Telemetry devices

A telemetry device is a digital device that automatically records and transmits data from remote locations.

When installed and connected to a certified water meter, telemetry devices provide timely and accurate water measurement data, making it easier for water users to monitor water take and manage resources effectively.

Who needs to install a telemetry device

Telemetry devices must be installed on non-urban, surface water meters in the following QMDB water management areas by the specified due dates, listed in the Water Regulation 2016 and below:

  • Telemetry due by 1 December 2026
    • Lower Balonne
    • Condamine and Balonne
    • Upper Condamine
    • Condamine and Balonne tributaries
    • Moonie
    • Stanthorpe.
  • Telemetry due by 1 December 2027
    • Border Rivers
    • Gowrie Oakey Creek
    • Warrego/Paroo/Nebine
    • Upper/Northern/Lower Weir River
    • Callandoon Creek
    • Macintyre Brook.

Subsidy to install a telemetry device

A subsidy is available to support holders of a relevant authorisation (HRAs) in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin (QMDB) to meet their telemetry requirements and covers:

  • telemetry device supply and installation
  • first 12 months of data services and maintenance.

The subsidy covers all upfront costs for the HRA to install a telemetry device. You can review the subsidy information sheet (PDF, 387KB) for more details.

After the first 12 months, you are responsible for ongoing data service and any maintenance call-out costs. Your telemetry supplier will charge you for these costs.

The ongoing data service and maintenance call out costs are set by the approved telemetry installers. Contact the suppliers directly for details of their charges.

The telemetry subsidy is funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and delivered by the Queensland Government.

Accessing the subsidy and arranging installation

To arrange installation of a subsidised telemetry device, contact either:

What happens if I don’t take up the subsidy?

Without the subsidy, you'll need to cover the full costs of telemetry installation yourself.

Telemetry devices for Sunwater customers

If you are a Sunwater customer and you take both supplemented and unsupplemented water through the same Sunwater-owned meter in the following water supply schemes, Sunwater will coordinate telemetry device installations for you. (For this purpose, 'unsupplemented water' means water taken under an authorisation prescribed in Schedule 11 of the Water Regulation.)

Stage 1 - Due 1 December 2026

  • Chinchilla
  • St George
  • Upper Condamine

Stage 2 - Due 1 December 2027

  • Cunnamulla
  • Macintyre Brook

Note: Sunwater owns the meters and will install their compatible telemetry devices.

To discuss your telemetry installation or for further information, phone Sunwater on 13 15 89.

Responsibilities of HRAs with telemetry devices

Once the telemetry device is installed, you are immediately responsible for making sure the device is properly maintained, remains operational and complies with the Water Regulation 2016. You must report any faults to us.

Manual meter reads are still required

Manual meter reads are still required to meet statutory reporting requirements under the Water Act 2000 (even if a telemetry device is installed).

Failure to meet your telemetry requirements is an offence under the Water Regulation 2016.

Who doesn't need to install a telemetry device

HRAs located in other areas of Queensland (outside of QMDB) are not required to install telemetry devices.

If you are exempt from requiring a water meter, you are not required to install telemetry. Read more about who needs to install a measurement device.

Additional information

Benefits of telemetry

  • Telemetry provides access to near real-time water take information. This improves the accuracy and timeliness of water measurement data.
  • Access to more accurate and more frequent water take data supports better water management and planning decisions, such as identifying underutilised water that can be made available for other water users.
  • Better water take data also supports the operation of water markets.
  • Telemetry also supports compliance to ensure water users are meeting their entitlement conditions.

Access to near real time water take data also supports water users to:

  • analyse water use to identify opportunities to improve on-farm operations
  • monitor take against authorisation limits
  • identify whether to buy water or sell water on the water market.

If you have questions about telemetry and other measurement requirements, contact the department at WaterHub@dlgwv.qld.gov.au or use the online enquiry tool.