Metering Policy, Regulations & Resource Materials by State & Territory

The NSW Government is committed to implementing a robust metering framework to improve the standard and coverage of non-urban water meters across NSW. This is an important step in helping to build community confidence in how the state’s water is managed.

Visit NSW Govt Website

The NSW Government have produced FAQ’s for Duly Qualified Persons and there are also FAQ’s available for the DQP Portal. There is further information on the DQP Portal and frequently asked questions on this website.

Read the Guide on Non-urban water metering in NSW from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to learn what water users need to know.

For assistance with metering requirements Use the Online Metering Guidance Tool

Information can be found on the NSW Government website about their NSW Water Meter Policy

DQP Portal - New Tutorial Videos Available

WaterNSW has prepared new videos for CMIs/DQPs to assist in using the DQP Portal. There are eight videos in this series:

View Videos

A Guide to Metering on Portable Pumps in NSW

Read the guide

I need a meter in NSW, what now? - NSW metering rules

This video by the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association steps you through the NSW metering tool to help you work out if you need a meter or telemetry. It also shows you how to find a duly qualified person near you that can provide you with expert advice on what meter to install and install that meter for you.

Watch the video

Non-urban Water Meter Integration Guide -Desktop Compatibility Review

Information in this review will assist CMIs in the installation of telemetry & data logging devices known as Local Intelligent Devices (LIDs) in NSW. This work was initially undertaken by Parasyn on behalf of the NSW Government and is now managed by Irrigation Australia. 

This desktop compatibility review was undertaken to document the applicable interfaces, including wiring details, to facilitate integration between a range of selected non urban water meters and LIDs. The LID and water meter combinations only considered two interfaces: Modbus and hard-wired signals (including pulses and/or status/alarm) and applied as the particular water meter permits. The following meters have been included in the review:

• Krohne WaterFlux 3070
• Krohne Optiflux 2300C
• Siemens MAG 8000 + 5100W
• Siemens MAG 6000CT + 5100W
• Arad Octave
• Arad WST sb 
• ABB AquaMaster3 FEV2
• ABB AquaMaster4
• Aquamonix - Pentair I500
• Sensus WP-Dynamic
• Euromag MUT 2200 EL + MC608x
• Rubicon Sonaray Pipe Meter
• Mace FloSeries 3 XCi - AgriFlo
• Endress+Hauser Promag W 400
• BIL WPD Water Meter

To download the Integration Guide - Click HERE

How to Make Administrative Changes Via WaterNSW

How to make administrative changes via WaterNSW, is for inactive users who can update their work approval status and remove mandatory metering obligations. As well as for users where the works on the ground do not align with your approval. Video supplied by Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association

Watch this video HERE

Works Approvals and Why They Are Important

To understand WaterNSW Works Approvals and why they are important watch this video prepared by the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association - Click HERE to watch

Funding for Telemetry and Metering in NSW

The Australian and NSW Governments have launched a $36.1 million suite of programs to support uptake of telemetry and metering across NSW.

These initiatives will help realise the benefits of metering and telemetry, create new business opportunities and drive economic growth for NSW.

To read about these opportunities click HERE

Restoring a Works that has Been Made Inactive

WaterNSW advise that the process to restore a works that has been made inactive is:

• The work is not reassessed as it is already approved, albeit inactive, therefore we don’t advertise or need to undertake checks that we would for a new or amended work.

To summarise, the process is:

• the customer submits an application to WaterNSW to make a work active
• provides evidence the work is now metered in accordance with the regulatory requirements; and
• pays the Amend Approval Admin fee, which is currently $253.94, rising to $530.60 on 1 October 2021 (based on the draft IPART determination).

Deadlines Extended for Existing Metering Conditions in 5 Water Sharing Plans

Deadlines extended for water users in the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Richmond, Hunter and Murray and Lower Darling regulated rivers water sources who have condition MW2452-00001 on their works approval.

Know the Rules in NSW

Water users in NSW need to know the conditions on their water access licences and associated approvals to comply with the law. Here’s a short guide from the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) on how to find out about your conditions on the NSW Water Register. Find out more at www.industry.nsw.gov.au/natural-resources-access-regulator/licensing-and-approvals

NSW Approved Telemetry Devices

A list of NSW Approved Telemetry Devices has been designed to assist water users to understand which devices or solutions have been tested and confirmed as meeting the functional and security requirements of the DAS. However, it is the water user’s responsibility to ensure they purchase a fit-for-purpose device that meets their individual needs.

