Fees and Charges

Fees and Charges

Water pricing

The Queensland Government sets the prices of irrigation water supplied by Sunwater, based on recommendations made by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).

Prices for the 2020-21 to 2024-25 period were set with reference to the QCA’s January 2020 Final Report for the Rural irrigation price review 2020–24, available here: www.qca.org.au/project/rural-water/irrigation-price-investigations.

Irrigation pricing discounts introduced in 2021-22

From 2021–22 to 2024–25, irrigators supplied with water from Sunwater-owned schemes automatically receive a 15 per cent discount on their bills. The current year fees and charges schedules, listed below, are also reflective of irrigation tariffs less the 15 per cent discount.

For the 2021-22 to 2023-24 period, horticultural growers can apply to receive a further 35 per cent rebate, which are assessed and administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

For more information about the Horticulture Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme see the rebate scheme fact sheet, visit the QRIDA website or call 1800 623 946.

For further information on irrigation pricing discounts view the Irrigation Pricing Discounts fact sheet, visit the Queensland Government website or email irrigationenquiries@rdmw.qld.gov.au.

Irrigation charges

There are two types of charges for irrigation; fixed (Part A and C) and volumetric tariffs (Part B and D).

Fixed tariffs

Fixed tariffs are charged quarterly or six monthly in advance, according to the water allocation* held by the customer, regardless of the amount of water taken in the year.

Fixed tariffs are also known as Part A tariffs in bulk water supply schemes and Part C tariffs in distribution schemes. Bulk water scheme customers pay Part A and distribution scheme customers pay Part A and Part C fixed tariffs.

Volumetric tariffs

Volumetric tariffs are charged per megalitre of water taken by the customer, measured at the water meter or ‘offtake’.

Volumetric tariffs are also known as Part B tariffs in bulk water supply schemes and Part D tariffs in distribution schemes. Bulk water scheme customers pay Part B and distribution scheme customers pay Part B and Part D fixed tariffs.

Other charges

Sunwater also charges some scheme-specific and administrative costs.

*A Water Allocation is a volume of water that entitles the holder/customer to a percentage of that water based on the available water in the scheme dams, weirs or barrages. The percentage of water allocation available to the customer can be as high as 100 per cent or as low as 0 per cent, depending on the level of water storages.

Water supply scheme fees and charges

Each year Sunwater releases an updated fees and charges schedule for each water supply scheme, detailing the charges set by Sunwater and those subject to the Rural Irrigation Water Pricing Direction. For information on the most recent fees and charges for a scheme, please refer below.

Irrigation prices for 2025-26 to 2028-2029

Sunwater submitted a pricing proposal for the 2025-26 to 2028-2029 period to the QCA in late 2023.

For more information on Sunwater’s submission visit: Irrigation Price Path.

For more information on the QCA’s review of Sunwater’s submission, visit: Irrigation price investigation 2025–29