Register of Foreign-owned Water Entitlements

What we’ve been asked to look at

This inquiry will examine the effectiveness, costs and benefits of the Register of Foreign Ownership of Water Entitlements. The Register was established in 2017 to provide greater transparency on the level of foreign ownership of water entitlements in Australia.

Read the Terms of Reference

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 by 26 March 2021.

Read the issues paper

Draft report release

The Commission requested further information and feedback following the release of a draft report on 17 August 2021.

The draft report presents the Commission’s preliminary analysis and views on the rationales for the Register, its effectiveness, costs and benefits, and possible improvements, for both its current and future forms.

Submissions were due by 10 September 2021>.

Read the draft report

Final report to Government and release

The final inquiry report is to be handed to the Australian Government by 7 December 2021.

The release of the final report by the Government is the final step in the process.

Under the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt.