Apply for a water bore driller's licence

Queensland is part of a national licensing system for water bore drillers. This helps protect groundwater resources by ensuring all drillers are properly skilled and their work meets construction standards.

Water bore drillers must have the correct licence classification and licence endorsements for the construction, decommission or maintenance of water bores and other water bore drilling activities.

List of licensed water bore drillers

Licensed drillers can agree to have their details included on the Queensland list of registered water bore drillers (PDF, 312KB), which is updated at least once a year.

Water bore driller's licence classifications

Driller's licences are classified according to the type of aquifer in which the driller may operate and specify approved drilling methods, also known as licence endorsements. This ensures the skills, knowledge and experience of a driller match the groundwater protection requirements. The classifications are:

• Class 1: permits work in non-flowing (subartesian) single aquifer systems
• Class 2: in addition to operating in Class 1 conditions, permits work in non-flowing (subartesian) multiple aquifer systems
• Class 3: in addition to operating in Class 1 and 2 conditions, permits work in flowing aquifer systems.

Licence endorsements

The drilling method endorsements are for cable tool, auger, rotary air, rotary mud, non-drilling rig and sonic drilling.

Obtaining a water bore driller's licence

To obtain a Queensland water bore driller's licence you will need to:

• pass the relevant National Uniform Driller Licensing Committee examination
• complete the Water Act 2000 examination
• pass the relevant Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee (ADITC) examination for the required class of licence and endorsements
• demonstrate the necessary experience
• undertake a mandatory on-site assessment.

Read the Water bore drillers licensing handbook (PDF, 995KB) for details.

How to apply

To request an application kit email drillers.licensing@rdmw.qld.gov.au. The kit includes the relevant forms, examination notes, copies of construction standards and information on fees and the application process. You will need to provide the following applicant details with your request:

• full name
• postal address
• telephone contact
• email address
• details of what you are interested in (e.g. new licence, amending a licence, renewing an existing licence).

Holders of interstate licences

If you already hold an unrestricted licence issued by another Australian state or territory, you can apply for an equivalent Queensland licence by:

• completing parts A, B, J, K of form W2F021 – Application for a water bore driller's licence or upgrade an existing licence (PDF, 1.1MB)
• attaching a copy of the interstate licence
• attaching 2 references as detailed in Part L of the application form.

Lodging your application

Submit your application form, fee and supporting documents to Drillers.Licensing@rdmw.qld.gov.au.

Alternatively, you can lodge your application via post:

Driller's Licensing
Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
PO Box 156
MAREEBA  QLD  4880

Upon receipt of all required documentation, the department will contact you for payment of the licence fee and organise a suitable time and location to undertake the National Uniform Driller Licensing Committee examination (interview).