The Tasmanian Economic Regulator is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the maximum prices TasWater can charge for regulated water and sewerage services during the fifth regulatory period (1 July 2026 – 30 June 2030).
This process aims to ensure that prices reflect efficient service delivery costs, and support TasWater in meeting its service obligations to customers across Tasmania.
Have your say
The Economic Regulator has released its Draft Report and Proposed Price Determination, including draft prices and service standards for the next four years.
The period of public consultation on the Draft Report ended on 13 March 2026.
TasWater's Proposed Price and Service Plan
TasWater proposed to invest around $2.8 billion over four years, compared to $1.7 billion in the current period. This level of expenditure would lead to an annual price increase of 11.5 per cent for customers.
TasWater has proposed deferring some of that increase into the next period and is seeking approval for annual price increases of 8.8 per cent over the next four years.
View TasWater's proposed price and service plan here -
Economic Regulator's Draft Report and Proposed Price Determination
The Economic Regulator's draft decision is to approve an average annual price increase of 4.3 per cent from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2030.
The Economic Regulator recognises the need for TasWater to invest in its infrastructure. However, it considers that it is not prudent to attempt to deliver all of the proposed projects in the next four years. Its draft decision is to extend the delivery of TasWater's capital expenditure program over two regulatory periods.
Key documents:
Fact sheets
Economic Regulator's draft decisions:
TasWater's proposal:
Overview of the investigation:
Key Milestones
- 1 October 2024: Regulator releases Notice of intention to conduct the investigation and the Price and Service Plan Guideline
- 30 June 2025: TasWater submits its proposed Price and Service Plan
- 2 February 2026: Regulator releases the Investigation Draft Report and Proposed Price Determination for public consultation
- 13 March 2026: Public consultation closes
- By May 2026: Regulator releases the Investigation Final Report and makes the Price Determination
- June 2026: Regulator approves TasWater's Final Price and Service Plan after confirming that it complies with the Investigation Final Report and Price Determination
- 1 July 2026: Regulator approved prices start.
Stay Informed
To receive updates or participate in future consultations, please subscribe to our mailing list or contact us at office@economicregulator.tas.gov.au.