The Australian Water Partnership

What The Australian Water Partnership does

The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is an Australian Government-funded, non-profit partnership organization established in 2016 and headquartered in Bruce, ACT. It functions as a knowledge broker that matches Australian water-sector expertise with international development requirements across the Indo-Pacific region, operating as a program supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEW). AWP convenes a 'Water for Development' community of 235+ Australian partner organizations spanning public utilities, private consultancies, universities, and research institutions (including CSIRO, Monash University, Griffith University, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, and Deakin University) and connects them with development banks (World Bank, ADB), foreign governments, and regional bodies across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.

AWP's service portfolio is structured around ten Knowledge and Learning Areas — Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), First Nations, Water and Climate, Water Tools, River Basin Planning, Environmental Water, Integrated Urban Water Management, Irrigation and Agriculture, Capacity Strengthening, and Sustainable Development Goals — delivered through a Partner Portal for secure document exchange and Expression of Interest (EOI) workflows, an Events Program (workshops, webinars, World Water Week, Ozwater), and a Resources and Publications library. AWP does not develop proprietary water-modelling software; instead it leverages partner technologies such as eWater Solutions' Source, MUSIC, and Toolkit platforms and Truii's environmental data platform to deliver water resource management outcomes. Active 2025-2026 programs include disability-inclusive climate and water governance curriculum work in the Mekong region (with WaterAid, Cambodian Disabled People's Organisation, Lao Disabled People's Association, and Disabled People's Association of Hanoi) and the Young Water Professionals program with the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA).

The business model is a government-funded international development partnership: AWP does not charge partner fees and earns no commercial revenue from its beneficiaries. Funding flows from the Australian Government through DFAT and DCCEW, with activities aligned to both sustainable development outcomes in the Indo-Pacific and Australian diplomatic objectives. Customers are governmental and quasi-governmental counterparties (development banks, foreign governments, regional organizations), making funder concentration the defining commercial characteristic of the model.

Name

The Australian Water Partnership

Legal name

The Australian Water Partnership

Website

https://waterpartnership.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Australian Water Partnership is a non-profit, Australian Government-funded organization that brokers Australian water-sector expertise to Indo-Pacific governments and development banks through a network of 235+ Australian partner organizations, delivering programs in river basin planning, climate resilience, and inclusive water governance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Water Development Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• International water cooperation
• Water resource management
• Development partnership brokering
• Indo-Pacific water security
• Capacity building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruce

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Development Funding: AWP operates as a partnership program supported by Australian Government funding through DFAT and DCCEW to deliver international development activities focused on sustainable and climate-resilient water resource management in the Indo-Pacific region.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Australian Water Partnership is a non-profit partnership mechanism that brokers connections between Australian water expertise and development needs across the Indo-Pacific region. It mobilises more than 235 Australian partner organisations to deliver knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and collaborative water resource management programs. Core services include partnership matching, convening, thematic knowledge areas, events, and a Partner Portal connecting Australian and regional water stakeholders.

