ML

$118.79

**Volumetric charge (31-day drought month with SDP in full operation)

$/ML

$114.04

WaterNSW charges to Councils for 2023-24
CUSTOMERTYPE CHARGING COMPONENTUNITPRICE

Goulburn Mulwaree Council

Service charge

Fixed availability charge

$/Month

$2,160.30

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Drought Response Days^

$/ML

$71.82

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Non-Drought Response Days

$/ML

$60.01

Shoalhaven City Council

Service charge

Fixed availability charge

$/Month

$1,799.87

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Drought Response Days^

$/ML

$71.82

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Non-Drought Response Days

$/ML

$60.01

Wingecarribee Shire Council

Service charge

Fixed availability charge

$/Month

$96,002.60

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Drought Response Days^

$/ML

$71.82

Bulk raw water ($/ml)

Volumetric charge
Non-Drought Response Days

$/ML

$60.01
WaterNSW charges for Greater Sydney for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024
TYPE CHARGING COMPONENT NOMINAL DIAMETERUNITPRICE
Service charge

Fixed availability charge for connection of nominal diameter

20 mm

$/Annum

$115.88

25 mm

$/Annum

$181.07

30 mm

$/Annum

$260.74

32 mm

$/Annum

$296.67

40 mm

$/Annum

$463.53

50 mm

$/Annum

$724.27

80 mm

$/Annum

$1,854.13

100 mm

$/Annum

$2,897.08

150 mm

$/Annum

$6,518.42

200 mm

$/Annum

$11,588.30

>200 mm

$/Annum

(Meter size) 2 x
(20mm fixed availability charge) / 400

Bulk unfiltered water ($/kL)

Volumetric Charge

 

$/kL

$1.58 for drought response days^

$1.32 for non-drought response days

Bulk raw water ($/kL)

Volumetric Charge

 

$/kL

$0.91 for drought response days

$0.76 for
non-drought response days


Notes for Greater Sydney charges

Pricing as determined by IPART.

IPART use the term ‘drought’ as a shorthand for when dam levels fall below 60%.

IPART use a ‘60/70 trigger’ for moving between non-drought and drought usage prices. That is, drought usage prices will apply 31 days after dam levels fall below 60% and would continue to apply until 31 days after dam levels are above 70%, at which the non-drought usage price would apply.

* The fixed availability charge assumes one large customer in the Greater Sydney catchment area (i.e. Sydney Water Corporation). If the large customer base expands during the 2020-24 determination period, then the fixed availability charge will be levied on each large customer in proportion of their share of total water delivered to large customers in the Greater Sydney catchment area.

** These are indicative charges which assumes the Sydney Desalination Plant (SDP) delivers the maximum amount per month (7,980 MLs) as per clause 3 of the determination. If the volume of water delivered by SDP is less than 7,980 MLs, then the volumetric charge is scaled down in proportion to the actual volume of water deliver by SDP. The actual volume of water delivered by SDP must be notified to WaterNSW by all large customers no later than 5 business days after the end of the relevant month.

*** The charges above exclude Shoalhaven transfer costs, which are recovered through an additional volumetric charge determined under clause 3 of the determination document. Shoalhaven transfer costs are determined by reference to the efficient benchmark cost of electricity as determined by IPART.

The benchmark cost of electricity is set and incorporated into the price (if triggered) in accordance with schedule 1, clause 3 of the determination.

QuarterOff-peak pricePeak price
1 July – 30 September$226.10$301.01
1 October – 31 December$179.68$239.60
1 January – 31 March$279.34$814.72
1 April – 30 June$195.15$276.29


The indicative volumetric charges do not apply when:

  • Number of days in a month are not equal to 30 or 31
  • Number of drought days in a month are not equal to the length of the month

In these cases, the volumetric charge will be recalculated in accordance with clause 3 of the determination.

^ Drought Response Day means a day that falls within a period which commences on and includes a Trigger Day and ends on and includes the day before the next Cease Day.

Charges are billed quarterly in arrears, payment terms for all invoices is 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to Accounts and billing.

2023-24 Broken Hill Pipeline water services

Prices for WaterNSW’s Broken Hill Pipeline water services for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024
ACCESSUSAGE

Essential Energy

$57,126.09 - per day

$0.45 - per kL

Non-Essential Energy

$19.04 - per day

$0.45 - per kL

Pricing as determined by the IPART.

Charges are billed quarterly in arrears, payment terms for all invoices is 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to Accounts and billing.

2023-24 Fish River prices

WaterNSW Fish River prices for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024
ACCESSUSAGE EXCESS USAGE
Raw water ($/kl)
Energy Australia $0.55 $0.37 $0.92
Lithgow Council $0.55 $0.37 $0.92
Oberon Council $0.47 $0.29 $0.77
Individual Minor customers $0.55 $0.37 $0.92
Filtered water ($/kl)
Lithgow Council $0.97 $0.60 $1.56
Individual Minor customers $0.97 $0.60 $1.56

Notes for Fish River prices

Pricing as determined by IPART.

Fish River connection charge is $1,042.18 for low complexity connections where no tapping band or pressure reducing valve is required, $3,951.44 for medium complexity connections where a taping band is required, and $8,078.99 for high complexity connections where a pressure reducing valve is required. Fish River disconnection charge is $293.40.

Access is $ per kL per minimum annual quantity and usage is per kL of water used.

Fish River Minors charges are billed bi-annually in arrears and Fish River Majors charges are billed monthly in arrears. Payment terms for all invoices is 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to Accounts and billing.

