Skip to Content
 Close search

National water reform 2020

Final report has been released


What is an inquiry?

  • Why the inquiry?
  • Issues paper
  • Draft report
  • Final report

What we’ve been asked to look at

Under the Water Act 2007 (Cth), the Commission was required to undertake three-yearly inquiries into the progress of reform in Australia’s water resources sector. This is the second such inquiry. It looked at the progress of all Australian governments in achieving the objectives, outcomes and timelines of reform directions proposed in the 2004 Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (NWI). Practical advice will also be provided on ways in which the NWI might be improved.

Read the Terms of Reference Media release

Issues paper release and initial submissions

The Commission released an issues paper to guide people in preparing a submission. It set out some of the issues and questions the Commission has identified as relevant at the early stage of the inquiry. Participants should provide evidence to support their views, including data and specific examples where possible.

Initial submissions were due 21 August 2020.

Read the issues paper

Draft report release

A draft report was released on 11 February 2021 for further information and feedback.

This draft report assesses the progress of the Australian, State and Territory governments towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative (NWI), and provides practical advice on future directions for national water reform.

Submissions were due by 24 March 2021.

Read the draft report

Final report to Government and release

The final inquiry report was handed to the Australian Government on 28 May 2021 and publicly released on 2 September 2021.

The report assesses the progress of the Australian, State and Territory governments since 2017 towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative (NWI). It also provides practical advice to Australian governments on future directions for national water reform through renewal of the NWI.

Read the inquiry report Media release

Spread the word

 Post on Facebook

Search related topics

Agriculture Climate Environment Policy Regulation Water

All completed inquiries