Product overview

The Australian Water Partnership is a partnership coordination organization that facilitates collaboration between Australian water sector expertise and international development needs in the Indo-Pacific region. Rather than a unified software product, AWP operates as a platform of services including a secure Partner Portal for document management, structured Knowledge and Learning Areas covering thematic water management topics, a Resources/Publications library including GEDSI guides and policy briefs, an Events Program featuring workshops and webinars, and a Partnership Matching service connecting Australian expertise with regional demand. The organization does not develop proprietary software products but works with partner organizations such as eWater Solutions and Truii (data management platform) to deliver water management outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Partner Portal Online portal that enables Australian and Indo-Pacific partners to connect, share knowledge, identify collaboration opportunities, and access AWP resources. Designed for water sector professionals, partner country agencies, and Australian experts engaged in international water cooperation.
• Knowledge and Learning Areas Thematic focus areas that convene partners around priority water topics (e.g., water security, climate resilience, sanitation) to support knowledge exchange, learning, and joint programming. Targeted at researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
• Resources and Publications Library Curated collection of publications, reports, case studies, and technical resources produced through AWP programs and partner activity. Made available to water practitioners, partner country governments, researchers, and the broader public.
• Events and Convenings Program Workshops, webinars, conferences, and in-person convenings that bring together Australian water experts and Indo-Pacific partners to exchange knowledge, showcase capability, and foster collaboration on shared water challenges.
• Partnership Matching and Brokering Core brokering service that identifies and connects Australian water expertise with specific partner country or regional development needs, facilitating tailored collaborations between Australian organisations and Indo-Pacific counterparts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 235+ Australian Partner organizations engaged in water resource management expertise sharing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Over 235 Australian PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian water sector organizations including public utilities, private consultancies, universities, and research institutions that provide expertise for international development activities. Partners include organizations with expertise spanning water policy, treatment, management, conservation, and capacity building.
• Circular Economy Alliance Australia Pty LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform for capacity building and expert collaboration in environmental management and sustainability. Specializes in water management, waste management, community involvement, and resource optimization. Has ties with Green Industries SA, World Bank, and UN agencies including UNEP and UNCRD.
• Water Futures Pty LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASH consulting providing literature reviews, Water Safety Plans, Sanitation Safety Plans, risk assessments, and environmental surveillance expertise. Works with WHO, ADB, CDC, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre for Regional and Rural Futures provides expertise in water policy, planning, urban water research, irrigation water management, climate modelling, and sensing technologies. Delivers projects in agricultural and urban water areas.
• Blackwatch Consulting Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecializes in technical and strategic advice to water utilities and private contracting market. Focuses on bringing commercial disciplines to public sector decision-making and organizational design.
• Mara Consulting Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading provider of consultation, communication, social impact and urban design services for water projects including strategic planning, estuary management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Splash Back Solutions Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerData platform for water quality data management with secure data sharing capabilities. Provides sample data structure for effective storage and analysis of long-term water quality data.
• World Wide Fund for Nature AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF-Australia is one of the largest offices in the international network with expertise in conservation and water management. Works on Great Barrier Reef campaign focused on water management and has Indo-Pacific initiatives including Heart of Borneo and Coral Triangle.
• University of Technology Sydney - Institute for Sustainable FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISF partners with water utilities, government agencies, businesses, and donors to create innovative solutions for water resources management. Has expertise in integrated urban water planning, drought response, and water-smart cities.
• Abundant Water Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit organization developing low-cost water filters and social business models for sustainable clean water access in Lao PDR, Nepal, Timor Leste, and Philippines.
• Gregory Neil Oliver - EPM ConsultingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategy, program and governance expertise from 20+ years in senior executive management. Specializes in water and natural resources, environment programs, and climate change adaptation strategies.
• Truii Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerData management platform designed for environmental data projects including water resource management. Provides data collation, wrangling, visualization, and curation capabilities.
• Vilridge Pty Ltd (Indec)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-disciplinary management consulting firm with core competency in asset management. Provides expertise in water sector pricing, institutional arrangements, governance, and resource management.
• DG Consulting (Aus) Pty LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocuses on water policy, planning, resource management, environmental water management, water entitlement reform, and market development. Has extensive experience in Victorian water reform and Murray-Darling Basin.
• Access Water Management Pty. Ltd.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides expertise in water policy development, water planning, institutional reform, and stakeholder engagement. Led NSW Water Commissioner role with experience in privatization of irrigation corporations.
• Murray Wayne Smith - Irrigation and Agribusiness SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSole trader specializing in irrigation, agriculture, catchment management, and water policy. Former CEO of CICL and led Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's national science organization with highest-rated multi-disciplinary research capabilities. Provides water resources assessment, integrated management, and international development support. Has global reputation for successful water reform.
• Monash UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonash Water for Liveability Centre pioneers interdisciplinary research for urban water management. Has attracted over $20M in research revenue and works with 80+ government and industry partners on water sensitive cities.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Australian Rivers Institute with 150+ staff engaged in river, catchment and coastal research. Founded partner of International Water Centre and Sustainable Water Future Programme.
• eWater SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-owned not-for-profit specializing in integrated water resource management tools including Source, MUSIC, and Toolkit. Develops and deploys water modelling tools internationally.
• Frontier Economics Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic consultancy with expertise in market design, industry regulation, and water sector economics. Specializes in water market analysis and policy design.
• John Holland Pty LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarket leader in water and wastewater treatment processes. Has delivered 30 major water infrastructure projects in Australia with capabilities spanning design, construction, and operations.
• BMTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier environmental consultancy with expertise in climate change adaptation, water quality management, and floodplain management. Has international project experience in PNG and Pacific.
• Australian Water Recycling Centre of ExcellencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research organization enhancing water recycling efficiency and acceptance. Manages $42M research program coordinating 40+ projects with 110+ partners.
• WaterAidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene. Partnered with AWP on disability-inclusive climate and water curriculum development in the Mekong region.
• Monash University Water Sensitive Cities AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center working on urban water transitions and governance. Partnered on disability-inclusive climate and water governance curriculum for Mekong region.
• Cambodian Disabled People's OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing persons with disabilities in Cambodia. Co-developing disability-inclusive climate and water curriculum with AWP.
• Disabled People's Association of Hanoi (Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization representing persons with disabilities in Vietnam. Partnering on disability-inclusive climate and water governance initiatives.
• Lao Disabled People's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for persons with disabilities in Laos. Expanded partnership in 2025-26 for disability-inclusive curriculum co-development.
• World Bank GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution providing development funding. Listed as international ally working with AWP on water resource management in Indo-Pacific.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency with which CEAA maintains extensive ties for environmental management and sustainability projects.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN health agency. Water Futures develops climate resilient water safety plan guidelines for WHO WASH and delivers training programs for WHO WPRO.
• Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to equip Indo-Pacific cities with policy frameworks, knowledge, and tools for water resilience in relation to AI and digital infrastructure development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stockholm International Water Institute: Policy institute that convenes World Water Week and produces influential water governance research — comparable in its convening, knowledge-brokering and international development orientation.
• International Water Association: Global membership organization connecting water professionals across disciplines; overlaps AWP's water knowledge-brokering role but on a broader, more membership-driven scale.
• 2030 Water Resources Group: World Bank-hosted multi-stakeholder partnership addressing water security in developing economies — comparable in donor-backed partnership model targeting water-scarce developing-country contexts.

