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What is a bulk entitlement?

A bulk entitlement is a legal right to take and use water granted under the Water Act 1989.

Who can hold a bulk entitlement?

Bulk entitlements can be held by water corporations, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and other specified bodies defined in section 34 of the Act.

What rights and responsibilities are granted under a bulk entitlement?

In accordance with the section 43 of the Act, bulk entitlements may specify a range of conditions and obligations on its holder, including:

  • rules about when, where and how much water can be taken
  • rules about how the water can be used
  • rules about the right to a share of storage capacity and share of inflows
  • obligations to release flows for environmental uses
  • obligations to supply primary entitlement holders
  • obligations to contribute to the payment of operation and maintenance costs and
  • obligations to meter, maintain accounts and report.

Where can I access bulk entitlement information?

Bulk entitlement orders are available on the Victorian Water Register.

How are bulk entitlements created?

The Minister for Water can issue bulk entitlements under the Act in 2 ways:

  1. Conversion of a pre-existing right to water into a bulk entitlement (section 47) or granting a new bulk entitlement (section 43).
  2. A potential bulk entitlement holder must apply to the Minister for Water for the conversion or granting of a bulk entitlement. The Minister Water must consider any applications in accordance with the procedures specified in the Act.

Can bulk entitlements be amended?

Yes, under section 44 of the Act bulk entitlement holders can apply to the Minister for Water to amend an existing bulk entitlement.

Can bulk entitlements be traded?

Bulk entitlements may be transferred under section 46D of the Act provided the holder has applied for and obtained approval from the Minister for Water.

Water allocation made available under bulk entitlements may also be assigned to another person under Section 46A of the Act in accordance with trading rules.

Applications to issue or amend a bulk entitlement

When the Minister for Water receives an application for a new bulk entitlement or to amend an existing bulk entitlement, the requirements set out in the Act are followed, including:

  • applications are advertised on the Victorian Public Notices website and on this website
  • depending on the nature of the proposal, the application process may involve consultation with stakeholders and local communities and submissions to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action or the applicant
  • the purpose of this consultation is to identify the potential impacts of the proposal, including any adverse impacts on existing water users and the environment
  • the Minister for Water will consider any submissions received before making a determination on the application and
  • new bulk entitlements or amendments are granted through an order from the Minister for Water or the Governor in Council and published in the Victorian Government Gazette.

Notification of applications

Potential water access for Latrobe mine rehabilitation

Applications received

In line with the Water Act 1989, the Minister for Water has received the following applications:

  • AGL (the Loy Yang mine licensee) has applied for a new bulk entitlement to access water for mine rehabilitation.
  • AGL has also applied to amend its existing Loy Yang A bulk entitlement, to make it clearer when power generation ceases at the Loy Yang A power station, and water will no longer be taken under this bulk entitlement. The proposed amendment would provide for a clearly identifiable power station closure date. The proposed amendment would remove uncertainty and would allow power generators and Southern Rural Water (as the system manager) to plan for the resulting change in system operations.
  • Southern Rural Water has also applied to amend the Loy Yang B bulk entitlement, to make it clearer when power generation ceases at the Loy Yang B power station, and water will no longer be taken under this bulk entitlement.

As part of the statutory process to consider these applications, the Minister invited submissions from the public on the applications via Engage Victoria, the Victorian Government's Online Consultation platform.

Submissions were accepted between 21 October 2024 and 15 December 2024.

Call for further public submissions

The Minister for Water now invites further public submissions on AGL’s application for a new bulk entitlement to access surface water for the water-based rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine.

This consultation is in respect of a specific matter raised in submissions – being the economic value of the water entitlement sought by AGL, and in particular the proposal that a financial obligation – or a ‘price’ – be imposed on the bulk entitlement holder, to reflect the economic value of water for mine rehabilitation purposes.

The consultation launched on ​Wednesday 25 June 2025 and was set to conclude on Tuesday 22 July 2025. The Minister for Water has decided to extend the consultation. Written submissions and survey responses will now be accepted to 11:59 pm Friday 15 August 2025.

Have your say on the economic value of the water entitlement sought by AGL.

Page last updated: 21/07/25