Project summary

In 2018, NHMRC commenced an update to the Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008) to reflect current scientific evidence and align the guidance with international best practice. The draft Guidelines have been renamed as the draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines to better reflect the scope of the guidance.

The draft Guidelines were informed by several contracted evidence reviews and adaption of recently published international guidance. The update was overseen by the Recreational Water Quality Advisory Committee.

The review includes public consultation and is consistent with the Commonwealth’s commitment to continue considering evidence and international advice as it becomes available. 

The revised Guidelines are anticipated to be published in late 2026 pending advice from NHMRC Council and final CEO approval.

Current status: Open for public consultation

Stakeholder contact list

NHMRC is creating a contact list to provide stakeholders with updates on the draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. All interested stakeholders are invited to subscribe to the contact list via the form below. NHMRC will use this contact list during the review to communicate with stakeholders, including advising when final publication will occur.

Sign up to our stakeholder list

NHMRC is collecting personal information via this form, from stakeholders who are interested in receiving updates on the review of the Australian Recreational Water Guidelines. This personal information is being collected so that NHMRC can communicate with you about these guidelines. By providing this information, you are acknowledging that your personal information collected will be stored and used in accordance with NHMRC’s obligations under the Privacy Act 1988, and in accordance with the NHMRC Privacy Policy. Further information can be found in NHMRC's Privacy Policy.