Are you compliant?

Last updated: 7 Jul 2025

Basin State water regulators manage water licence holders in the Murray-Darling Basin. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance can step in when a regulator is unable or unwilling to enforce the law.

How the Inspector-General enforces compliance varies between the Basin State governments and agencies. This is because each have their own tools and targets in tracking water use.

The Water Act 2007 (Cth) defines Basin State governments as including the Australian Capital Territory.

To find out more on how to comply in your catchment, visit your Basin State regulator.

Basin State regulators

Sustainable Diversion Limits

Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL) set the amount of water that can be taken from the Basin.

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance assesses how water managers observe sustainable diversion limits.

Previous year summaries are available to download under Reviews and reports.

These frequently asked questions will help you know whether you are SDL compliant.

Download

Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 93 KB)
Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance: Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX 820 KB)

Water trade

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance has regulatory powers in water trade. Water trade regulation checks that Basin governments and agencies follow the water trade rules.

Records of trades must be accurate and complete. The rules apply to water buyers, sellers and brokers when trading water. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance enforces these rules.

These frequently asked questions will help you know whether you are water trade compliant.

Download

Data accuracy on trade forms (PDF 154 KB)
Data accuracy on trade forms (DOCX 239 KB)

If you have difficulty accessing these files file, visit web accessibility(Opens in a new tab/window) for assistance.

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Everyone in the Murray-Darling Basin can help ensure that the Basin Plan is fair, transparent and sustainable. Join us on the journey.