Temporary water prices in Victoria
Current temporary water prices — also called water allocation prices — across Victoria’s Zone 1A (Goulburn), Zone 6 (Vic Murray Above Choke) and Zone 7 (Vic Murray Below Choke). Prices move daily based on supply, demand, and seasonal conditions. For a live quote benchmarked against today’s market, call (03) 5824 3833.
Market data
Recent allocation trades across Victoria.
Recorded transactions from the Victorian Water Register, not indicative quotes. For today's market, call the desk.
Data sourced from the VWR public allocation-market dashboard. Figures are indicative only and may not reflect the price you receive.
What is temporary water?
Temporary water is water allocation traded for use within a single water year — it is the same thing the industry calls a water allocation or temporary trade. When you buy temporary water you are buying the actual water credited to an entitlement this season, priced per megalitre (ML). It does not transfer ownership of the underlying entitlement.
Permanent water, by contrast, is the water entitlement itself — the ongoing right that receives an allocation every year. So a temporary water price is the cost of one season’s water; a permanent water price is the cost of the asset that produces it. See the full breakdown in entitlements vs allocations.
In short: “temporary water price”, “allocation price” and “water price per ML” all refer to the same Victorian market price shown above — quoted in AUD per megalitre and updated from the Victorian Water Register.
What drives water allocation prices?
Water allocation prices in the Murray-Darling Basin respond to five core forces. Understanding each helps buyers and sellers time their trades.
Seasonal allocation announcements
State water authorities (Victorian Water Register, WaterNSW, DEW SA) announce allocation percentages at the start of the water year (1 July) and update them throughout the season. Higher announced percentages typically soften prices; below-average announcements drive prices up.
Supply — storage levels and inflows
Carryover storage in major reservoirs (Hume, Dartmouth, Lake Victoria) sets the physical ceiling for available water. Low storage entering spring compresses supply and pushes allocation prices higher.
Demand — irrigation and horticulture
Demand peaks from October through February when irrigators are actively applying water. Permanent plantings — particularly almonds, wine grapes and dairy pasture — create a price floor because demand cannot easily be deferred.
Carryover
Entitlement holders who carry allocation water from one season to the next reduce the urgency to buy early. Heavy carryover positions into a new year tend to dampen early-season prices.
Interstate trade (IVT)
Interstate water trading allows allocation to move between Victorian, NSW and SA zones subject to Barmah Choke delivery constraints. When IVT is open and the Choke is not constrained, price differentials between zones narrow.
Trading zones
Zone 1A — Greater Goulburn
Victorian allocation zone covering the Goulburn and Broken systems. Dominated by dairy and horticulture demand.
Zone 6 — Vic Murray (Above Choke)
Victorian Murray system upstream of the Barmah Choke. Prices influenced by Victorian allocation announcements and inter-zone trade demand.
Zone 7 — Vic Murray (Below Choke)
Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke. Almonds, wine grapes, citrus and dairy drive seasonal demand.
Where to find water price data
Published water prices reflect recent trade data and may lag actual market conditions by days. For any material purchase or sale, speak with a broker who can provide a live quote based on current market depth.
Price data published by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), the Victorian Water Register and WaterNSW provides the most authoritative public record of completed trades.
Temporary water prices — FAQs
What is the price of temporary water in Victoria today?
Temporary water (allocation) prices in Victoria change daily. The Recent allocation trades section above shows the latest median price per megalitre recorded by the Victorian Water Register for Zone 1A (Greater Goulburn), Zone 6 (Murray Above the Choke) and Zone 7 (Murray Below the Choke). Published figures lag the live market by a few days, so for an exact price before you trade, call the Integra desk on (03) 5824 3833 for a quote benchmarked against current market depth.
Is temporary water the same as a water allocation?
Yes. "Temporary water" is the everyday term for a water allocation traded for use within a single water year — also called a temporary trade. It is the water itself, priced per megalitre, rather than the permanent entitlement that produces it. So a temporary water price and a water allocation price are the same number.
How much does temporary water cost per megalitre?
Temporary water is quoted in Australian dollars per megalitre (AUD/ML) and varies by trading zone and season. In a typical Victorian season it can range from under $100/ML in wet, high-allocation years to several hundred dollars per ML when storages are low and demand peaks over summer. Check the live figures above for current Zone 1A, 6 and 7 medians, or call (03) 5824 3833 for today’s price.
What drives temporary water prices in Victoria?
Five forces move temporary water prices: seasonal allocation announcements from the Victorian Water Register, storage levels and inflows in reservoirs like Hume and Dartmouth, irrigation and horticulture demand (almonds, dairy and wine grapes set a price floor), how much allocation irrigators carry over between seasons, and interstate trade (IVT) limits at the Barmah Choke. Low storages and strong summer demand push prices up; high announcements and heavy carryover soften them.
Where can I see temporary water prices for Victoria?
The most authoritative public record of completed temporary water trades is the Victorian Water Register, which publishes recorded allocation-trade prices by zone. Integra summarises the latest Zone 1A, 6 and 7 medians on this page. Because published prices reflect settled trades and can lag the live market, speak to a broker for a current quote before any material purchase or sale.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent water prices?
A temporary water price is the cost of one season’s allocation — the water you use this year, priced per megalitre. A permanent water price is the cost of a water entitlement, the ongoing asset that receives an allocation every year and is priced far higher because you own it indefinitely. Irrigators managing a short-term shortfall buy temporary water; investors and growers securing long-term supply buy permanent entitlements.
Liz Johnston
Senior Water Broker