Fish River Water Supply Scheme customers – minimum annual quantity (MAQ)

BULK RAW WATER BULK FILTERED WATER
Rural Water Supply Customers
Energy Australia (ML/year) 8,184 0
Minor Customers (kL/year) 200 200
Urban Water Supply Customers (ML/year)
Oberon Council 1,064 0
Lithgow City Council 100 1,678

The bulk water charges in the Coastal valleys recover the cost of bulk water services that WaterNSW supplies in regulated rivers to the Fish River (filtered water customers), Hunter, North Coast and South Coast valleys. Consistent with the water services order, these services include:

  1. the making available of water
  2. the making available of WaterNSW's water supply facilities
  3. the supplying of water, whether by means of WaterNSW's water supply facilities or otherwise.

The activity costs associated with the bulk water charges are described in the IPART Final Decision, IPART Draft Decision and accompanying reports. They include:
Customer support, Customer Billing, Metering & Compliance, Water delivery and Other Operations, Corrective Maintenance, Routing Maintenance, Asset Management Planning, Insurance, Hydrometric monitoring, Flood Operations, Water Quality Monitoring, Dam Safety Compliance, Environmental Planning & Protection, Dam Safety Compliance Capital Projects pre-1997, Asset Management Planning, Routine Maintenance, Structural and Other Enhancement, Corporate Systems, Office Accommodation Capital Projects, Information Management Projects, Drought Projects, Water Delivery and Other Operations.

This determination applies to regulated charges for Water Charge Rules 2010 (Cth) (WCR) Bulk Water Services supplied by WaterNSW during the 2023-24 Year. That is, this determination applies to services supplied by WaterNSW in the Murray-Darling Basin Valleys (the Border, Gwydir, Namoi, Peel, Lachlan, Macquarie, Murray, Murrumbidgee and Lowbidgee Valleys) and to Rural Water Supply Customers in the Fish River Water Supply Scheme.

This determination does not apply to the maximum prices in the 2021 Determination which are set under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 (NSW) (IPART Act). That is, this determination does not apply to services supplied by WaterNSW in Coastal Valleys (the North Coast, South Coast and Hunter Valleys) or to Urban Water Supply Customers in the Fish River Water Supply Scheme. The 2021 Determination continues to apply to WaterNSW’s maximum prices for rural bulk water services set under the IPART Act.

Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) charges are subject to the annual review process carried by IPART (typically around April each year) as per Division 3 of Part 6 of the Water Charge (infrastructure) Rules 2010 (WCIR). This process permits IPART to consider whether or not it is reasonably necessary to make variations to the MDB charges having regard to 1) changes in damned or consumption forecast and 2) price stability. This process also incorporates any annual updates to the MDB charges to account for inflationary adjustments. Please see IPART’s website for information on the annual review process.

2023-24 Regulated river prices

WaterNSW Regulated river prices for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

All charges apply from this date until otherwise specified. Entitlement charges are billed per share and usage charges are billed per megalitre extracted.

View the Regulated river pricing booklet.

VALLEY/RIVERDETAILS HIGH SECURITY GENERAL SECURITYUSAGE

Border

WaterNSW Charges $7.40 $2.71 $7.91
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $2.08 $2.08 $1.67
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.61 $0.61 $0.29
WAMC Border Rivers Commission charges** $1.46 $1.46 $0.70
Rural Border Rivers Commission charges** $5.45 $1.99 $0.97
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$17.00$8.85$11.54
 

Gwydir

WaterNSW charges $19.58 $4.55 $19.34
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.41 $1.41 $1.46
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.81 $0.81 $0.50
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$21.80$6.77$21.30
 

Hunter and Paterson

WaterNSW charges $22.43 $17.43$21.52
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $3.83 $3.83 $2.62
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$26.26$21.26$24.14
 

Lachlan and Belubula

WaterNSW charges $28.24 $4.17 $35.07
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.31 $1.31 $2.08
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.37 $0.37 $0.35
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$29.92$5.85$37.50
 
Macquarie WaterNSW charges $22.70 $4.43 $24.35
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.59 $1.59 $1.92
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.51 $0.51 $0.36
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$24.80$6.53$26.63
 

Murray and Lower Darling

WaterNSW charges $2.54 $1.11 $3.30
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.32 $1.32 $0.96
Rural Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges $9.72 $4.28 $2.08
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.71 $0.71 $0.30
Total charges collected by WaterNSW**$14.29$7.42$6.64
 

Murrumbidgee

(excluding Yanco and Colombo Creek users)
WaterNSW charges $4.69 $1.61$5.59
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.13 $1.13 $0.83
Rural Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges $2.09 $0.72 $0.42
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.73 $0.73 $0.32
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$8.64$4.19$7.16
 

Murrumbidgee

(Yanco and Colombo Creek users only)
WaterNSW charges $4.69 $1.61 $5.59
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.13 $1.13 $0.83
Rural Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges $2.09 $0.72 $0.42
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.73 $0.73 $0.32
Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council (YACTAC) charges# $0.90 $0.90 NA
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$9.54$5.09$7.16
 

Lowbidgee

~levied on supplementary licences
WaterNSW charges NA $1.94 NA
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW NA NA $0.83
Rural Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges NA NA NA
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* NA NA $0.32
Total charges collected by WaterNSWNA$1.94$1.15
 

Namoi

WaterNSW charges $32.55 $11.36 $34.74
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $2.16 $2.16 $1.73
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.92 $0.92 $0.44
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$35.63$14.44$36.91
 

North Coast

WaterNSW charges $14.42 $11.18 $21.35
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $5.43 $5.43 $6.92
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$19.85$16.61$28.27
 

Peel

WaterNSW charges $69.03 $6.55 $27.57
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $3.53 $3.53 $5.51
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.28 $0.28 $0.26
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$72.84$10.36$33.34
 

South Coast

WaterNSW charges $37.76 $19.80 $21.15
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $4.24 $4.24 $6.37
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$42.00$24.04$27.52
Charges where a floodplain harvesting regulation has been made in respect of the relevant water source+

If the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational as of 30 June 2023, the below charges will take effect and replace the above charges between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

Floodplain harvesting licences will be billed usage charges only, entitlement charges are not applicable. Floodplain harvesting licences will be billed the minimum annual charge if their annual usage charges are less than the minimum annual charge.

