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Publications

National Performance Report Handbook

Water and wastewater service providers report annually to the Bureau on a range of performance indicators related to the status of water for cities and some towns. The following resources are provided to support the service providers in collecting and reporting data to the Bureau, including changes being implemented.

Changes to the reporting framework have been developed with input from a review and in consultation with State/Territory agencies. This has resulted in a revised set of performance indicators which are more helpful in assessing the performance of water and wastewater service providers.

• National Performance Report Framework performance indicators and definitions handbook 2023
• Release notes explaining changes since 2018 handbook and timing of changes
• Guidance memo (2024-25 reporting year) for service providers with less than 10,000 connected properties
• Guidance memo (2024-25 reporting year) for service providers with more than 10,000 connected properties
• Guidance memo (2024-25 reporting year) for bulk water authorities

Water Information Statement of Ambition 2023-28

In accordance with its responsibilities under the Water Act, the Bureau collects, manages, interprets, and shares Australia's water data. It provides government, industry, and the community with trusted and reliable water information.

This statement outlines the vision and priorities that will inform the direction of the Bureau's water information functions over the period from 2023 to 2028.

Water Information Statement of Ambition 2023-28

Water Markets Data Standards – Overview of stakeholder engagement and feedback October 2024

On 7 December 2023, the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Act 2023 made changes to the Water Act 2007 (the Act) and the Murray–Darling Basin Plan 2012. Changes to the Act under Part 7A relate to water markets information and include new functions for the Bureau of Meteorology to develop and implement Water Markets Data Standards and to collect, hold, manage, interpret and disseminate water markets information.

Between March and July 2024, the Bureau engaged with 42 organisations across the Murray–Darling Basin, that may have obligations under Part 7A of the Act to report water markets information in accordance with the Water Markets Data Standards.

This report summarises stakeholder feedback provided to the Bureau in workshops on the development and implementation of the Water Markets Data Standards. Feedback from stakeholders will inform implementation of the Water Markets Data Standards.

• Water Markets Data Standards - Overview of stakeholder engagement and feedback October 2024 (3.8MB)

Water markets data standards consultation summary of findings, July 2023

The Australian Government released the Water Market Reform: Final Roadmap Report (the Roadmap) in October 2022. Recommendation 10 of the Roadmap gives responsibility for The Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) to develop and implement a data and systems framework. The framework will give water users access to the water market information they need. It includes:

• a new Water Market Hub – a digital platform for national water data management
• a new Water Markets Website – allowing farmers to access live water market updates for the first time
• a new Water Markets Data Standard (WMDS) – guaranteeing transparency and enforceability of data being provided to the Bureau.

In March 2023, the Bureau commenced consultation with organisations which will be affected by the introduction of the WMDS. We spoke with 15 representative stakeholder organisations in the Murray–Darling Basin. These included Basin state water agencies, Irrigation Infrastructure Operators and water market intermediaries.

This report summarises stakeholder feedback provided to the Bureau in the WMDS consultation workshops.

Good Practice Guidelines for Water Data Management Policy

The Guidelines were prepared under the World Water Data Initiative, on behalf of the United Nations and World Bank High Level Panel on Water.

They are part of global endeavours to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

They are intended to be used by officers responsible for formulating and implementing government strategy to improve water information, with the aim of advancing water policy, planning, management and operations.

Past publications

Information Sheets

enGauge Newsletter

Case Studies

Reports and Reviews

Modernisation and Extension Funding Program