Government Delays Water Markets Information Obligations to 1 July 2027

This decision represents a positive outcome for the broader water market, affording data providers and intermediaries additional time to prepare for the new requirements. The revised commencement date reflects the concerns raised by the Association in its formal submission and through direct discussions with the Water Minister’s Adviser following its November AGM.

The AWBA has consistently highlighted that the original implementation timeframe posed substantial challenges for water market intermediaries, with unclear benefits to market transparency relative to the resourcing and cost burden on members. The decision to delay acknowledges these risks and creates space for a more considered and workable framework.

What is changing

Under the revised arrangements, all water markets information (Part 7A) obligations—Categories 1, 2 and 3—will now commence together on 1 July 2027. As a result:

• Onboarding guidance and support for Part 7A data provision will be rescheduled to align with the new start date
• Publication of trade and pre-trade information on the new water markets website will commence from 1 July 2027

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is currently assessing delivery impacts associated with this change, and data providers may need to revisit internal preparation schedules.

 What is not changing

Support from the Bureau will continue, including access to systems testing. Data providers may still engage with the Bureau to test systems for both water markets decisions (Part 5A) and water markets information (Part 7A) data.

Importantly, water markets decisions (Part 5A) obligations remain unchanged and will still apply from 1 July 2026, including the requirement to report decision announcements to the Bureau. To support this:

• Testing of the Water Data Hub for Part 5A data provision will be available from March 2026;
• Guidance materials and onboarding support will be provided ahead of commencement; and
• Water markets decisions information will be published on the new water markets website from 1 July 2026.

 Water Markets Data Standards

DCCEEW and the Bureau are continuing to refine the Water Markets Data Standards (WMDS) in response to feedback received during consultation on the exposure draft released in October last year. A summary of consultation feedback and next steps is expected shortly, with final standards and guidance materials on track to be published before 1 July 2026. This will provide data providers with at least 12 months’ certainty ahead of the revised commencement date.

 AWBA’s ongoing role

AWBA considers this delay a strong acknowledgment of the issues raised on behalf of its members and the broader market. The Association will continue to work closely with DCCEEW, the Bureau, and other stakeholders to ensure the final framework:

• Improves market transparency in a clear and demonstrable way
• Is practical and proportionate for intermediaries
• Delivers genuine benefits to water market participants

AWBA remains committed to advocating for solutions that support an efficient, transparent, and well-functioning water market, and will keep members informed as this work progresses.