VALLEY/RIVERDETAILS HIGH SECURITY GENERAL SECURITYUSAGE

Border

WaterNSW Charges $7.40 $2.71 $7.91
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $2.08 $2.08 $1.31
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.61 $0.61 $0.23
WAMC Border Rivers Commission charges** $1.46 $1.46 $0.55
Rural Border Rivers Commission charges** $5.45 $1.99 $0.97
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$17.00$8.85$10.97
 

Gwydir

WaterNSW charges $19.58 $4.55 $19.34
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.41 $1.41 $1.02
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.81 $0.81 $0.35
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$21.80$6.77$20.71
 

Macquarie

WaterNSW charges $22.70 $4.43 $24.35
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $1.59 $1.59 $1.65
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.51 $0.51 $0.32
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$24.80$6.53$26.32
 

Namoi

WaterNSW charges $32.55 $11.36 $34.74
WAMC charges collected by WaterNSW $2.16 $2.16 $1.32
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.92 $0.92 $0.34
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$35.63$14.44$36.40

The estimated proportion of voluntary telemetry uptake submitted to IPART for FY24 is 0% - 25%, therefore the following charge applies.

ANNUAL SCHEME MANAGEMENT CHARGE***
Proportion of voluntary telemetry uptakeCharge
0% - 25% $82.42
MINIMUM ANNUAL CHARGE^
$261.80

Notes for regulated river charges

All prices are $ per megalitre of entitlements and megalitre of usage for the fixed and variable charges.

Charges collected on behalf of WAMC.

These prices are determined by IPART for WAMC costs.

+IPART have set specific fixed and variable charges in relevant river valleys and groundwater sources that are triggered when the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational. In the event these charges are triggered, they will replace the existing fixed and variable charges.

#Yanco Colombo System Levy – an additional charge applies to Yanco Colombo System licences – charged in final quarter invoice based on per ML/unit share of entitlement.

Charges are billed quarterly in arrears, payment terms for all invoices are 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to  please refer to Accounts and billing.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority Charges (MDBA) / Border River Commissions (BRC) WAMC pass-through charge is a recovery of NSW Government contribution to MDBA and BRC (fixed and variable) for WAMC. IPART sets the charges to recover the NSW Government’s contribution to funding the MDBA & BRC to undertake activities under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement and the agreement with the Border Rivers Commission at the amount set by IPART. IPART sets these government charges every four years via a public consultation process. It updates these government charges annually during this period to reflect changes in the consumer price index and changes in demand for WaterNSW’s services. These charges will apply to all water users in NSW’s sections of the Murray-Darling Basin and Border Rivers systems.

These charges will apply to MDBA WAMC customers and BRC WAMC customers as follows:

*MDBA customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Regulated Rivers in the – Border, Gwydir, Namoi, Peel, Lachlan, Macquarie, Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys;

**BRC customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Regulated Rivers in the – Border valley;

^Please note the minimum annual charge applies in relation to the WAMC charges.

****The Annual scheme management charge is levied on all billable licences including floodplain harvesting licences.

Despite anything in this letter, the maximum price for Monopoly Services under the WAMC and WaterNSW Rural Valley Bulk Water Determination in respect of an Aboriginal Cultural Licence is zero.

WAMC charges are determined by IPART under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 (IPART Act) and the WAMC determination.


Metering service charges for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

The metering service charge (MSC) is calculated and invoiced annually in arrears. You will receive a separate WaterNSW invoice for your metering charges as they are calculated based on your work approval while your entitlement/usage charge is based on your water access licence.

Call our Customer Service Centre on 1300 662 077, if you have a concern regarding the accuracy of the meter. If you elect to have your meter tested, a deposit of $1,750.00 is payable and payment is required prior to testing. If the meter is found to be inaccurate, your deposit will be refunded in full. However, if the meter is found to be within accuracy standards then the total meter accuracy testing charge will be invoiced.

Note, the meter laboratory verification charge at request of customer is $9,623.91 and $7,011.94 for meter in-situ validation charge – where a meter is relocated or disturbed.

Current government-owned meter service charges

The below table represents current government-owned MSC. Once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the reform, the annual government-owned MSC comes into effect based of the compliance date associated with the meter.

METER SIZE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
50mm $541.31
80mm $543.83
100mm $543.81
150mm $550.20
200mm $553.37
250mm $556.29
300mm $563.85
350mm $597.81
400mm $618.04
450mm $621.93
500mm $638.51
600mm $659.73
700mm $684.96
750mm $720.28
800mm $744.15
900mm $751.71
1000mm $765.68
Channel $7,094.31
Annual government-owned meter service charge – non-urban metering reform

The below table represents the government-owned MSC once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform. The list of rollout dates are available here.

