Water availability and use
Australians live on the driest inhabited continent in the world. Our variable water supplies are under increasing pressure from nature and from human intervention. Using these resources wisely is the responsibility of all Australians, from governments to individuals.
Water availability
Rainfall in Australia is highly variable from year to year, and season to season. Average rainfall across Australia ranges from less than 200 mm per year in central Australia, to more than 2000 mm per year in some coastal areas in the far north and far south.
On average only 10 per cent of rainfall becomes runoff into rivers or recharge into groundwater aquifers. We rely on groundwater to meet our water needs where surface water is unavailable. Groundwater makes up nearly one-fifth of Australia's 'sustainable' water resources.
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Water use
We use water for everything from bathing and cooking through to irrigating crops and generating electricity. In some cases the water is used in place (e.g. recreational purposes) or is returned to the water supply after use (e.g. hydroelectricity generation). Other uses, such as irrigation and domestic use, consume water and make it unavailable for other uses for a time.
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Water accounting
An understanding of the water we have is important if we want to be able to make decisions to use water in a sustainable way.
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Supply risks
Water supplies are at risk from a range of factors, from climate change through to changes in land use. One aim of water reform in Australia is to minimise these risks and ensure ongoing water supplies.
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- Find out more about climate change