“Do I need a licence to drill a bore?” is the most common question we get from new clients, and the honest answer is: it depends on where you are, how deep you are going, and what you plan to use the water for. The Queensland framework is more permissive than many landholders assume, but there are still important steps you cannot skip. This guide walks through the regulation in plain English.
None of this is a substitute for confirming the rules that apply to your specific property and your specific intended use. The right way to do that is by checking your local water plan and, if anything is unclear, contacting your local business centre. The aim here is to give you enough background that the conversation makes sense when you have it.
The Short Version
Taking groundwater for stock and domestic purposes is permitted in any part of Queensland without a licence. You still need to check the local water plan, get any required development approvals, and engage a licensed driller for any bore deeper than 6 metres. The driller submits construction details to the department on your behalf.
The Foundation: Groundwater Is a State Resource
Under Queensland’s Water Act 2000, groundwater is a State resource. The water beneath your land is not yours by right of land ownership. Taking it requires legal authority, even when the bore is on your own property. That authority can come from a general exemption (such as stock and domestic use), from a water plan, or from a specific licence depending on the location and the intended use.
Stock and Domestic: The Standard Pathway
The Business Queensland guidance is clear: the take of groundwater for stock and domestic purposes is permitted in any part of Queensland. That covers livestock water and household use on the property where the bore is located. For most rural landholders running a small farm, lifestyle block, or stock property, this is the pathway that applies.
That does not mean there is no process. You still need to confirm a few things up front.
The Pre-Drilling Checklist
Before you commit to a bore
Confirm the authorisations
Plan the bore site
Engage the right people
Where Extra Rules Apply
The standard stock-and-domestic pathway is the simple case. There are areas where additional requirements apply, particularly the Great Artesian Basin and coal seam gas zones, where construction standards are stricter and additional approvals may be needed. Some water plan areas also impose specific rules on take volumes, bore spacing, or licensing thresholds.
Watch Out For
Common things that catch landholders out
Assuming stock-and-domestic covers commercial use
If the water is for irrigation, processing, intensive horticulture, or commercial supply, the exemption may not apply.
Drilling without checking the water plan
Some regional water plans impose specific restrictions even for stock-and-domestic bores.
Engaging an unlicensed driller
Bores deeper than 6 metres must be drilled by a licensed water bore driller. The licence list is publicly maintained.
Forgetting the drill log
Ask your driller for a copy of the drill log when the work finishes. It is essential for diagnosing future problems.
How Darr Drilling Handles the Compliance Side
As licensed Queensland drillers, we handle the regulatory submissions on every job. The construction details, bore log, and any required notifications go to the department as part of the work. We also flag any zone-specific requirements at the quoting stage so there are no surprises mid-build. You can contact us to talk through what applies to your property, or look at our consulting service if you would like a deeper assessment.
