About the water market

The Queensland water market allows individuals, businesses and organisations to trade water authorisations (water allocations and water licences) in accordance with trading rules.

A number of separate markets operate in Queensland depending on where you are located and the type of water authorisation you hold.

Anyone can participate in the water market by trading. Participation is voluntary and prices are set by the market.

Benefits of engaging in the water market

Buying or selling water can:

  • increase your available water supplies
  • improve reliability of your access to water
  • give you more options to help manage your water
  • provide financial returns from selling your excess water
  • support alternative water uses that generate higher returns.

Before you trade

Queensland has many different markets based on the location and type of water authorisation being traded. Before you trade in the water market, consider:

  • your own water needs
  • the reliability of the water supply.

Generally, water supplied from infrastructure such as dams or weirs is more reliable (known as supplemented water). Water that is not delivered by infrastructure has lower reliability as it is dependent on naturally flowing watercourses, lakes or springs (known as unsupplemented water).

You can trade water authorisations permanently, temporarily or by leasing.

Temporary trade is also known as a seasonal water assignment (SWA).

How to trade

To learn the steps to trade in the water market, explore our interactive tool.

You will be taken through a series of questions based on how you want to trade in the water market. At the end of the process, you will be provided with the information you need to start trading.

Can I trade?

Trade responsibilities

You are responsible for conducting a fair trade and ensuring that you comply with your trade rights and obligations.

When trading water, you must comply with the Fair Trading Act 1989 and Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Read more about your trade rights and responsibilities.

Queensland Murray-Darling Basin

If you are trading in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin, you must comply with additional trade obligations. You must also provide accurate information on all trade forms including personal information or information that is commercially sensitive or commercial in confidence.

This supports data transparency and the reporting requirements of the Australian Government.