CHARGE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
Operating costs (non channel meter) $1,011.21
Operating costs (channel meter) $7,094.30
Capital costs $0
Exit fee $0

Notes for metering service charges

Metering charges are calculated annually in arrears.

The MSC will be triggered as follows:

  1. New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
    1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
    2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
  2. There will be a pro rata between the existing and new MSC as follows
    1. for a:
      1. government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter charge Trigger Day, the charges set out in the current government-owned table will cease to apply and the charges in the annual meter service charges table and the telemetry and non-telemetry service charge table will instead apply; and
      2. privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, will be charged the telemetry and non-telemetry charges.
  3. If customers move from government-owned meter to privately-owned meter, the government meter charges and privately-owned meter charges will be pro rated as follows:
    1. different annual charges apply to government-owned meters and privately-owned meters. Where a licence holder switches from a government-owned meter to a privately-owned meter (or vice versa), the annual charges that will be applicable will be pro-rated based on the proportion of days in the financial year that the licence holder used a:
      1. government-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year; and
      2. privately-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year.
  4. The telemetry and non-telemetry charges apply based on overall voluntary telemetry uptake to both privately-owned meters and government-owned meters (the telemetry service charge will apply to government-owned meters, if all government-owned meter s are telemetry) The telemetry/non-telemetry charges apply as follows:
    1. for a government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day, the:
      1. meter service charge in the government-owned table will cease to apply in respect of that government-owned meter; and
      2. charges in the annual government-owned table will instead apply in respect of that government-owned meter.
    2. for a privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, the:
      1. reading / assessment charge will cease to apply in respect of that privately-owned meter; and
      2. the annual telemetry and non-telemetry charges will instead apply in respect of that privately-owned meter.
  5. The trigger for these new charges are as follows:
    1. new Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
      1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
      2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
    2. new Private Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a privately-owned meter, the date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter.
Irrigation corporation district rebates
IRRIGATION CORPORATION TOTAL ANNUAL REBATE
Coleambally Irrigation $281,834
Eagle Creek Scheme $7,228
Jemalong Irrigation $58,692
Moira Irrigation Scheme $20,192
Murray Irrigation $765,143
Murrumbidgee Irrigation $657,619
West Corurgan $38,262
Western Murray $19,330

The rebates are paid annually to irrigation corporation districts (ICDs) in the form of rebates as set by IPART, with the value of the rebates collected from other users in accordance with the IPART determination.

2023-24 Groundwater management prices

WaterNSW Groundwater management prices for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

All charges apply from this date until otherwise specified. Entitlement charges are billed per share and usage charges are billed per megalitre extracted.

View the Groundwater pricing booklet.

1-PART TARIFF 2-PART TARIFF
Valley/riverDetailsEntitlement charge (A)Entitlement charge (B)Usage (C)

Inland

WAMC charges $6.72 $4.20 $2.52
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.29 $0.21 $0.08
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$7.01$4.41$2.60
 

Murrumbidgee

WAMC charges $5.66 $3.53 $2.13
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.29 $0.21 $0.08
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$5.95$3.74$2.21
 

Coastal

WAMC charges $6.19 $2.13 $4.06
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$6.19$2.13$4.06
Inland/Border Rivers

The below charges are relevant for the four water sources listed within Inland/Border Rivers.

1-PART TARIFF 2-PART TARIFF
Water sourceDetailsEntitlement charge (A)Entitlement charge (B)Usage (C)

Macintyre Alluvial Groundwater Source

NSW Border Rivers Upstream Keetah Bridge Alluvial Groundwater Source

NSW Border Rivers Downstream Keetah Bridge Alluvial Groundwater Source

Ottleys Creek Alluvial Groundwater Source

WAMC charges $6.72 $4.20 $2.52
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.29 $0.21 $0.08
WAMC Border River Commission charges** $0.48 $0.34 $0.15
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$7.49$4.75$2.75

The estimated proportion of voluntary telemetry uptake submitted to IPART for FY24 is 0% - 25%, therefore the following charge applies.

ANNUAL SCHEME MANAGEMENT CHARGE***
Proportion of voluntary telemetry uptakeCharge
0% - 25% $82.42
MINIMUM ANNUAL CHARGE^
$261.80

Notes for groundwater management prices

All prices are $ per megalitre of entitlements and megalitre of usage for the fixed and variable charges.

Charges collected on behalf of WAMC.

These prices are determined by IPART for WAMC costs.

+IPART have set specific fixed and variable charges in relevant river valleys and groundwater sources that are triggered when the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational. In the event these charges are triggered, they will replace the existing fixed and variable charges.

#Yanco Colombo System Levy – an additional charge applies to Yanco Colombo System licences – charged in final quarter invoice based on per ML/unit share of entitlement.

Charges are billed quarterly in arrears, payment terms for all invoices are 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to  please refer to Accounts and billing.

+IPART have set specific fixed and variable charges in relevant river valleys and groundwater sources that are triggered when the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational. In the event these charges are triggered, they will replace the existing fixed and variable (1-part and 2-part tariff) charges.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority Charges (MDBA) / Border River Commissions (BRC) WAMC pass-through charge is a recovery of NSW Government contribution to MDBA and BRC (fixed and variable) for WAMC. IPART sets the charges to recover the NSW Government’s contribution to funding the MDBA & BRC to undertake activities under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement and the agreement with the Border Rivers Commission at the amount set by IPART. IPART sets these government charges every four years via a public consultation process. It updates these government charges annually during this period to reflect changes in the consumer price index and changes in demand for WaterNSW’s services. These charges will apply to all water users in NSW’s sections of the Murray-Darling Basin and Border Rivers systems.

