We are committed to supporting the sustainable management and productive use of Australia’s water resources.
One of our key functions in water resource management is funding and administrating water programs and initiatives across the nation. This helps to create a sustainable future for Australian environments, communities, agriculture and industry.
In this section
Open programs and initiatives
Find out what programs are currently open including information on available grants.
Continuing programs and initiatives
Find out what established programs are continuing including details on progress and available grants.
Completed programs and initiatives
Find out what programs have been completed including outcomes and benefits.
Supporting outcomes across Australia
Our programs and initiatives support outcomes across Australia. Learn more about each area and the different challenges they face below.
Funding
The Australian Government is funding water programs and initiatives through 2 different arrangements. Each arrangement is used to fund different types of programs to achieve different outcomes. Learn more about program funding arrangement below.
The Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program
The Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP) is a national program investing in rural water use, management and efficiency.
It has been the key mechanism to ‘bridge the gap’ to the sustainable diversion limits (SDLs) under the Murray-Darling Basin
The Water for the Environment Special Account
The Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) funds the recovery of environmental water in the Murray–Darling Basin.
Delivery
Many different government bodies are involved and play different roles in developing and implementing water programs and initiatives across Australia. Further information can be found on the following government agency websites.
Commonwealth
- Murray-Darling Basin Authority
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
- National Water Grid Authority
- Inspector General of Water Compliance
- Bureau of Meteorology
- National Indigenous Australians Agency
State
- NSW – Department of Primary Industry
- QLD – Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
- SA – Department of Environment and Water
- VIC – Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
- NT – Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security
- TAS – Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
- WA – Department of Water and Environment Regulation