Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges
Notice: Change in Forms Availability
- The online forms you could previously access via DEW’s website are not compatible with our new system. You will soon be able to lodge water licence and permit applications online through South Australia’s new mywater portal. We are supporting water users to get set up to use mywater over the next 12 months.
- In the interim, you can download PDF versions of all our water licence and permit application forms on the relevant pages below.
Water licence and permit forms
Download forms for specific prescribed water resources areas from the list below and apply using the instructions on the forms.
To apply for an activity relating to wells, well driller's licences, notations of interest, using effluent or imported water and general meter testing, please use a statewide form.
A water broker may be able to assist with trade and transfer processes.
Find out whether you need to apply for a water licence or permit.
If you have questions about the water licences or permits, please phone the relevant number below.
For water licence enquiries:
- relating to the Barossa PWRA – (08) 8595 2053
- for all other prescribed water resources listed below –(08) 8463 6876
For water affecting activity enquiries:
- relating to a dam or watercourse (eg. creating or enlarging a dam; building a structure in a watercourse etc.) - please contact your Landscape Board: (08) 8391 7500 for Hills & Fleurieu, (08) 8463 3733 for Green Adelaide or (08) 8841 3444 for Northern & Yorke
- relating to wells (eg. drilling, backfilling, repairing, replacing etc.) – (08) 8735 1134
Permits and licences are required for the following water resources in accordance with the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Most of these resources are also managed by a Water Allocation Plan (WAP). A WAP is a legal document that sets out the rules for managing the take and use of prescribed water resources areas to ensure resource sustainability. Find out more information about what a WAP is and why they are important.
A water broker may be able to assist with trade and transfer processes.
Adelaide Plains
The Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan became operational on 1 July 2022. There are new forms available for certain applications that specifically relate to water licences and water allocations of the three prescribed wells areas of:
- Central Adelaide
- Dry Creek
- Northern Adelaide Plains
To learn more about the water allocation plan and information sheets on topics such as transfers, please visit the Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan page.
If you are considering transferring water in the Adelaide Plains and you are unsure of your consumptive pool, please contact the Water Licensing team on (08) 8463 6876.
Additionally, for transfers in the T1 Northern Adelaide Plains or T2 Northern Adelaide Plains Consumptive Pools, you may find this online tool useful.
| Form |
|---|
| New water licence |
| Transfer water licence or part of water licence |
| Transfer water allocation (12 month limit) |
| Transfer water licence (use for land sale/rental) |
Barossa
| Form |
|---|
Note: The Department for Environment and Water no longer provides special meter reads and licence holders are now required to read and submit their own meter readings. To find out more about self-reads visit I need help to do a self-read. To lodge a self-read complete the Meter Reading Form. |
Little Para
| Form |
|---|
McLaren Vale
| Form |
|---|
*Please ensure a current meter read for transferor is provided with submission of Application to transfer water allocation in McLaren Vale Prescribed Wells Area. Failure to provide a current read may delay processing of applications. |
Note: The Department for Environment and Water no longer provides special meter reads and licence holders are now required to read and submit their own meter readings. To find out more about self-reads visit I need help to do a self-read. To lodge a self-read complete the Meter Reading Form. |
Further information
- A water use year runs from 1 July to 30 June in the following calendar year. Water allocation transfers must be submitted by close of business 30 June of the required water use year.
- The water allocation transfer application requires information about your well(s). To check your details go to the Groundwater Data System or Water Register.
- Your application will be assessed against the general principles contained in Section 6 of the water allocation plan. Refer to the explanatory guide to the water allocation plan for more information.
Western Mount Lofty Ranges
Please note there are currently restrictions in place for some activities in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges. It is recommended that you contact Water Licensing on 8463 6876 to confirm the current status of these restrictions.
| Transfer water allocation |
Note: The Department for Environment and Water no longer provides special meter reads and licence holders are now required to read and submit their own meter readings. To find out more about self-reads visit I need help to do a self-read. To lodge a self-read complete the Meter Reading Form. |
Further information
- Water licences and/or water allocations can be either temporarily or permanently transferred. All transfer applications must be in accordance with the rules set out in the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Water Allocation Plan. Find out more information about water trading/transfers within the Western Mount Lofty Ranges.
- A key consideration when lodging an application to transfer groundwater allocation should be the capacity to allow for additional allocations within a groundwater management zone. The transfer of allocation must not result in the extraction limit for the receiving management zone to be exceeded (or further exceeded). Confirm the demand by viewing the latest map of the Groundwater Management Zone Allocation Status.
