Water assist
Not sure where to start with your water licence or approval enquiry?
Water Assist is an easy step-by-step tool to help you find the information and support you need for water licensing and approvals.
About zero share access licences
A zero share access licence is a type of water access licence.
A water access licence is required to extract water from rivers or aquifers, with some exceptions. A set volume of water is allocated (or credited) to a water access licence. This is known as water access licence ‘shares’. The zero share licence holder is permitted to take the allocation of water credited to the water access licence from a specified water source in accordance with the licence conditions on the water access licence and water supply work approval.
A zero share access licence has no shares (0 ML) and no water allocated to it. To take water from a river or aquifer you must:
- purchase or lease shares from another licence holder, or
- purchase water allocations before taking water
Once the water is acquired, the shares can be added to your zero share licence by way of a water access licence dealing application. WaterNSW manages all water access licence dealings.
Management of zero share access licences
The department and WaterNSW share responsibility for granting and managing approvals for zero access share licences.
The department issues licences and approvals for:
- government agencies – local, state and Australian
- state-owned corporations
- water utilities, water supply authorities and licensed network operators under the Water Industry Competition Act 2006
- mining activities
- irrigation corporations
- public schools and hospitals
- Aboriginal communities and businesses
- State significant development and infrastructure.
WaterNSW issues licences and approvals for all other applicants and all water access licence dealings.
Find more information about what each agency does at: Water agencies
Exemptions
Not everyone needs a water access licence. To determine if an exemption applies to your activities see: Exemptions for water licences and approvals
Apply for a new zero share access licence
A zero share access licence is a type of water access licence. You need a water access licence to take water from a water source which is subject to a water sharing plan unless an exemption applies. It is an offence to take water from a water source without a water access licence.
Before you apply
Find out which water agency will assess your application. The department and WaterNSW share responsibility for granting and managing approvals for zero share access licences.
Confirm that you are not exempt. Not everyone needs a Water access licence. To determine if an exemption applies to your activities see: Exemptions for water licences and approvals
Review the application form PDF, 296.94 KB and gather all required supporting documents. Please read the application form and have the required information handy before you start your application. A guide to completing the application PDF, 146.27 KB is also available.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
How to apply
- Print or download the application form.
- Complete the application form.
- Scan or save the completed application form, ready to email.
- Send the completed application form to the department by email to: waterlicensing.servicedesk@dpie.nsw.gov.au
- Pay the application fee by credit/debit card (see below).
Include in your email:
- subject title: Zero share access licence application + location of work/s
- short message stating you are applying for a new zero share access licence
- your contact details
- completed and signed application form and any supporting documents (as a PDF file)
Application fees
| Approval type | Application fee | Additional fees (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| New zero share access licence | $1,349.90 | N/A |
- Fees are charged to cover the cost of assessing applications.
- Once your application has been accepted, an officer from the department will call you to take your payment by credit/debit card.
- Application fees are non-refundable for change of mind or where an application is not granted or refused.
- More information at: Application fees
Assessment timeframes
Applications are assessed within 45 working days.
Find more information at: Assessment timeframes
To check the status of an existing application for a zero share access licence, if the assessment timeframe has passed, contact water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Apply for a new zero share access licence
Change a zero share access licence (dealing)
Changes to an existing zero share access licence are known as dealings, which are managed by WaterNSW.
Surrender a zero share access licence
You can surrender your zero share access licence if it is no longer required.
How to surrender a zero share access licence
- Contact the department to request a notice to surrender a water access licence at water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
- Check if the information about your water access licence is correct.
- Consider the water allocation account balance and undertake any water dealings as required. Negative water allocation account balances are not permitted. Water allocation may be traded prior to the specified surrender date. Check with WaterNSW if you are unsure.
- Ensure that security interests over the water access licence, including mortgages or caveats, are discharged or withdrawn.
- Check that you have the original water access licence certificate of title.
Do not send it to the department.
It must be sent to WaterNSW by registered post: Water NSW, Licensing, PO Box 398, Parramatta NSW 2124.- If you do not have the original certificate of title, you must make a declaration as to why you do not have it and provide a copy of a recent water access licence title search to the department. For a water access licence title search, contact NSW Land Registry Service on their website or on 02 8776 3575.
- Send the completed notice to surrender water access licence and title search (if applicable) to waterlicensing.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
- Note that the signatures on the form must be in accordance with the Companies Act 2007 (for companies) and the relevant authorised person/s for all other entities.
- The department will contact WaterNSW to find out if there are any charges owed in relation to the water access licence, including water management charges or civil penalties. The payout figure will be sent to you to pay. Once paid, send the receipt to the department.
- The surrender process will continue with NSW Land Registry Services being notified and the water access licence will be removed from the NSW Water Register.
Assessment fees
There is no fee to surrender a zero share access licence.
Assessment timeframes
The estimated timeframe to process a request to surrender a flood work approval will be given when the request is lodged.
To check the status of your request contact water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au