Apply, renew or upgrade a water drilling licence

To get a NT water bore drilling licence, you must have skills and knowledge that meet standards set by Water Resources.

This is to make sure NT groundwater resources are protected.

To apply, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in application

You must fill in the application for:

• drilling licence PDF (248.5 KB)
• drilling licence DOCX (103.8 KB).

Step 2. Attach photos and supporting documents

With your application, you must attach:

• two current passport photos
• six statements of bore signed by you and your supervisor for the class and each endorsement that you're applying for.

You must also make sure you have the right qualifications, skills and experience.

To support your application, you can supply referee reports and course certificates.

Read more about water drilling licences.

Step 3. Submit application

Submit your application, photos and supporting documents to your local Water Resources office.

Step 4. Complete the exam

Once you submit your application, you must complete the Module A exam.

This exam is provided by the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security.

It's a competency based exam that looks at your understanding of the Water Act 2007 and Water Regulations 2008.

You must complete the exam within 30 days of receipt.

You must also pass with a mark of 80% or higher.

Assessment of application

Once you have completed the Module A exam, your application will be assessed by the department.

They will also advise you of the outcome of your application.

To upgrade your NT water bore drilling licence, you must follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application

You must fill in the application for:

• drilling licence PDF (248.5 KB)
• drilling licence DOCX (103.8 KB).

Step 2. Attach photos and supporting documents

With your application, you must attach:

• two current passport photos
• six statements of bore signed by you and your supervisor for the class and each endorsement that you're applying for.

You must also make sure you have the right qualifications, skills and experience.

To support your application, you can supply referee reports and course certificates.

Read more about water drilling licences.

Step 3. Submit the application

Submit your application, photos and supporting documents to your local Water Resources office.

Step 4. Complete the exam

Complete the Module B exam for the upgraded class and endorsements you're seeking.

This exam is provided by the Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee.

When you pass the Module B exam, your application will be forwarded to the:

• Drillers Qualification Advisory Committee and
• the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security who will approve your licence.

The department may also contact you for more information about your application.

To apply for an interstate conversion, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in form

You must fill in the:

• interstate driller licence conversion form DOCX (66.7 KB)
• interstate driller licence conversion form PDF (147.4 KB).

Step 2. Fill in and attach the exam

With your form, you must also fill in and attach the Module A Exam, which requires you to:

• answer a series of questions
• complete the statement of bore including a composite bore log for the example provided.

Exam Module A (form S49) DOCX (67.5 KB)

Exam Module A (form S49) PDF (186.2 KB).

Step 3. Attach photos

Attach two current passport photos with your form and exam.

Step 4. Submit form, exam and photos

Submit your form by email to water.licensing@nt.gov.au with:

• the Module A Exam including the statement of bore and composite bore log
• your two passport photos.