Trading in your state/territory

Victoria

The legislative framework for the water market in Victoria is established through the Water Act 1989 (Vic). The Trade Approval Authority responsible is the relevant water corporation (as delegate of the Minister for Water). Trades of entitlement must be recorded by the Water Registrar to take effect.

Intrastate Water Access Entitlement (Water Share in Victoria) Trades

The process for transferring ownership of a water access entitlement requires the customer to do two steps:

1. Submit an application for approval of the transfer to the water corporation. The customer will receive a letter detailing the outcome of the application. If the application is approved, this letter will include a pre-filled registration form.
2. For approved applications, the buyer and seller can then settle the transaction. The customer must also then submit the registration form to the Victorian Water Registrar within two months of approval to record the transfer of ownership of the water share.

Interstate Water Access Entitlements Trades

If an owner (or intending owner) of a water share wishes to tag that share to an interstate location, the owner must send a completed application to the water authority in both the state of origin and state of destination.

The approval authority in each jurisdiction assesses the application and makes a decision about whether to approve or reject. The approval authorities in each jurisdiction will then notify each other of the outcome of the application. The buyer and seller will then be notified by their respective water authorities.

Water Allocation Trades

The trade of a water allocation is initiated by a single form submitted manually (including by fax and email) to the water corporation.

For further information about the water trading process in Victoria see the Victorian Water Register  web site or click on the links below.