Drilling wells

Drilling wells to access groundwater requires a well permit and work must be done by a licensed driller.

Using a licensed driller to construct, decommission or undertake maintenance work on a well helps ensure that South Australia’s groundwater resources are protected.

The department is responsible for:

ensuring that only those drillers who meet the required standard are licensed
monitoring drillers’ to ensure drilling works continue to meet legislated standards
issuing well permits authorising the construction of new wells, and work on existing wells
managing the right to take water
applying for a permit to drill a well does not guarantee access to water. This is a separate water licensing process and you are encouraged to talk to the department about any proposed well drilling activity and about whether you need a water licence to take the water.

Do you need a well construction permit?

You need a permit for:

drilling, plugging, backfilling or sealing of a well
repairing, replacing or altering the casing, lining or screening of a well.

Apply for a permit.

Conditions of a well construction permit

Once the well permit is issued approving the drilling activity, a licensed driller must be engaged and the driller must have sighted the well permit before carrying out the drilling activities. Drillers must supply the department with a completed drillers well construction report on the approved form within 30 days of completion of the drilling.

Complete the drillers well construction report.

Watch the guide on how to complete a drillers well completion report for drilling activities authorised by a well permit in South Australia: