Trade of Commonwealth environmental water
Water trading is the process of buying, selling or exchanging rights to water. We trade to move water to where it is needed and to help manage water availability between valleys and years.
Current trade actions
We currently have no open trades.
How to find out when the CEWH will trade
Trades will be announced here at least two days prior to opening. This announcement will include information on the location, volume of water, open and close time and reason for trade.
The CEWH provides a summary of trading intentions quarterly, or more frequently if needed on the CEWO website. This Trade intentions highlights potential commercial trades under investigation and large administrative transfers to meet environmental demand.
You can also subscribe to the CEWO mailing list or join us on Twitter to receive the latest information on Commonwealth environmental water trade.
How to buy water from the CEWH
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How do I submit a bid to buy water allocations from the CEWH?
During a tender open period, all bids to buy Commonwealth water allocations need to be made using the CEWO online bid form.
The online bid form will only become available on the CEWO website during the tender open period. Only bids submitted electronically via this online form will be accepted. This means you must have access to the internet to complete your bid.
What information will I need to complete the CEWO Bid Form?
You can nominate to submit a bid as an individual or on behalf of a company or trust. To complete the form, you will need to provide:
- a Trading Zone to which the allocation for sale can be transferred
- an Allocation Account Number (known in Victoria as an Allocation Bank Account number)
- your Australian Business Number (ABN)
- all contact details of the Allocation Account Holder and the Bidder (if different) including a valid email address via which the CEWO can communicate with you
- bid details (volume sought, price and payment method)
The online form requires declarations to be made and checks some of the details such as the ABN. If the declarations can’t be made truthfully, or any of the checks fail, then the bid form can’t be submitted.
If you nominate an allocation account in SA or NSW, you will also be required to submit the following forms:
| State | Form |
|---|---|
| SA |
Application to Transfer Water Allocation Form (Form A1). This form can be downloaded from the Natural Resources website. If your bid is successful, you will also be required to submit a letter authorising the Commonwealth to submit the South Australian Application to Transfer Water Allocation Form on the allocation account holder(s) behalf. Contact the South Australian Trade Approval Authority for sample wording. |
| NSW |
Application to Assign Surface Water Allocation form (Form 71). This form can be downloaded from the WaterNSW website. If you are part of an Irrigation Corporation you may be required to submit additional trade forms. |
What happens after I have submitted a bid to buy water allocations from the CEWH?
After the sale close time, the CEWO evaluates bids to determine which provide the best return to the Commonwealth. Bids must meet the eligibility criteria described in the Guidelines in order to be evaluated. We will notify most bidders of whether their Bid has been accepted within 2 business days (and no later than 7 business days). All bids submitted are binding once accepted by the CEWH. The CEWO will transfer water to successful bidders as soon as payments have been received. Consistent with the Commonwealth Environmental Water operating rules, full details of the tender will be published following State approval of the last trade at Past trades. For further information please contact 1800 803 772.
How to sell water to the CEWH
To date, the CEWH has not purchased water allocations from other entitlement holders. However, the CEWH is currently investigating how purchasing water allocations could help meet environmental demands and objectives.
Details on how to sell water to the CEWH will become available soon.
Trade rules and legislation
Trade rules and legislation ensures we trade only to protect the environment.
