Processing your water extraction licence application

When you apply for a water extraction licence, your application goes through a process to decide if it will be approved or denied.

Once your application is received, it goes through the below steps.

You can also read more about this in the processing water extraction licence applications policy PDF (771.7 KB).

Step 1. Application is received

The department will confirm receipt of your application and provide you with a reference number.

You can use this reference number if you have enquiries about your application.

Step 2. Application is assessed

An assessment will be carried out. This includes checking that the application is complete and has the required supporting documents based on your application tier.

Step 3. Application is accepted

After your application is assessed, you'll be advised of the results of the assessment.

Based on the results of the assessment, you may be asked if you would like to revise, withdraw or continue with the application.

Your response will determine if the processing of the application will continue.

The time from submission to acceptance can take from 10 to 60 business days, depending on your application tier.

Step 4. Notice of intention is published

Once you agree to continue with the application, the water controller must:

• publish a notice of intention to make a water extraction licence decision in the newspaper
• send the notice to the owners and occupants of all the land next to where the water will be taken and used.

The notice must include an invitation to make written comments about the application within 30 days of the notice being published.

You must pay for the publishing of this notice.

For more information, read the publishing notices under the Water Act operational policy PDF (437.7 KB).

Step 5. Water controller makes a decision

After the public comment period, the water controller must make a decision to grant or refuse the application.

The controller’s decision must take into account:

• all comments received
• any relevant factors set out under the Act.

After this, you'll get a:

• statement of decision
• licence with terms and conditions, where applicable.

Step 6. Decision is published

The controller must publish a notice of water extraction licence decision in the same newspaper in which the initial notice of intention was published.

This must be done within 20 business days of the decision. It's paid for by the department.

The notice of decision includes:

• a brief statement of the reasons for the decision
• where you can access a copy of the full statement of decision.

All decisions are also published on the water licensing portal where you can read the full decision.