These charges will apply to MDBA WAMC customers and BRC WAMC customers as follows:

*MDBA customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Groundwater from the – Inland and Murrumbidgee valleys.

**BRC customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Groundwater from the – Macintyre Alluvial Groundwater Source, NSW Border Rivers Upstream Keetah Bridge Alluvial Groundwater Source, NSW Border Rivers Downstream Keetah Bridge Alluvial Groundwater Source and Ottleys Creek Alluvial Groundwater Source.

^Please note the minimum annual charge applies in relation to the WAMC charges.

****The Annual scheme management charge is levied on all billable licences.
Despite anything in this letter, the maximum price for Monopoly Services under the WAMC and WaterNSW Rural Valley Bulk Water Determination in respect of an Aboriginal Cultural Licence is zero.

WAMC charges are determined by IPART under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 (IPART Act) and the WAMC determination.


Metering service charges for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

The metering service charge (MSC) is calculated and invoiced annually in arrears. You will receive a separate WaterNSW invoice for your metering charges as they are calculated based on your work approval while your entitlement/usage charge is based on your water access licence.

Call our Customer Service Centre on 1300 662 077, if you have a concern regarding the accuracy of the meter. If you elect to have your meter tested, a deposit of $1,990.41 is payable and payment is required prior to testing. If the meter is found to be inaccurate, your deposit will be refunded in full. However, if the meter is found to be within accuracy standards then the total meter accuracy testing charge will be invoiced.

Note, the meter laboratory verification charge at request of customer is $7,873.91 and $5,261.94 for meter in-situ validation charge – where a meter is relocated or disturbed. The meter reset fee after suspension of maintenance for a year or more is $291.72 plus cost of parts.

Annual government-owned meter service charge – non-urban metering reform

The below table represents the government-owned MSC once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform. The list of rollout dates is available here.

TYPE OF CHARGE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
Operating costs (non channel meter)$1,011.21
Operating costs (channel meter)$7,094.30
Capital costs $0
Exit fee$0
Non-telemetered privately-owned meters
WATER TAKE READING/ASSESSMENT CHARGECHARGE
Annual charge $235.53
Telemetered or agency read government-owned meters

The below table represents current government-owned MSC. Once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform, the annual government-owned MSC comes into effect based on the compliance date associated with the meter.

METER SIZE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
50-300 mm $584.97
350-700 mm $607.83
750-1000 mm $660.78
Non-telemetered government-owned meters with customer reading and reporting

The below table represents current government-owned MSC. Once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform, the annual government-owned MSC comes into effect based on the compliance date associated with the meter.

METER SIZE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
50-300 mm $458.90
350-700 mm $476.83
750-1000 mm $518.38

Notes for metering service charges

Metering charges are calculated annually in arrears.

The MSC will be triggered as follows:

  1. New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
    1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
    2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
  2. There will be a pro rata between the existing and new MSC as follows
    1. for a:
      1. government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter charge Trigger Day, the charges set out in the current government-owned table will cease to apply and the charges in the annual meter service charges table and the telemetry and non-telemetry service charge table will instead apply; and
      2. privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, will be charged the telemetry and non-telemetry charges.
  3. If customers move from government-owned meter to privately-owned meter, the government meter charges and privately-owned meter charges will be pro rated as follows:
    1. different annual charges apply to government-owned meters and privately-owned meters. Where a licence holder switches from a government-owned meter to a privately-owned meter (or vice versa), the annual charges that will be applicable will be pro-rated based on the proportion of days in the financial year that the licence holder used a:
      1. government-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year; and
      2. privately-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year.
  4. The telemetry and non-telemetry charges apply based on overall voluntary telemetry uptake to both privately-owned meters and government-owned meters (the telemetry service charge will apply to government-owned meters, if all government-owned meter s are telemetry) The telemetry/non-telemetry charges apply as follows:
    1. for a government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day, the:
      1. meter service charge in the government-owned table will cease to apply in respect of that government-owned meter; and
      2. charges in the annual government-owned table will instead apply in respect of that government-owned meter.
    2. for a privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, the:
      1. reading / assessment charge will cease to apply in respect of that privately-owned meter; and
      2. the annual telemetry and non-telemetry charges will instead apply in respect of that privately-owned meter.
  5. The trigger for these new charges are as follows:
    1. new Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
      1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
      2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
    2. new Private Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a privately-owned meter, the date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter.

2023-24 Unregulated river management prices

WaterNSW Unregulated river management prices for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

All charges apply from this date until otherwise specified. Entitlement charges are billed per share and usage charges are billed per megalitre extracted.

View the Unregulated river pricing booklet.

1-PART TARIFF 2-PART TARIFF
Valley/riverDetailsEntitlement charge (A)Entitlement charge (B)Usage (C)

Border

WAMC charges $5.13 $0.91 $4.22
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.38 $0.10 $0.28
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$5.51$1.01$4.50
 

Far West

WAMC charges $5.75$3.31 $2.44
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $1.27 $0.89 $0.38
WAMC Border River Commission Charges** $2.08 $1.45 $0.63
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$9.10$5.65$3.45
 

Gwydir

WAMC charges $5.13 $0.91 $4.22
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.38 $0.10 $0.28
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$5.51$1.01$4.50
 

Hunter & Patterson

WAMC charges $4.20 $1.50 $2.70
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$4.20$1.50$2.70
 

Lachlan

WAMC charges $6.53 $2.28 $4.24
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.15 $0.16
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $6.83$2.43$4.40
 

