These Guidelines aim to protect Australians from threats posed by the recreational use of coastal, estuarine and fresh water environments.
These Guidelines are currently being updated by NHMRC’s Recreational Water Quality Advisory Committee. For information on the update of these guidelines see the project summary page.
Publication Data
January 2026: Public consultation on the draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines was open from 15 January to 27 February 2026. Once finalised and published, these guidelines will replace the Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008) and Guidance on Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Recreational Water (2019).
PFAS in recreational water
In 2019 NHMRC released an addendum to the Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water. Guidance on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in recreational water was developed by NHMRC's Water Quality Advisory Committee and recommended for public release by the Council of NHMRC in March 2019. NHMRC's Chief Executive Officer released the Guidance on 12 August 2019.
See also PFAS Guidance for Recreational Water – Frequently Asked Questions.