Apply for a new water licence or additional entitlement
The NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) is responsible for processing and determining applications for new water access licences and entitlement by local water utilities.
The Water Utilities branch of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment provides technical advice to NRAR to inform its decision.
Applying for a new water access licence with the category ‘local water utility’ or subcategory ‘town water supply’
To apply for a new water access licence with the subcategory ‘domestic and commercial’ or ‘town water supply', complete the steps below.
1. Before you submit a licence application
Contact the Water Utilities Branch of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to check what information you need to provide with your application to demonstrate the purpose and circumstances relating to the licence, and the minimum volume of water required to meet that purpose and circumstance
Contact NRAR about making an application for the licence. Let NRAR know if you have already contacted the Water Utilities branch.
Contact the Water Utilities Branch of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to check what information you need to provide with your application to demonstrate the purpose and circumstances relating to the licence, and the minimum volume of water required to meet that purpose and circumstance
Contact NRAR about making an application for the licence. Let NRAR know if you have already contacted the Water Utilities branch.
2. Submit your completed licence application form to NRAR
See NRAR: How to apply for a Water access licence.
Make sure you include all the information requested by the Water Utilities branch and NRAR.
Failure to include the requested information may delay NRAR’s determination of your application, or NRAR may refuse to grant the water access licence.
See NRAR: How to apply for a Water access licence.
Make sure you include all the information requested by the Water Utilities branch and NRAR.
Failure to include the requested information may delay NRAR’s determination of your application, or NRAR may refuse to grant the water access licence.
3. Register your new water access licence
If NRAR grants the water access licence, contact NSW Land Registry Services (LRS) to record your new water access licence on the Water Access Licence Register so the licence takes effect.
You have six months to register your new licence from the day NRAR notifies you that the licence has been granted. NRAR will provide instructions on how to contact LRS.
If NRAR grants the water access licence, contact NSW Land Registry Services (LRS) to record your new water access licence on the Water Access Licence Register so the licence takes effect.
You have six months to register your new licence from the day NRAR notifies you that the licence has been granted. NRAR will provide instructions on how to contact LRS.
4. Nominate a water supply work
Contact WaterNSW to make an application to nominate a water supply work on your registered water access licence. You can only take water under the licence using an approved nominated water supply work unless an exemption applies.
Water supply works are the infrastructure used to take water from a water source. Examples of water supply works are water pumps, water bores, dams, weirs and levees. Constructing and using a water supply work must be authorised by a water supply work approval unless an exemption applies. More information on water supply works is available at:
Contact WaterNSW to make an application to nominate a water supply work on your registered water access licence. You can only take water under the licence using an approved nominated water supply work unless an exemption applies.
Water supply works are the infrastructure used to take water from a water source. Examples of water supply works are water pumps, water bores, dams, weirs and levees. Constructing and using a water supply work must be authorised by a water supply work approval unless an exemption applies. More information on water supply works is available at:
Licence and additional entitlement application contacts
To apply for additional water entitlement under 66(4) of the Water Management Act 2000 contact the Water Utilities Branch of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to check what information you need to provide. Complete our online form or phone 02 9338 6600.
To contact NRAR about submitting your application, email nrar.enquiries@nrar.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 633 362.
To contact WaterNSW about nominating a water supply work, email Customer.Helpdesk@waternsw.com.au or phone 1300 662 077.