The Victorian Water Accounts are a trusted and transparent source of information, providing a comprehensive picture of how Victoria’s water resources are available, managed and used each year.
The release of the 2024-25 Accounts marks 22 years of continuous reporting, with data available through interactive charts, tables and downloadable datasets.
The 2024–25 Accounts tell the story of a particularly dry year across Victoria. Rainfall was below average across most of the state, with parts of central, western and southern Victoria experiencing their lowest rainfall in 50 years.
As a result, water storage levels fell from 82% to 61% during the year. The total volume of groundwater, surface water, recycled water and desalinated water available across Victoria decreased by almost 9,000 billion litres compared to the previous year.
At the same time, total water use increased by around 15% compared to the previous year (but remained well within water allowed under entitlements).
Of the water used during 2024-25:
- 63% supported irrigation
- 19% delivered environmental benefits to rivers and wetlands
- 14% supplied towns and cities
- 2% supplied rural domestic and stock needs
- 2% supported power generation.
Victorian Water Accounts data continues to inform policy, planning and operational decision-making across the water sector. A recent example is the Recycled Water Availability Map, which combines Victorian Water Accounts data with information from water corporations to help councils, developers and businesses identify recycled water opportunities earlier in the planning process.
The Accounts are also helping build water understanding and engagement among future generations. Through a refreshed partnership with the Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria, new curriculum-aligned resources have been developed for Years 7 and 10. The resources include interactive classroom workbooks and a suite of public online water education materials that help students explore how Victoria manages its previous water resources and the challenges facing water systems into the future.
To explore water availability and use in 2024-25, as well as information about water entitlements and water management in Victoria, visit 2024-25 Victorian Water Accounts.
Page last updated: 14/10/26