Macquarie

WAMC charges $6.53 $2.28 $4.24
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.15 $0.16
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $6.83$2.43$4.40
 

Murray

WAMC charges $8.08 $1.91 $6.17
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.52 $0.18 $0.34
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $8.60$2.09$6.51
 

Murrumbidgee

WAMC charges $10.87 $3.35 $7.52
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.32 $0.14 $0.18
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $11.19$3.49$7.70
 

Namoi

WAMC charges $5.13 $0.91 $4.22
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.38 $0.10 $0.28
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $5.51$1.01$4.50
 

North Coast

WAMC charges $11.67 $5.20 $6.47
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$11.67$5.20$6.47
 

Peel

WAMC charges $5.13 $0.91 $4.22
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.38 $0.10 $0.28
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$5.51$1.01$4.50
 

South Coast***

WAMC charges $3.11 $1.78 $1.33
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$3.11$1.78$1.33
Charges where a floodplain harvesting regulation has been made in respect of the relevant water source+

If the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational as of 30 June 2023, the below charges will take effect and replace the above charges between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.

Floodplain harvesting licences will be billed usage charges only, entitlement charges are not applicable. Floodplain harvesting licences will be billed the minimum annual charge if their annual usage charges are less than the minimum annual charge.

1-PART TARIFF 2-PART TARIFF
Valley/riverDetailsEntitlement charge (A)Entitlement charge (B)Usage (C)

Border

WAMC charges $3.99 $1.68 $2.32
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.17 $0.14
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$4.29$1.85$2.46
 

Far West

WAMC charges $5.49 $3.39 $2.10
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $1.24 $0.91 $0.33
WAMC Border River Commission Charges** $2.01 $1.47 $0.54
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$8.74$5.77$2.97
 

Gwydir

WAMC charges $3.99 $1.68 $2.32
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.17 $0.14
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$4.29$1.85$2.46
 

Namoi

WAMC charges $3.99 $1.68 $2.32
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.17 $0.14
Total charges collected by WaterNSW $4.29$1.85$2.46
 

Peel

WAMC charges $3.99 $1.68 $2.32
WAMC Murray-Darling Basin Authority charges* $0.30 $0.17 $0.14
Total charges collected by WaterNSW$4.29$1.85$2.46

The estimated proportion of voluntary telemetry uptake submitted to IPART for FY24 is 0% - 25%, therefore the following charge applies.

ANNUAL SCHEME MANAGEMENT CHARGE***
Proportion of voluntary telemetry uptakeCharge
0% - 25% $82.42
MINIMUM ANNUAL CHARGE^
$261.80

Notes for unregulated river management prices

All prices are $ per megalitre of entitlements and megalitre of usage for the fixed and variable charges.

Charges collected on behalf of WAMC.

These prices are determined by IPART for WAMC costs.

+IPART have set specific fixed and variable charges in relevant river valleys and groundwater sources that are triggered when the floodplain harvesting regulation is operational. In the event these charges are triggered, they will replace the existing fixed and variable (1-part and 2-part tariff) charges.

***WaterNSW licences in South Coast unregulated rivers attract an additional entitlement charge of $0.46 per ML.

#Yanco Colombo System Levy – an additional charge applies to Yanco Colombo System licences – charged in final quarter invoice based on per ML/unit share of entitlement.

Charges are billed quarterly in arrears, payment terms for all invoices are 30 days from the date of issue. For more information on our billing terms and conditions, or if you are having difficulties paying your water bill, please refer to  please refer to Accounts and billing.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority Charges (MDBA) / Border River Commissions (BRC) WAMC pass-through charge is a recovery of NSW Government contribution to MDBA and BRC (fixed and variable) for WAMC. IPART sets the charges to recover the NSW Government’s contribution to funding the MDBA & BRC to undertake activities under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement and the agreement with the Border Rivers Commission at the amount set by IPART. IPART sets these government charges every four years via a public consultation process. It updates these government charges annually during this period to reflect changes in the consumer price index and changes in demand for WaterNSW’s services. These charges will apply to all water users in NSW’s sections of the Murray-Darling Basin and Border Rivers systems.

These charges will apply to MDBA WAMC customers and BRC WAMC customers as follows:

*MDBA customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Unregulated Rivers in the – Border, Gwydir, Namoi, Peel, Lachlan, Macquarie, Far West, Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys

**BRC customer means a holder of a Water Licence that authorises the taking of water from:

  1. Unregulated Rivers in the – Far West valley

^Please note the minimum annual charge applies in relation to the WAMC charges.

****The Annual scheme management charge is levied on all billable licences including floodplain harvesting licences.

Despite anything in this letter, the maximum price for Monopoly Services under the WAMC and WaterNSW Rural Valley Bulk Water Determination in respect of an Aboriginal Cultural Licence is zero.

WAMC charges are determined by IPART under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 (IPART Act) and the WAMC determination.


Metering service charges for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

The metering service charge (MSC) is calculated and invoiced annually in arrears. You will receive a separate WaterNSW invoice for your metering charges as they are calculated based on your work approval while your entitlement/usage charge is based on your water access licence.

Call our Customer Service Centre on 1300 662 077, if you have a concern regarding the accuracy of the meter. If you elect to have your meter tested, a deposit of $1,990.41 is payable and payment is required prior to testing. If the meter is found to be inaccurate, your deposit will be refunded in full. However, if the meter is found to be within accuracy standards then the total meter accuracy testing charge will be invoiced.

