Every four years, the Tasmanian Economic Regulator conducts an investigation to determine TasWater's prices and service standards for the next four years. As part of the 2026 investigation, the Economic Regulator reviewed TasWater's proposed Price and Service Plan, sought independent expert advice and consulted with customers and stakeholders before making an assessment of whether TasWater's proposed expenditure program was prudent and efficient.
The Economic Regulator released its Final Report and Price Determination on 30 April 2026. This set the maximum prices TasWater can charge and the minimum service standards it must meet for the period of 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2030. TasWater was then required to update its Price and Service Plan to reflect the Economic Regulator's decisions.
The Economic Regulator has reviewed and approved TasWater's revised Price and Service Plan. The new prices and service standards will come into effect from 1 July 2026, and apply until 30 June 2030.
TasWater's Approved Price and Service Plan
TasWater's approved Price and Service Plan for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2030
Economic Regulator's Final Report and Price Determination
After reviewing TasWater's proposal, the Economic Regulator has set an annual price increase of 5.7 per cent - about half of what TasWater proposed. In addition, the Economic Regulator has also approved:
- TasWater's proposed capital works program, with the assumption that the delivery of some projects will extend into the early years of the following regulatory period;
- a new fixed and variable charging approach for sewerage services; and
- a moderate increase in proportion of usage-based charges in customer bills.
These decisions were shaped by strong public feedback, independent expert reviews, and the Economic Regulator's analysis of TasWater's proposal.
The Economic Regulator acknowledges that investment is needed to meet TasWater's compliance obligations and address legacy challenges associated with the performance of TasWater's assets. The Economic Regulator has sought to strike a careful balance between affordability for customers and the need for sustained investment in water and sewerage infrastructure.
The Economic Regulator determined that it is not prudent and efficient for TasWater to attempt to deliver its full capital expenditure program in a single four-year regulatory period. Instead, the Economic Regulator has assumed that the delivery of some projects will extend into the years of the sixth regulatory period.
Key documents:
The Economic Regulator also intends to commence a review of TasWater's regulatory framework in the coming months.
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 final decisions:
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
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