New standards and systems
New data standards and systems will be in place from 1 July 2026. These include:
- water markets data standards – improving the transparency and availability of water markets information provided to the Bureau
- water data hub – a digital platform to store and access water markets information
- water markets website – allowing access to near real-time water market updates.
These changes are part of the Australian Government's water market reforms. For more about the reforms, see Reforms, standards and systems on this page.
Latest updates
Have your say on draft regulations and standards
Draft regulations and standards are available for feedback until 5 pm on 26 November 2025 AEDT. This includes the:
- Water Amendment (Water Markets Information) Regulations 2026, developed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
- Water Markets Data Standards (2026), developed by the Bureau.
To give your feedback, visit the water market reform consultation on the DCCEEW website. This consultation will help shape the final legislation, to take effect from 1 July 2026.
Data schemas now available
Water data providers planning to provide information by API, SFTP or manual file upload can now access standard schemas.
The schemas define the structure and format of data in a way that systems can understand and process automatically. They are the machine-readable representation of the data standard and essential for integration. For a copy of the schemas, contact us.
We are also developing an option for providers to submit data in an online form.
Data providers testing new system
Testing of the data provider portal is in progress to make sure the system is robust and ready to go live.
To test the system, data providers involved:
- log in to a test version of the portal
- set up a data feed for the type of data they intend to provide
- submit a test dataset and receive automated feedback on its validity
- activate data feeds and submit as much valid data as possible.
For the providers involved, this is a chance to:
- get hands-on experience with the portal
- identify and fix any issues in their data provision process
- give us valuable feedback to help improve the system.
The test will help us confirm information flow into the water data hub.
Water markets data standards
Data elements nearly complete
The data to be given to the Bureau under the water markets data standards has been separated into data elements. Key stakeholders and data providers have contributed to the list of the data elements. For the list of data elements, contact us.
Engagement
We are working closely with the:
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
- Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC)
- stakeholders affected by the new water markets data reporting requirements in the Murray–Darling Basin.
We have completed 3 rounds of engagement. Our engagement with data providers continues as we finalise the water markets data standards.