Note, the meter laboratory verification charge at request of customer is $7,873.91 and $5,261.94 for meter in-situ validation charge – where a meter is relocated or disturbed. The meter reset fee after suspension of maintenance for a year or more is $291.72 plus cost of parts.

Annual government-owned meter service charges – non-urban metering reform

The below table represents the government-owned MSC once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform. The list of rollout dates are available here.

TYPE OF CHARGE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
Operating costs (non channel meter) $1,011.21
Operating costs (channel meter)$7,094.30
Capital costs $0
Exit fee $0
Non-telemetered privately-owned meters
WATER TAKE READING/ASSESSMENT CHARGECHARGE
Annual charge $235.53
Telemetered government-owned meters

The below table represents current government-owned MSC. Once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform, the annual government-owned MSC comes into effect based on the compliance date associated with the meter.

METER SIZE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
50-300 mm $584.97
350-700 mm $607.83
750-1000 mm $660.78
Non-telemetered government-owned meters with customer reading and reporting

The below table represents current government-owned MSC. Once a government-owned meter becomes compliant under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering reform, the annual government-owned MSC comes into effect based on the compliance date associated with the meter.

METER SIZE ANNUAL CHARGE PER METER
50-300 mm $458.90
350-700 mm $476.83
750-1000 mm $518.38

Notes for metering service charges

Metering charges are calculated annually in arrears.

The MSC will be triggered as follows:

  1. New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
    1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
    2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
  2. There will be a pro rata between the existing and new MSC as follows
    1. for a:
      1. government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter charge Trigger Day, the charges set out in the current government-owned table will cease to apply and the charges in the annual meter service charges table and the telemetry and non-telemetry service charge table will instead apply; and
      2. privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, will be charged the telemetry and non-telemetry charges.
  3. If customers move from government-owned meter to privately-owned meter, the government meter charges and privately-owned meter charges will be pro rated as follows:
    1. different annual charges apply to government-owned meters and privately-owned meters. Where a licence holder switches from a government-owned meter to a privately-owned meter (or vice versa), the annual charges that will be applicable will be pro-rated based on the proportion of days in the financial year that the licence holder used a:
      1. government-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year; and
      2. privately-owned meter as against the number of days in the financial year.
  4. The telemetry and non-telemetry charges apply based on overall voluntary telemetry uptake to both privately-owned meters and government-owned meters (the telemetry service charge will apply to government-owned meters, if all government-owned meter s are telemetry) The telemetry/non-telemetry charges apply as follows:
    1. for a government-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Government Meter Charge Trigger Day, the:
      1. meter service charge in the government-owned table will cease to apply in respect of that government-owned meter; and
      2. charges in the annual government-owned table will instead apply in respect of that government-owned meter.
    2. for a privately-owned meter installed in respect of a licence holder, on and from the New Private Meter Charge Trigger Day, unless the meter is not subject to the metering requirements, the:
      1. reading / assessment charge will cease to apply in respect of that privately-owned meter; and
      2. the annual telemetry and non-telemetry charges will instead apply in respect of that privately-owned meter.
  5. The trigger for these new charges are as follows:
    1. new Government Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a government-owned meter, the later of:
      1. the day the meter becomes compliant with the metering requirements; and
      2. if there is a date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter, that date.
    2. new Private Meter Charge Trigger Day means, in respect of a privately-owned meter, the date specified in clause 230 of the Water Management Regulation from which a temporary exemption from the mandatory metering equipment condition would cease to have effect in respect of the meter.

2023-24 Telemetry and non-telemetry service charge

Telemetry and non-telemetry service charge for 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

The telemetry and non-telemetry service charge applies to both government-owned and privately-owned meters.

The NSW Government will provide a rebate of $975 to all privately-owned meters when a working telemetry device is installed. This will offset the telemetry service charge until the rebate is exhausted.

The estimated proportion of voluntary telemetry uptake submitted to IPART for FY24 is 0% - 25%, therefore the following charge applies.

PROPORTION OF VOLUNTARY TELEMETRY UPTAKE ANNUAL TELEMETRY SERVICE CHARGE PER METER ANNUAL NON-TELEMETRY SERVICE CHARGE PER METER
0% - 25% $254.80$254.80

If you install telemetry on your local intelligence device (LID), your annual telemetry service charge listed above will be automatically credited on your WaterNSW bill each year until you reach the total rebate amount of $975 – just over four years.

The rebate is not available to water users with a government-owned meter.

For more information on metering and the telemetry rebate, visit Non-urban metering.

2023-24 Application fees for water access licences, dealings and approvals

Application fees for water access licences, dealings and approvals
TYPE OF APPLICATIONFEE
New water access licences
Zero Share $805.92
Controlled allocation $784.07
Specific purpose – groundwater assessment required $3,681.77
Specific purpose – no groundwater assessment required $817.75
Water access licence dealings
Dealings – unregulated and groundwater (except low risk and administrative) - groundwater assessment required $5,589.27
Dealings – unregulated and groundwater (except low risk and administrative) - groundwater assessment not required $2,725.26
Dealings – unregulated and groundwater with low risk $1,234.92
Dealings – unregulated and groundwater admin $545.49
Dealings - regulated rivers $852.95
Water allocation assignments 
Regulated applications $56.16
Unregulated and groundwater applications $56.87
Approvals
New or amended works and/ or use approvals (All unless specified below as low risk, basic landholder rights or administrative) - groundwater assessments required $7,925.04
New or amended works and/ or use approvals (All unless specified below as low risk, basic landholder rights or administrative) - groundwater assessments not required $5,061.02
New or amended works and/ or use approvals low risk - groundwater assessments required $5,606.22
New or amended works and/ or use approvals low risk - groundwater assessments not required $2,742.21
New basic landholder right bore - groundwater assessment required $1,166.90
New basic landholder right bore - groundwater assessment not required $1,004.93
Amended approval administrative - groundwater assessments required $3,467.52

Amended approval administrative - groundwater assessments not required

This applies to:

  • Construct a replacement bore consistent with water sharing plan rules (no hydro assessment)
  • Remove lands/works
  • Consolidate Approvals ONLY where there is no change to the existing works
  • Subdivide an Approval
  • Make a work/s inactive or withdraw inactive status
$603.50
Extension of approval – lodged before expiry date $580.47
Extension of approval – lodged after expiry date $1,072.82

Notes for application fees

These fees are determined by IPART.