Confirmation email from the DQP Portal and evidence for CPD Points

This confirmation email will be sent to the License Holder and copied to the CMI from the DQP Portal advising that the validation process has been completed and this certificate can be uploaded to MY CPD Points on the IAL website as evidence of the validation.

In-situ meter accuracy procedures guide

A best practice guide for duly qualified persons performing in-situ accuracy testing on non-urban water meters in NSW is available.

The calculators referred to in this guide can be downloaded here:

• Weir discharge uncertainity calculator
• Open channel manual guaging uncertainity calculator
• In series uncertainity calculator
• Transit time uncertainity calculator
• Multibeam HVQ uncertainity calculator
• In-situ meter testing techniques

Local Intelligent Device Integration with Pattern Approved Meters

An Integration (compatability) Guide for LIDS and pattern Approved meters has been prepared.

Interactive Online Tools

The NSW Department of Industry has released an interactive online tool to help water users understand their responsibilities under the NSW non-urban water metering framework

Other useful Documents & Links

• NSW Metering Fact Sheet
• Link to Access the DQP Portal
• Link to the NSW Government Metering Website
• Link to the Water NSW Water Supply Work and Use Approvals
• Link to the NSW Water Register
• Contact the Department by Email
• FAQ Information for Duly Qualified Persons (DQPs)
• Glossary of Terms
• Works Requiring a Meter
• Report to Keep Existing Metering Equipment
• A Best Practice Guide to Installing, Validating and Maintaining Non Urban Meters
• To Find a DQP
• Information on Faulty Meters
• Link to Report a Faulty Meter
• Works Requiring a Meter
• Map of NSW At Risk Groundwater Sites
• NRAR Compliance Approach
• Frequently Asked Questions
• NSW Market Engagement Policy
• Water laws, licences and approvals Fact sheet
• Non‑urban water metering in NSW - What water users need to know

Depending on the type of water authorisation or works you have, you may be required to install a water meter to measure your water use.

Visit QLD Govt Website

The Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering (Version 3.02 - 5 September 2022)

The Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering V3.02 produced by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW) applies to the specification and installation of:

• Module A – Water meters for surface and underground water
• Module B – Water level stations
• Module C – Existing meters for surface water extraction using a small concrete rectangular weir measurement structure

For a summary of Version 3 read the Fact Sheet

The Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering (this standard) applies to the specification and installation of devices for measuring the take of water. This standard applies where water entitlement holders are required to install and validate an approved meter as prescribed by the Water Regulation 2016 (Water Regulation) or as a condition of their water entitlement, and applies to all unsupplemented take where the meter is owned by the entitlement holder.

This standard contains the requirements for the purchase, installation and maintenance of compliant meters under the Australian Standard 4747: Meters for non-urban water supply (AS 4747) and aims to deliver the primary objective of the National Framework for Non-Urban Water Metering, Policy Paper (7 December 2009)

QLD Validation Certificates

Module A – Water meters for surface and underground water

This form Certificate Module A is to be completed by an Authorised Meter Validator for the validation of water meter installations attached to surface water or underground water works extracting water under the authority of the Water Act 2000.

Where a water meter meets the requirements of Module A of the Queensland interim water meter standard for non urban metering (interim standard), the authorised meter validator must give the relevant person a copy of this form as a validation certificate, within 20 business days of an inspection of the water meter.

The relevant person must give a copy of the validation certificate to the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water within 20 business days of receipt of the validation certificate. Where a water meter does not meet the requirements of Module A of the interim standard, the authorised meter validator must provide the relevant person with a copy of this form as a validation notice explaining why, and any potential modifications that could allow the meter to become compliant.

The relevant person or the authorised meter validator may provide a copy of this notice to the department.

CMIs please note: If the meter fails the validation then the CMI must provide a copy of the failed validation certificate to RDMW in accordance with the following declaration

Notice the water meter installation does not comply with the requirements of Module A of the interim standard, and a copy of the notice has been provided to the department. Review actions in this certificate to see why the meter installation does not comply.

Module B – Water level stations

This Certificate Module B is to be completed by a Certified Meter Installer (CMI) to validate metering equipment attached to storage works associated with taking water under the authority of the Water Act 2000.

The CMI must provide the water level station owner a copy of this certificate, the attached checklists and any associated documentation outlined in the checklists within 20 business days after the completing the validation

Module C - Existing meters for surface water extraction using a small concrete rectangular weir measurement structure

This form Certificate Module C is to be completed by an Authorised Meter Validator for the validation of water metering installations using a small concrete rectangular weir measurement structure forming part of surface water works extracting water under the authority of the Water Act 2000.

