NSW Government
Water

Groundwater access licence exemptions

You don’t need a groundwater water access licence for taking 3ML or less per year if it’s not taken for consumption or supply. A temporary exemption also applies to water taken for eligible construction projects in designated coastal areas, subject to con

Toonumbar Dam.

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Groundwater access licence exemptions

The following groundwater exemptions apply only to water access licences. If you rely on an exemption, you must still obtain any other relevant approvals, such as a water supply work approval.

Exemption: less than 3 megalitres (ML)

You do not need a water access licence if you take 3ML or less of groundwater per year from any water source (3ML or less exemption). This exemption applies only to aquifer interference activities where water is not taken for consumption or supply. Examples include:

  • temporary dewatering to allow safe and efficient excavation during building construction, but not used for irrigation or town water supply
  • pumping tests to investigate the water sources production capability, aquifer properties and interference impacts for other water users
  • remediation of groundwater contamination
  • exploration for minerals, petroleum or coal.

Exemption: coastal construction of infrastructure

A temporary water access licence exemption applies to any volume of groundwater taken in connection with the construction (but not ongoing maintenance) of buildings and infrastructure in designated coastal areas.

The exemption applies only for water taken within specified coastal water sharing plan areas (generally to the east of the Great Dividing Range) and is valid until 30 June 2029.

To benefit from the exemption, construction must occur within the coastal water sharing plan areas and meet all relevant conditions, including that all water taken be recorded and reported. All other approval requirements remain in place and unchanged.

View a map and find more information about the areas affected

  • Water Sharing Plan for the Bega River Area Regulated, Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2024
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Bellinger River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2020
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Brunswick Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Central Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Clarence River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Clyde River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Coffs Harbour Area Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Deua River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Greater Metropolitan Region Groundwater Sources 2023
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Hastings Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2019
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Regulated River Water Source 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2022
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Macleay Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Nambucca Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the North Coast Coastal Sands Groundwater Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the North Coast Fractured and Porous Rock Groundwater Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Paterson Regulated River Water Source 2019
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Richmond River Area Unregulated, Regulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2023
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Snowy Genoa Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the South Coast Groundwater Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Towamba River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2023
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Tuross River Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2016
  • Water Sharing Plan for the Tweed River Area Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2023

Recording and reporting water take

If you rely on an exemption and the department manages your water licence, you are still required to record and report your water take within 28 days of the water year finishing (by 28 July).

You must:

  1. Download and complete the  Record of groundwater take under exemption (PDF, 275.59 KB)  form
  2. Send the completed form to nrar.enquiries@nrar.nsw.gov.au or mail to:

Natural Resources Access Regulator
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

More information

These fact sheets will help you to decide whether either exemption applies.