WaterNSW collects the groundwater assessment fee on behalf of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW). NSW DCCEEW hydrogeologists are responsible for undertaking the groundwater assessment, when required.

WaterNSW charges fees to cover the assessment and processing costs of applications for access licences, water supply work approvals, water use approvals and access licence dealings lodged under the Water Management Act 2000 (Water Management Act).

These fees will increase annually, based on changes in the consumer price index. Fees are exempt from GST.
A ‘new’ work approval means any work proposed which is not currently listed on a water approval or is replacing an existing work which is listed on a water approval.

Consent transactions in relation to Monopoly Services provided by WAMC.

Consent transactions in relation to drillers licences, floodwork approvals, and solicitor enquiries and special meter reads are not disclosed, as they have not been regulated by IPART and are deemed to be unregulated services.

Impact and rules-based assessments:
Applications generally require a detailed impact assessment. This includes case by case investigation to consider potential local impacts and determine whether those impacts require refusal or consent, or consent subject to conditions.

Depending on the type of transaction, impact assessment can include identifying and addressing impacts on adjoining pumps or bores, Aboriginal heritage sites, native vegetation, threatened species, wetlands, land degradation, salinity, soil compaction, geomorphic instability, hydrology, water logging, acidity, contamination and water quality, in addition to consideration and resolution of any lodged objections. In some cases where significant risks are identified, WaterNSW may require the applicant to commission third-party experts to determine the extent of those risks and how they might be mitigated.

Applications determined by IPART which are identified as ‘low risk’ are processed with a rules-based assessment which does not require the above detailed impact assessment.

Lower fees are charged for transactions which are identified as ‘low risk’.

WAMC charges are determined by IPART under the IPART Act and the WAMC determination. The reasons are:

  1. Section 11 of the IPART Act gives IPART a standing reference to conduct investigations and make reports to the Minister administering the IPART Act on the determination of the pricing for a government monopoly service supplied by a government agency specified in Schedule 1 of the IPART Act.
  2. The Water Administration Ministerial Corporation (Corporation) is listed in Schedule 1 of the IPART Act.
  3. The services which are declared as government monopoly services under clause 3 of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (Water Services) Order 2004 are services supplied by the Corporation which involve:
    1. the making available of water;
    2. the making available of the Corporation’s water supply facilities; or
    3. the supplying of water, whether by means of the Corporation’s water supply facilities or otherwise, (together, the  Monopoly Services).
  4. Under section 4(6) of the IPART Act, the Corporation is taken to be the supplier of the services for which fees and  charges are payable under Chapter 3 of the Water Management Act.
  5. In practice, charges for such water resource management activities are made as charges under licences, permits,  approvals or authorities granted by:
    1. the Minister under Chapter 3 of the Water Management Act (in areas of NSW in which proclamations under  sections 55A and 88A of the Water Management Act are in force); and
    2. the Corporation under the Water Act (in other areas of NSW).
  6. Accordingly, in determining maximum prices for the Monopoly Services, IPART has determined maximum prices  payable for these services under various licences, permits, approvals or authorities granted under the Water Management Act and the Water Act.
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One-part and two-part tariffs

Regulated river licence holders are all required to meter their water take and are billed under the two-part tariff.

The NSW Government has introduced a non-urban water metering framework which commenced on 1 December 2018 putting in place new metering requirements across the state. From 1 December 2020, all users with pump sizes 500mm or larger will be required to comply with the metering requirements. The staged rollout for metering requirements will continue until 2024.

Please note for water users captured under the NSW Government’s non-urban metering framework, if you have recording and reporting requirements and fail to comply with them, you will be charged under a one-part tariff.

Visit our metering webpage for more information.

The water management charges for your unregulated river or groundwater licence can be billed under a one or two-part tariff. This billing structure might act as an incentive for customers to have their water take metered or assessed.

If you are billed under the one-part tariff, the entitlement charge is applied to your licence volumetric ML entitlement or unit shares.

Under the two-part tariff your water take is metered or assessed and you are billed for:

  • lower entitlement charge (than under the one part tariff) applied to your licence volumetric ML entitlement or unit shares
  • water take charge applied to your ML of usage
  • water take reading/assessments charge or a meter service charge (if your meter is a corporation meter)

Having your water take assessed

Metering your water take is the best way to determine how much water you used during the billing period and provide WaterNSW with evidence of your water use. Metering your water take will also provide you with accurate, real time information you can use to improve your water efficiency and achieve cost savings.

Dispute resolution
If you have a dispute with any charges on your bill, please refer to our dispute resolution policy.

Hardship Policy
WaterNSW are committed to helping customers who may require affordability difficulties to keep their water flowing. If you are having difficulties paying your water bill please refer to our Debt Management Code of Practice.

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WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more