Where a water meter meets the requirements of Module C of the Queensland interim water meter standard for non-urban metering (interim standard), the authorised meter validator must give the relevant person a copy of this form as a validation certificate, within 20 business days of an inspection of the water meter.

The relevant person must give a copy of the validation certificate to the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water within 20 business days of receipt of the validation certificate.

Where a water meter does not meet the requirements of Module C of the interim standard, the authorised meter validator must provide the relevant person with a copy of this form as a validation notice explaining why, and any potential modifications that could allow the meter to become compliant. The relevant person or the authorised meter validator may provide a copy of this notice to the department.

You must give a copy of this certificate to the department within 20 business days after it has been issued. Contact your local business centre for more information.

Other Useful Links and Information:

• Information on Self Reading of your Non-Urban Water Meter can be found on the Department's website
• Information on Water Meter Validation can be found on the Department Website
• Information on Faulty Meters can be found on the Department's Website
• A Guide for Water metering for Unsupplemented Water in QLD
• Submit Your Meter Reading Online
• Find out about accessing groundwater and licensing and construction standards for water bores.

Water use assessment report

The Water Use Assessment Report is used to record water use for a metered entitlement where the existing water meter is non-operational or where the user has reported a fault with their meter under section 110A of the Water Regulation 2016 and is continuing to use water within the 60 day exemption period. The completed form must be supplied to the department when the meter has been repaired or replaced and a new validation certificate has been obtained.

If you are a water licence holder, the volume of water taken under your licence must be measured using a water meter. As a water licence holder you are responsible for installing and maintaining the water meter(s).

Measuring the volume of water taken through a meter helps water users remain within water allocation limits. This is important for the long-term sustainable management of our precious water resources needed for agriculture, industries, regional communities and water-dependent ecosystems.

Visit SA Govt Website

To lodge a validation certificate in SA - Click HERE

Relevant policies and legislation

All meters must comply with the South Australian Licensed Water Use Meter Specification.

Read the The South Australian Licensed Water Use Metering Policy

The legislative powers and provisions relating to metering licensed water use can be found in the Landscape South Australia (Water Management) Regulations 2020 and the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

SA Have produced a Fact Sheet for CMIs on metering

CMIs can download the SA Validation Certificate and there is also an editable version available.

Frequently asked questions on South Australia’s metering framework

For assistance on submitting a meter reading and for notifying the Department of work or changes to a meter

How to purchase Tamper Evident Security Seals

When a certified person performs a validation on a new or replacement meter, they are required to install security seals on the meter installation. From 1 December 2019, the type of seal to be used must be a South Australian Government badged security seal purchased through Irrigation Australia Limited

Only current CMIs/DQPs and CSVs can purchase seals, click here to login to the Irrigation Australia website (at the top of the home page) and once logged in proceed to Store on the menu and select SA Meter Seals.

Water meters play a vital role in managing Victoria’s water entitlements and enabling compliance with the Water Act 1989. Metering is needed for fair and equitable sharing of water resources and to provide vital information for planning and allocation decisions.

Visit VIC Govt Website

Victorian Non-Urban Water Metering Policy

Tasmanian Standard for Non‐Urban Water Meters

This Standard pertains to the specification, installation, validation and maintenance of non‐ urban water meters in Tasmania. This Standard is to be read in conjunction with the Australian Standard (AS 4747).  

Accounting for your water

Standards for Non-Urban Water Meters

Requirements for metering water use are set out under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Regulations 2000.

The requirements are being introduced over a five-year period and apply to licences:

• with an entitlement of 500 000 kL or more from 31 March 2018
• to all licences with an annual water entitlement from 10 000 kL by 31 December 2020.

The regulations set out requirements for:

• installing and maintaining meters
• providing meter details and regular meter readings to the department.

WA Govt Website

NT Non-Urban Water Metering Code of Practice for Water Extraction Licences

The measurement of water take is an integral part of the administration and regulation of water usage. It underpins the water allocation planning process through which water resources are sustainably managed to meet water use demands and maintain healthy aquatic environments.

Fact Sheet

Reading your water meter

A water meter should provide accurate data on the volume of water being pumped from the resource (groundwater or waterway).

How to read your water meter

Water Meter Installation, Maintenance & Replacement Guideline

The Guideline was modelled on elements of the National Framework for Non-urban water metering1 and the Australian Standard: Meters for non-urban water supply (AS4747).

Download Guideline