The Federal Government has introduced the Water Amendment (Water Markets Intermediaries Code and Trust Accounting Framework) Regulations 2025.

As a result, all water markets intermediaries, including Water Partners, are now required to provide additional information to our clients, as well as hold all monies in a dedicated Trust Account.

​The new government requirements are prescribed under the Water Markets Intermediaries Code and Trust Accounting Framework under Part 5 of the Water Regulations 2008 (Cth) and the Australian Consumer Law to ensure transparency and accountability in water markets intermediary services. They were introduced in response to the ACCC water market inquiry that was launched in 2019.

You can read more about the changes, and why they were implemented, by clicking here.

​Phase 1 of the new responsibilities took effect from July 1, 2025 and phase 2 will take effect from October 1, 2025.

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​​​​What does it mean for you? ​

​The government changes mean anybody wanting to trade water in the Murray Darling Basin must now authorise their broker (market intermediary) to a) act on their behalf and b) lodge their trades with a water authority. All brokers must also provide their customers with a statement of their services and obligations, which includes a Complaints Handling policy and obligations to you under the Water Markets Intermediaries Code and the Australian Consumer Law.

To make this process as seamless as possible for our members, Water Partners has created a new Member Authorisation Form (download by clicking here).  Either complete and submit it online or print out and return via mail.

Water Partners encourages all water entitlement owners or authorised agents to return the Authorisation Form by October 1.

Please contact Water Partners via admin@waterpartners.org.au, PO Box 274, Kyabram, Vic, 3619 or on (03) 5853 2333.​​​​