Direct peers

• WaterAid: International NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene with deep Indo-Pacific and Mekong presence; an existing AWP partner on disability-inclusive climate and water work and a comparable institutional donor-funded actor.
• Global Water Partnership: International network organization that mobilizes knowledge and partnerships for integrated water resources management worldwide — the closest direct analogue to AWP's knowledge-broker model, though operating globally rather than Australia-focused.
• Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA): International partnership organization focused on water resilience and climate adaptation, and an existing AWP strategic partner — comparable in mission, network-broker model, and donor-driven funding base.
• Netherlands Water Partnership: Dutch government-backed partnership that brokers Dutch water expertise to international development opportunities, structurally very similar to AWP but anchored in the Netherlands water sector.
• eWater Solutions: Australian government-owned not-for-profit providing integrated water resource management tools; an existing core AWP partner and structurally similar government-funded water NGO.

Regional players

• Water Research Australia: Australia-based water research collaboration that convenes utilities, researchers and government — closely aligned to AWP's domestic Australian partner ecosystem and water R&D focus.

Emerging players

• International Water Centre: Australia-based water capacity-building organization co-founded with Griffith University (an AWP partner); comparable mission in Indo-Pacific water professional development and training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WaterPartnersAU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@australianwaterpartnership5477
• Facebookfacebook.com/australianwaterpartnership
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/waterpartnersau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Australian Water Partnership