South Australian Murray-Darling Basin
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
Find out whether you need to apply for a water licence or permit.
Download forms for specific prescribed wells and water resources areas from the list below and apply using the instructions on the forms.
For questions about the forms below phone (08) 8595 2053.
If you are required to meter, the type of meter selected, it’s installation and the way it is maintained must be in accordance with the South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Policy and Specification.
If you have installed, replaced, moved, repaired or removed a water meter, please call your regional water licencing office to provide the details to the department.
To apply for an activity relating to wells, well driller's licences, security interests and using effluent or imported water, please use a statewide form.
Find out more information about other water affecting activities within the SA Murray-Darling Basin, including dam works, construction and excavation in and around watercourses, destroying vegetation in and around a watercourse and discharging water into a watercourse.
Permits and licences are required for the following water resources areas because they are covered 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.
From 1 July 2017, foreign persons are required to register their interests in registerable water entitlements and contractual water rights on the Register of Foreign Ownership of Water Entitlements. To find out more and how to register, follow this link.
Notice: New Information Requirements for Trade/Transfer Forms
The following information is now required in relation to applications to trade or transfer water:
- Strike date (date the price was agreed) must be recorded where requested.
- Reason for trade must be accurately specified.
Furthermore, in accordance with the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Act 2023, new obligations became mandatory on 1 July 2024 for persons making trade applications to ensure that information is comprehensive and accurate and to keep records regarding reason for trade and trade price for a minimum of five years. For more information, please visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website (DCCEEW).
Angas Bremer
| Form |
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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. |
Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges
| Form |
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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. |
Mallee
| Form |
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| 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. |
Marne Saunders
| Form |
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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. |
Peake, Roby and Sherlock
| Form |
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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. |
River Murray
Please note: online water licence and permit application forms are no longer available. You will soon be able to lodge water licence and permit applications online through South Australia’s new mywater portal. We will be supporting water users to get set up to use mywater over the next 12 months. In the interim, please use the PDF versions of all our water licence and permit application forms linked below.
| Form |
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L4 Transfer water access entitlement on transformation of irrigation right |
S1 New site use approval. Applications are subject to a salinity zoning policy. Please see the salinity zone boundary maps before you apply. |
S2 Vary site use approval. Applications are subject to a salinity zoning policy. Please see the salinity zone boundary maps before you apply. |
| T3 Use an interstate water allocation that is tagged for use to a South Australian extraction point |
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. |
