Water Licensing
Transferring the holder of a water access licence
LPI application form: Transfer form W-01T
Use a transfer dealing for the following purposes:
- Transfer the holder of a licence to a new holder
- Transfer the holder of a holding in the licence to new holders
- Change the tenancy arrangements between existing holders.
A water access licence or a holding in a water access licence can be sold or transferred as part of a property settlement or as an independent asset.
Consent from the Department of Water and Energy is not required: the transfer (sale) must to be registered (with the consent of security interest holders) with Land and Property Information (LPI) once the transaction is complete.
If you want to use a licence at a new location within the water source specified in the licence, you will need to apply to change the zone and/or nominated work on the licence. Go to Changing a water access licence for more information.
When can the buyer extract water?
The seller may agree to allow the buyer to take water during the period between settlement and registration (the post-settlement period). The seller will need to provide the buyer with written authorisation.
It is up to the buyer to lodge this authorisation with State Water (if the licence is on a regulated river system or major inland groundwater system). This authorisation does not entitle the buyer to sell the licence's water allocation to another licence holder or conduct other dealings during the post-settlement period.
When is the transfer complete?
The transfer of the water access licence is complete and becomes legally effective only when it is registered by LPI. Until this happens, the seller remains the holder of the licence.