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 2025-26 to 2028-29 period were set with reference to the QCA’s January 2025 Final Report for the Rural irrigation price review 2025-29.

Irrigation pricing discounts

The Queensland Government has made available a 15 per cent discount on irrigation water charges for 2025-26 and 2026-27.

The Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme is administered by Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). You can find details on eligibility and how to access the rebate in this fact sheet.

Please note, Sunwater does not play any role in the administration of this scheme.

Irrigation charges

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

1 Fixed tariffs

Fixed tariffs are charged quarterly or six monthly in advance, according to the water allocation* held by the customer. These tariffs do not take into account the amount of water taken in the year.

Fixed tariffs are known as Part A tariffs in bulk water supply schemes. In distribution schemes, they are known as Part C tariffs and distribution scheme customers pay both Part A and C tariffs.

2 Volumetric tariffs

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

Volumetric tariffs are known as Part B tariffs in bulk water supply schemes. In distribution scheme customers pay both Part B and 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.

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.

More information on Sunwater’s submission is available on the: Irrigation Price Path project page.

For more information on QCA’s review of Sunwater’s submission, visit the QCA website.