Seqwater and Sunwater irrigation pricing

The Queensland Government sets the price of irrigation water supplied by Seqwater in South-East Queensland and Sunwater elsewhere in Queensland.

In setting irrigation prices, we seek to strike a balance between:

  • cost recovery for the services provided
  • impacts on customers
  • keeping prices as simple and transparent as possible.

This content provides information on current irrigation prices and explains how prices are set.

Irrigation prices for 2025–27

The Queensland Government accepted the independent Queensland Competition Authority's recommended prices for 2025–26 and 2026–27 and will continue the 15% discount for eligible irrigators.

Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme

The 15% discount will be available through the Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme.

  • The Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme will be administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
  • You must pay your bill from Seqwater or Sunwater (including Burnett Water) first. After that, you can apply to QRIDA to get the discount as a rebate.
  • The rebate is targeted to owner-operated businesses.

Eligibility for the rebate

The eligibility requirements for the rebate include:

  • You, or at least one owner of your business, provide labour to your business.
  • Your business, or at least one owner of your business, declares primary production income for tax purposes.
  • Your business uses water for irrigation from time to time.
  • Your business is not wholly or partly operated or owned by:
    • a public company
    • a managed investment scheme
    • a foreign company
    • a superannuation entity other than a self-managed superannuation fund.

How to apply for the rebate

  • Apply online via the QRIDA portal or submit a paper form.
  • Call QRIDA on 1800 623 946 (toll free) to receive the application form by post.
  • You can apply with each bill or consolidate your bills in one application at any time before 31 December 2027. Proof of payment is required.

Irrigation prices beyond 2026–27

Beyond 2026–27 the irrigation prices set by the government will only apply to Sunwater and Seqwater customers who have been certified as eligible owner-operated businesses.

The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) will complete a targeted review to provide advice on the potential use of a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) approach to pricing. This advice will be considered before the government sets prices to apply from 1 July 2027.

How irrigation prices are set

Prices are set following a review process involving the state's independent regulator, the QCA. Reviews generally cover a 4–5-year period.

For its reviews, the QCA undertakes comprehensive analysis and consults widely. It provides advice on key issues and the amount of prudent (i.e. necessary) and efficient costs to be recovered in prices.

The QCA then recommends prices to the government, which makes the final decision on prices. The recommendations must be consistent with pricing policies specified by the government.

Pricing policies

The government's key policy, known as 'lower bound' pricing, is generally for prices to move towards recovering the irrigation share of the scheme's operating, maintenance and refurbishment costs, but not any share of the initial costs of building any assets constructed before 2000 or any share of dam safety upgrade costs.

The government provides a subsidy known as a community service obligation (CSO) payment to Seqwater and Sunwater from the Queensland budget when prices are set below the level necessary for Seqwater and Sunwater to meet the operating, maintenance and refurbishment costs to supply water for irrigation.

Read about CSOs in the Budget 2025-26 Strategy outlook Appendix A (PDF, 385KB) which lists all government concessions. Details of the irrigation concessions are on page 142.

Your water bill

Your water bill from Seqwater or Sunwater for irrigation water includes 2 types of prices:

  • fixed prices – Part A and Part C (if applicable) based on the amount of allocation you hold
  • volumetric prices – Part B and Part D (if applicable) based on the amount of water you use.

Also consider...

Find out more about Seqwater water supply schemes and Sunwater water supply schemes.

View a map showing the location of Queensland's irrigation scheme areas (PDF, 94KB) managed by Seqwater and Sunwater.

Go to the QRIDA webpage about the Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme to:

  • view scheme guidelines, including eligibility criteria and documentation required
  • view frequently asked questions
  • apply online through via the QRIDA portal
  • download a paper application form.

Contact QRIDA:

Go to the QCA webpage about the current review to:

  • view the direction to the QCA
  • view the timeline of the review
  • find out how to get involved in the QCA consultation process.